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Social Work Field Education Program

This site has been developed to assist both field educators and students involved in the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program.

During the four years of the BSW program students undertake one 50 day field placement, and two 45 day field placements, under the supervision of qualified Social Workers. In agencies where no qualified social worker is employed it is possible for an external social worker to be recruited to provide the required supervision for the placement to meet eligibility requirements laid down by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).

The placements occur during the second, third and final years of the program.

The BSW program at the University of Newcastle began in 1991 and in subsequent years has developed as a model of excellence in experience-based teaching and learning. In this context field education is especially significant as it is through field education that students test and mould their professional and personal capacities as social workers in training. To learn more about our experience-based approach please consult the BSW Program Overview.

We support our field educators by providing regular newsletters and professional development workshops. For information visit  Field Education News page.

Each year we ask students undertaking their 3rd year placement to write some reflections on their experience and these are published and distributed back to the field educators who have assisted them in their learning. For recent copies of these third year reflections and other student contributions visit The Student Experience page.

All Social work academic staff are involved in a support liaison role with student field placements.

 

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