Competency-Based Assessment for Supervised Pastoral Ministry: insights from training of Social Workers

The presentation is to examine insights from the training programs for Social Workers that may be of use for a rethinking of the assessment profile for SCD Supervised Ministry units

The Catholic Institute of Sydney offers two Supervised Pastoral Ministry units for ministry students in their latter stages of their study. The first is a 9-point unit; Supervised Pastoral Ministry (Parish) P7271 and the second is an 18- point unit Supervised Pastoral Ministry (Hospital) P7378. The second unit builds on the first unit.

In the light of critical reflection on teaching both units over a five-year period it has become clear that the current SCD Curriculum Objectives and Learning Outcomes for P7271 and P7378 do not offer adequate criteria to assess competency for ministry.

Learning Outcomes for P7271 are

1. identify features of the support systems necessary to maintain ministry settings
2. demonstrate an understanding of the issues involved in interacting within the mentoring and classroom situation
3. incorporate the supervisory process and personal journaling as a means of self-evaluation
4. demonstrate practical involvement and initiative in the process of practical church ministry
5. appreciate the process of being mentored as a means of personal growth

Learning Outcomes for P7378 are

1. Distinguish the different ways in which people respond to their experience of illness or personal crisis
2. Identify their personal strengths and challenges within the context of a ministry placement
3. Articulate the role and utilise the experience of pastoral supervision
4. Use peer group and individual supervision to evaluate the effectiveness of their ministry
5. Demonstrate an integration of theology and practice in a ministry context

The following list of Competency for Social Workers comes from Boston University Department of Social Work https://www.bu.edu/ssw/academics/msw/competencies/

• Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behaviour
• Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
• Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
• Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice
• Engage in Policy Practice
• Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
• Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
• Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
• Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities