BSW Beginning and Surviving Placement School of Social Work

Field Office Contacts Renita Wong, Acting Directo of Field Education Zalina Mohamad, Assistant Field Education Coordinator – BSW Sheryl Abraham, Assistant Field Education Coordinator – MSW Esther Ng, Practicum Office Assistant

Practicum Particulars MUST register for practicum by September 26, 2010 –Enrol in AP/SOWK Y and AP/SOWK Y MUST have completed 700 hours at the placement site by the end of April in order to convocate in June. –REMEMBER TO APPLY TO GRADUATE THROUGH THE REGISTRAR’S WEBSITE: If you will not complete all of your hours by the end of April, you must contact your Faculty Advisor and the Field Office to request a deferral

Practicum Particulars Calculate your hours carefully –Lunch, Sick Time or Statutory Holidays are NOT included in placement hours The time to complete 700 hours is very tight – you may be required to put in extra hours at the agency in order to complete placement by the end of April. PLAN YOUR HOURS ACCORDINGLY

Practicum Particulars Direct Entry Students are required to be on placement 3 FULL days per week Post Degree Students are required to be on placement 2 – 5 FULL days per week Familiarize yourself with the BSW Practicum Manual: –

Uncertainty & Opportunity Fears about placement Transforming fears into learning opportunities Open communication with Field Instructor

Purpose of Practicum Significant learning Translating theory into practice Opportunity to engage in reflective practice Logbook (keep a log of your hours and what you have done)

Components of the Practicum Integrative Seminars Learning Contract Mid-Point Progress Review Final Evaluation Student Evaluation of the Placement Log of Hours

Integrative Seminars Four (4) Integrative Seminars Attendance is MANDATORY (Requirement of placement – can fail if you don’t attend) Must attend even if during placement hours Compliments learning in placement Reflective practice paper

The Learning Contract Completed in first 3 weeks of placement Joint effort between student and field instructor Living Document: can change over time Use to assess learning Active learning Responsible for learning SUBMIT TO FACULTY ADVISOR

Mid-Point Progress Review Completed roughly halfway through placement (~350 hours) Joint Effort CHECK POINT SUBMIT TO FACULTY ADVISOR

Final Evaluation Joint process SUBMIT TO FACULTY ADVISOR Credit is granted after we receive authorization from Faculty Advisor Follow guidelines for convocation in June - refer to Registrar’s Website: No Surprises/ Supervision is the key Reflective practice paper Log of Hours

Student Evaluation of the Placement Submit with Final Evaluation to Faculty Advisor or directly to our office All forms can be downloaded from the Practicum Website (under ‘Forms’): –

Roles and Responsibilities The Triad –Student –Field Instructor –Faculty Advisor

Students: Roles and Responsibilities You are a student Not a volunteer/not an employee Learning contract helps define Regular supervision helps define Culture of placement Appropriate dress

Requirements of the Placement Immunizations Police Check Ministry of Education Work/Placement Agreement –Signed by you and agency –Return to Field Office BSW Student Sign Off –Sign and return to Field Office

Field Instructor: Roles and Responsibilities Guide/Mentor Treat student with respect Fears/safety/trust/challenge: Power Differential Honour student status Provide supervision time Help ensure evaluations are completed in timely manner Ensure time is allocated for attendance to integrative seminars

Faculty Advisor: Roles and Responsibilities Link to the School of Social Work Integrative Seminars Help guide/facilitate the transformation of theory into practice Trouble shooter Advises Field Office of completion of Mid-Point Progress Review and Final Evaluation so credit can be issued Field Office must receive signed form from Faculty Advisor to grant credit

Placement Concerns If I have a concern with placement what do I do? –Field Instructor –Faculty Advisor –Integrative Seminar –Zalina – Assistant Field Education Coordinator –Renita – Acting Director of Field Education

Placement Concerns Issues do come up in placements just like in all other arenas of life Not an issue of failure or something to avoid, but opportunity to practice problem solving skills ADDRESS ISSUES EARLY! Use clear/direct communication

Placement Concerns Involuntary Withdrawal Placement Breakdown and Failure –READ IN PRACTICUM MANUAL: Processes are outlined in BSW Practicum Manual Placement Breakdown is a serious matter – consider carefully The sooner the problem is identified the more likely for a positive solution

Accommodations If you require any sort of accommodations on placement, this must be submitted in writing to the Field Office Professional necessity to acknowledge to the placement the accommodations and supports you require at the beginning of placement

Social Justice and Social Work Integrating critical theory into the practicum experience Reflective practice is the essence of Social Work practice

Philosophy of Placement Mission Statement Policies and Procedures: –READ PRACTICUM MANUAL:

Social Work Code of Ethics Non-Social Work Supervision Confidentiality Be familiar with policy and procedures at the agency – ask questions if unclear about anything

Questions/Closing Remarks