This handbook has been created as a website resource to support the role of external examiners on Social Work qualifying programmes in England Northern Ireland Scotland and Wales.
Higher education institutions (HEIs) approved to offer the Social Work degree at undergraduate and postgraduate levels are required to appoint at least one external examiner. External examiners are directly recruited by the HEI according to criteria specified by the HEI itself and the relevant national regulator. They may be Social Work academics and/or practitioners. The standard of qualifying training for social workers benefits from the high levels of expertise and experience of external examiners and it is important to secure this supply into the future.
This handbook will be of use to external examiners (both those new to the role and those with experience) to heads of department assessment co-ordinators and chairs of examination boards as well as staff working in stakeholder and partner organisations. It does not replace formal documentation or guidance produced by HEIs for external examining or that set out by the any of the four UK social work regulators about their requirements or annual monitoring arrangements. It builds on the contributions of experienced external examiners to qualifying programmes at events held to support them in their role.
