A Carlow College researcher, Dr John McHugh, has been awarded funding from the Health and Social Care Professional (HSCP) office, on behalf of the HSE, to undertake a Pilot study into ‘Long-arm’ supervision, with particular reference to Social Care.
The funding award of €20,000 was announced as part of prioritised funding to enhance supports in practice placements for students on HSCP programmes.
Expanding capacity for Student Practice Placements
The research project aims to explore the feasibility of ‘long-arm supervision’ where an appointed qualified professional would support an organisation to host a student placement, where such a placement would otherwise not have been able to happen.
As Programme Director for the BA and BA (Hons) in Applied Social Studies (Professional Social Care) at Carlow College, lead researcher Dr John McHugh is acutely aware of the high demand of practice placements and the increasing demand for HSCP graduates, stating “identifying a suitable model for expanding the capacity for practice placements would have an immediate and tangible impact on the facilitation of increased numbers of HSCP graduates in Ireland”.
“As a newly regulated and growing profession, students need to be able to gain practice experience in emerging areas of practice, whilst at the same time have a strong reference point to the core proficiencies and responsibilities of Social Care Work” John says.
Preliminary research has begun and the research project will continue with exploration of models in use in other professional areas, and feasibility and pilot- study over the coming year.
Supports for Practice Education
In 2023, the HSCP office prioritised funding for Practice Education with the National HSCP Office seeking input regarding immediate supports and resources required to support practice placements for students of HSCP programmes. The aim being stabilising existing practice placement capacity and increasing practice placements, to increase numbers of HSCP graduates through additional targeted measures and resources.
