Thursday 30 th November 2006 Teaching & Learning Workshop Group C Prac Placements/Workplace Learning

PRAC PLACEMENTS / WORKPLACE LEARNING Are real world learning environments and students with disability mutually exclusive? Are real world learning environments and students with disability mutually exclusive? The complexities of arranging effective practicum placements or work place training are something that all providers struggle with to varying degrees. This Workshop will explore: Occupational Health And Safety and Duty of Care issues Occupational Health And Safety and Duty of Care issues defining the responsibilities of the stakeholders defining the responsibilities of the stakeholders providing inclusive learning environments in the workplace providing inclusive learning environments in the workplace concerns relating to impacts on productivity in the workplace concerns relating to impacts on productivity in the workplace

“Educational and disability support collaboration to overcome field practicum barriers” Liz Shanley & Val Clark

Educational and disability support collaboration to overcome field practicum barriers Val Clark and Liz Shanley The University of Newcastle

Overview of presentation  Our roles – University of Newcastle  Social Work field education  Disability and field education  Collaborative practice  2 brief examples  Conclusion

Our roles  Val – Lecturer in Social Work - classroom learning - support individual students - assessment of academic work - establish, support & assess field placements

Our roles (cont.)  Liz – Disability Liaison Officer - assistance to students with disabilities: practical, emotional support, advice, advocacy - consultant to academics and university management re disability issues. NB: DLO is not assessor - therefore students can sometimes be more candid - DLO can assist to draw out problem areas and negotiate difficult issues

Social Work Field Education  Core for all accredited BSW programs  3 x placements of 50 days / 350 hours  Wide range of health / welfare govt. / non govt. agencies  Supervision by qualified social work practitioner – ”Field Educator“

Social Work field education (cont.)  Professional practice standards, competencies, values & ethics, theory/practice integration, communication, self awareness, etc.  Learning Plan – agreements between student, agency and university – goals, tasks and assessment strategies.  Ongoing assessment and key assessment points – mid and end.

Disability and field education  Same issues as for all students embarking on a field placement  Additional issues for the student with a disability  Disability issues for the field educator / agency  Disability issues for the assessor

Collaborative practice  Field education - 3-way partnership - student, University & field educator/agency  DLO ensures student is supported and ‘reasonable adjustment’ is made

Collaborative practice (cont.)  Individualised  Problem solving  Support to both students and field educators  Developmental – amount and type of support changes over time  Stages – pre, during and post placement

Example 1  Pre placement negotiation Discussion with student Identification of possible suitable agency Discussion with field educator / agency Agency visit and problem solving

Example – 2  During placement Arising concerns re student performance Exploration of disability issues impacting on student + agency barriers Student task to learn to manage their disability issues – end aim to produce competent professionals

Example 2 (cont.)  Post placement Student disclosures: 1. “Invisible” disability - anxiety 2. Student rights re privacy 3. Support in coming to terms with “failure”

Conclusion  DLO & academic collaboration provides enhanced support for students in field education  Anything & everything happens in the ‘real’ world – we need to be flexible and responsive to situations as they arise  Field education is preparation for workforce participation  A student with a disability needs opportunities to learn how to be a professional with a disability