Livewell Southwest logo

News

Success for two Livewell social workers as they qualify as practice educators

by | 26th September 2019 | News

Trainee social workers on placements at Livewell Southwest will be given additional support after recent success for two of the organisation’s social workers.

Katy Else and Monica Jecha are celebrating after recently qualifying as practice educators.

The new qualification means that Katy and Monica can support students on their journey to becoming social workers alongside Livewell’s four other social work practice educators.

They were presented with certificates to recognise their achievement at a celebration hosted by Ian Lightly, Head of Integrated Community Services, Kerry Dodd, Livewell’s Principal Social Worker, and Julie Waite and Lawrence Badman – Livewell’s Practice Teachers for adult social care.

Both Katy and Monica were students with Livewell – the social enterprise delivering health and adult social care services across Plymouth – before becoming qualified social workers and now practice educators.

Presenting their certificates, Kerry said: “You have both worked really hard over the last 12 months to gain the General Certificate for Professional Education and this is a massive achievement.

“It’s not easy to study while working and you are both fantastic ambassadors for the organisation. I would also like to acknowledge Julie and Lawrence for their guidance and professionalism in supporting you.”

Julie added: “We are very proud of Monica’s and Katy’s achievement. They have worked hard to achieve their Graduate Certificate in Practice Education at Masters level alongside their social work role. Well done to you both.”

Katy and Monica will also receive certificates from Bournemouth University, where they completed the year-long programme which was funded by Livewell.

As part of their course, Katy and Monica had to each support a student during their placements by supervising, teaching, observing and assessing students, as well as attending workshops and submitting assignments.

They will now each continue to support students alongside their roles as social workers.

Katy, who works in the West team, said: “I just think it’s really amazing to work with students. They are the next generation of social workers so I want them to have the best possible experience and inspire them as much as they inspire me.

“Continuing to learn is really important for Livewell, for social care and the future. That’s why I enjoy it and want to do it.”

This year, Livewell is supporting eight student social workers from Plymouth University in placements across different teams.

Monica, who works in the safeguarding team, added: “It’s been a wonderful experience, there were of course some challenges but we were able to overcome them thanks to the wonderful support from Julie and Lawrence, I hope we can fill their shoes one day.

“It was really inspiring and motivational not just for me but hopefully the students too.”