Students and staff of Carlow College, St. Patrick’s gathered for the local launch of the recently published book Social Care Practice Placement: An Essential Guide, co-authored by Dr John McHugh, Programme Director of Social Care at the college, alongside Áine de Róiste and Aoife Prendergast. This practical guide is designed to support social care students, placement supervisors, college tutors, and field practice educators in navigating the complexities of practice placements.
Dr John McHugh emphasised the importance of the book, stating, “This is an essential book as it examines the skills, competencies, and knowledge required for students to successfully prepare for, complete, and reflect on their practice placement experience. It encourages students to examine specific areas of placement learning and provides practical activities and tasks to direct their learning in professional practice.”
Firmly rooted in the CORU Standards of Proficiency for Social Care Work, the guide bridges academic theory and practical application. It addresses key areas such as applying theory to practice, developing reflective skills, achieving proficiency standards, and completing placement-related assignments. Divided into three sections, the book explores professional development, reflective practice, human rights-based approaches, and evidence-informed care, as well as the importance of supervision, relationship-building, and developing a professional identity.
The book’s authors bring significant expertise to the field, with each contributing from their extensive backgrounds in social care education. Dr Áine de Róiste, a senior lecturer at MTU Cork, specialises in social care and psychology research. Dr John McHugh has focused his research on professional identity, learning in practice, and social care development at Carlow College. Aoife Prendergast, who oversees practice placements at TUS Midwest, brings hands-on experience in coordinating placements and social care practice.
Dr Margaret Murphy, Vice-President and Registrar at Carlow College, officiated the event, praising the book’s relevance and its value for the evolving field of social care education in Ireland. ‘This is an important and timely publication which should be essential reading for students and teachers in Social Care departments. It is clearly structured and accessible throughout. The authors, including our own Dr John McHugh, have between them a very substantial body of experience in the topic and this is evident in every chapter of the book. Furthermore, there is a very marked emphasis on the development of social care workers who are not only competent but compassionate and empathetic.’
Social Care Practice Placement: An Essential Guide is now available through Boru Press or local bookshops for €36.99. For more details or to order a copy, visit www.borupress.ie/bookshop. The book can also be purchased from the college library.
