Practical learning: achieving excellence in the human services

January 23-25 2008 Edinburgh International Conference Centre

Creative practice and research synergies: changing lives through mentoring and listening to the voices of potentially excluded learners

Keywords: potentially excluded learners, mentoring, supported access, synergy, listening to voices

Authors: Dr Dina Sidhva (Multi-Cultural Family Base); Nasra Bibi (Multi-Cultural Family Base); Mo McPhail (Open University); Cathy MacNaughton

Abstract:
This workshop will explore how creative synergies between practice and research can be utilised to foster and promote access to social services' qualifying programmes for potentially excluded learners; through BME mentoring and language services. In particular it will look at how the BME Mentoring pilot project was rooted in evidence based research by Singh (1999 and 2005) that demonstrated the value of individual and group support and the need for social work education providers to build relationships with local Black voluntary organisations and to provide mentoring support to facilitate access.
It will focus on how the practice and research synergy provided the impetus for giving a voice to individuals from marginalised groups, such that they are able to bring about some change in their lives, by creating opportunities and pathways to participate in a social-services workforce that is better equipped to meet their needs.
The Aims of the Workshop are to explore, share and develop a deeper-understanding of the power of practice and research synergies in understanding and working with 'Inclusive practice', 'listening to the voices of potentially-excluded-learners and bringing meaningful change in their lives', 'creative partnerships', 'Cultural Diversity', 'Widening Access', 'BME-Mentoring and ADP' against the backdrop of "Changing Lives: 21st Century Review".

Contribution:
This presentation will explore how creative links between practice and research were utilised to foster and promote access to social services' qualifying programmes to potentially excluded learners; through BME mentoring and language services. It will be of interest to a wide range of audiences: practitioners, educators, researchers and policy makers because it uses the voices of potentially excluded learners themselves to describe the process of change brought through the synergy between research and practice.

Date: Thursday 24 January 2008, 11.30-12.30

Venue: Harris Two

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Organised by the Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services in association with PEPE (Practical Experiences in Professional Education).