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SWRK4400

Field Practicum 2

30 Units 4000 Level Course

Not available in 2012

Each student is placed in a human service organization for a minimum of 70 days (490 hours) to complete social work tasks under the supervision of a qualified social worker. Academic staff locate and support the field practicum. Each student is allocated to a practicum organisation by the BSW academic staff, taking into account the requests and needs of the student and the type of placements available. The practicum is assessed against learning objectives. Students are well supported during the practicum with classes during the practicum and a staff liaison person allocated to each student.

Policies, procedures and expectations relating to field practicum courses in the Bachelor of Social Work program are detailed in the BSW Field Education Handbook, a copy of which is available online.

Objectives
Students are required to demonstrate the following at a workforce-entry level of professional competence:
1. Social work assessment and intervention by applying skills, knowledge and methods relevant to presenting practice situations.
2. Engagement with clients/service users/communities in a respectful, non-discriminatory way that is appropriate to presenting situations and in keeping with ethical and legislative requirements.
3. Appropriate written communication skills in recording and reporting on practice in keeping with ethical principles, legislative requirements and organisational procedures.
4. Effective communication and teamwork when engaging with other professional disciplines.
5. Self reflection and use of supervision to increase self awareness, manage stress and improve practice.
6. Understanding of policies, procedures and structures within the organisation and wider systems and how policies impact on outcomes for clients, groups and communities.
7. Ability to identify potential for positive change and how this might be achieved in practice.
8. Application of knowledge and skills in conducting research consistent with social work values and principles.
9. Initiative and responsibility for own learning and professional development.
Content
Each student is placed in a human service organization for a minimum of 70 days (490 hours) to complete social work tasks under the supervision of a qualified social worker (field educator). The student prepares a learning plan in consultation with the field educator that specifies tasks and outcomes to be achieved during the practicum. The learning plan identifies how the student will demonstrate achievement of the learning objectives, against which the student is assessed. Classes during the placement will address practicum learning processes needed to progress through the course.
Replacing Course(s)
SWRK4004 Field Education 4 (20 units) and part SWRK3003 Field Education 3 (20 units). Both are core courses in the BSW
Transition
This proposed new course will not be made available until 2014. Students in the 2nd year of the current program structure will undertake a field placement in 2011 (SWRK2006) and hence will need to complete the existing shorter field placement courses in 3rd and 4th year. Under the new program structure 2nd year students will not complete a field placement in 2012, will complete the first field practicum course in 2013 (proposed SWRK3300) and the proposed second field practicum course in 2014 (SWRK4400). Those students who take leave of absence or who have failed field placement courses may need to complete the old field placement courses (SWRK2007, SWRK3003, SWRK4004), which will require an individualised field placement program organised by SWRK academic staff.
Industrial Experience
0
Assumed Knowledge
SWRK3300, SWRK3002 and SWRK3005
Modes of Delivery
Internal Mode
Teaching Methods
Email Discussion Group
Individual Supervision
Practicum
Workshop
Assessment Items
Other: (please specify)
Assessment in SWRK4400 is continuous until the student has completed all agency and campus based tasks and left the agency. All assessment items must be completed to a workforce-entry level of professional competence to attain an ungraded pass result. Assessment is based on satisfactory performance in the four areas of:
a) Placement written tasks.
b) Field practice.
c) Campus component tasks.
d) Ethical and Professional Conduct.

a) Placement written tasks are:
* Practicum Learning Plan
* Mid Practicum Review Report
* End of Practicum Report
* Written task related to field placement setting

b) Field practice is assessed using the following evidence:
* Demonstration of achievement of course objectives and learning goals as specified in the learning plan, through tasks successfully completed during the practicum.
* Articulation of learning in agency-based mid and end of placement review meetings and associated reports.
* Assessment by Field Educator in their end of practicum report.
* Completion of 70 days (490 hours minimum) of supervised field experience.

c) Campus component is assessed on completion of all learning activities in campus-based field placement preparation classes and review sessions (or online alternative if available).

d) Ethical and professional conduct is assessed in accordance with:
* The AASW Code of Ethics
* University of Newcastle Student Discipline Rules

The final grade is determined by the Course Coordinator, on the recommendation of the University field liaison person following a review of performance in all assessment items outlined above.
Contact Hours
Practicum: for 490 hour(s) per Term for Full Term
Workshop: for 9 hour(s) per Term for Full Term