Training actors: a primer for social work educators working with standardized clients (SCs) in classroom simulations

Classroom simulations using human actors as simulated clients (SC) have been proven effective in enhancing social work education and pedagogy. Beyond acting, carefully trained actors are critical members of the teaching team who contribute directly to the overall effectiveness of simulation-based learning through feedback and interactions with students. Despite their significant influence on student experiences of simulation, however, the processes of recruiting, hiring, training and supporting actors for effective involvement are not clearly captured in the social work literature. As a group of social work educators committed to simulation-based learning in clinical social work classrooms, we understand the value of trained actors and rely on their expertise and skill for the success of simulation activities. This article draws on foundational social work simulation literature, describes our teaching team's experience working with actors, and shares practical tools for training SCs in a social work simulation program. We aim to map this process to elicit further discussions about actor training and support and detail our process of recruiting and hiring, training, and maintaining relationships with actors.