Newsletter
Practice Development Team (PDT)
Find out more about Extern's Student Placements and Practice Development Team
As the leading provider of social work placements in the voluntary sector in Northern Ireland.
Extern plays a significant role in assisting university students to get their careers started in this challenging but rewarding sector across Northern Ireland.
Central to this is Extern’s Practice Development Team (PDT), which provides training services to our staff across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Extern’s Practice Learning Centre is contracted by NISCC to provide Practice Learning Opportunities for students completing the Degree in social work in a range of higher education providers across Northern Ireland.
The team currently has five full time staff all of whom have frontline social work and social care practice experience across sectors.
The Practice Development Team is responsible for co-ordinating and delivering all mandatory staff training, as well as advising on policy and practice, across NI and ROI
Internally, in Extern Northern Ireland, the Practice Development Team co-ordinate and deliver all mandatory staff training, while the HR Learning and Development Training is co-ordinated and delivered on an all-Ireland basis
What you can expect...
Trauma-Informed Approach
Our commitment to trauma-informed care is at the heart of our organisation. We believe that understanding and responding to trauma is essential in social work practice as well as effectively supporting staff to engage in professional development.
Individualised Support
We value the uniqueness of each student and colleague. Our programs provide individualised support, valuing individual learning needs and the importance of a flexible, accessible approach informed by Adult Learning theories
Community and Collaboration
We aspire to develop a sense of community among our students, staff, volunteers, and Internationally Qualified Social Workers. Collaboration and mutual support are central to our ethos, strengthening our services across Extern.