North London social work teaching partnership practice educator research project

This research project is funded by the North London Social Work Teaching Partnership (NLSWTP). NLSWTP comprises six local authorities, Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey and Islington Councils, the charity Norwood, and Middlesex University. The project aims to explore the experiences of Practice Educators (PEs) working in the partnership. Across the sector in adult social care and child and family social work there is an issue of identifying and supporting existing PEs, so that once qualified as PEs they remain as active PEs. Despite being essential for the development of students joining the profession and security of the future workforce, the recruitment and training of PEs to support the social work workforce has also been a challenge. Considering these points, this research is intended to learn about the experiences of current PEs, reasons why some do not continue in the role over the longer term, and how best to support PEs in the interests of increasing retention