Practice-based Learning is a regulatory requirement from both the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) and the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) in order to gain a professional qualification in either Social Work or Occupational Therapy. Falkirk hosts student placements in order to support our existing and upcoming workforce with their professional development.
Please contact dean.mcgrandles@falkirk.gov.uk and Vivian.fitzsimmons@falkirk.gov.uk if you have any questions or feedback about practice-based learning in Falkirk. Practice Educators should also make contact with Coordinators if any resources are needed.
If you are interested in getting involved in Practice Learning please fill in this form.
Meet the Team
Vivian Fitzsimmons
I qualified as a social worker in 1999 from Edinburgh University and have worked in both adult care and children and families in Edinburgh and Falkirk.
I completed my practice education qualification in 2001 from Dundee university and subsequently supervised and assessed students from various Universities across the Central belt. I have worked in Learning and development as practice assessor coordinator for over 15 years.
My areas of interest include attachment theory & its relationship with supervision particularly when considering the importance of the relationship & providing a non-critical context.
Dean McGrandles
I qualified as a Social Worker in 2017 from the University of the West of Scotland. I have worked in Children & Families services and Adult Services in Falkirk, Fife, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
I completed my Practice Education Qualification with Stirling University and joined the Workforce Development Team in 2024 as a Practice Learning Coordinator.
My areas of interest include maximising capacity, participation and co-production with the people we work with, and the legislative & policy-base within social work.
Social Work
If you would like to become part of a Student’s Learning Team please have a look at the Becoming part of the Social Work Learning Team in Falkirk guidance. This explores how you can develop your mentorship skills, as well as the process for becoming a Link Worker and Practice Educator.
For Social Work Students joining Falkirk Council please find a Pre-Placement checklist and Induction Template.
Social Work Practice Learning is regulated by the SSSC based on the Standards in Social Work Education and Ethical Principles and the Codes of Practice.
Practice Educators and Link Workers meet quarterly to network and share experiences of teaching and learning in Falkirk. You can find out more information on dates and locations for the Practice Educator & Link Worker’s Forum.
Occupational Therapy
If you would like to become part of a Student’s Learning Team there will be guidance produced shortly on Becoming Part of the Occupational Therapy Learning Team. This will explore how you can develop your mentorship skills, as well as the process for becoming a Practice Educator.
For Occupational Therapy Students joining Falkirk Council please find a Pre-Employment Checklist & Induction Plan.
Occupational Therapy Programmes in Scotland coordinate their placements centrally and a timetable of placements can be found here; Occupational Therapy Combined Placement Dates (2025-2026).
Practice Educators meet quarterly to network and share experiences of teaching and learning in Falkirk. You can find out more information on dates and locations for the Practice Educator & Link Worker’s Forum.
Occupational Therapists also have a dedicated Workshop held quarterly to discuss practice issues, share learning, and network with colleagues. You can find out more information on dates and locations for Occupational Therapists Workshops.
Students
We recommend all Students read over the Learning in Falkirk guidance as this gives an overview of the student practice based learning process.
All Students are welcome to attend the Student Learning Hub that meets every 6 weeks.
Practice-based Learning Placements will require Students to be assessed while they work alongside experienced colleagues delivering a Social Work Service. For information on travelling around Falkirk Council please read the Travelling around Falkirk Guidance for Students.
Career Development
Falkirk Council offers colleagues the opportunity to gain their professional qualifications in Social Work. These are sponsored with the Open University and funded by Falkirk Council. Colleagues can find out more information by looking at the Sponsored Study in Falkirk guidance.
