Social Work Teaching Partnerships (SWTPs) are collaborations between Higher Education Instituions (HEIs) and local authorities that aim to enhance the education of aspiring social workers, and the professional development of those already practicing.
SWTPs were introduced by the Department for Education (DfE) to improve the overall quality of practice, learning and continuing professional development. Each partnership's constituent organisations work together to integrate both theory and practice into learning and teaching, ensuring that graduates have a well-rounded knowledge of social work.
London has six Social Work Teaching Partnerships:
The foundations we have laid and the networks we have established give us the opportunities we need to secure continued excellence and innovation in the training, professional development, career development and wellbeing of our social worker The Department for Education’s final evaluation report of Social Work Teaching Partnerships (2020) found that [they] had formalised collaborative working and been a catalyst for cultural change in the way partners work together. - Ian Dodds, Director of Children’s Services, Kingston and Richmond (Achieving for Children)