ABSTRACT
Key factors in the sense of crisis in social work education have been the pace and nature of change during the 1990s, and the growing sense of unease with its direction. Inextricably linked to the effective implementation of new policies, structural arrangements and practices is the resourcing of the subject area. This has both qualitative and quantitative dimensions. Placements are an increasing source of concern within social work education, virtually outside the control of those responsible for course delivery. Social work programmes at qualifying level must provide all students with two supervised practice placements which provide the basis for assessment of the student's professional competence. Questions arise about the availability and use of the academic staff resources within the institution to develop and deliver new programmes, and engage in other areas of professional and academic activity. The wide variations in the size and composition of departments or units obviously have implications for the nature and quality of the student experience.
