Bachelor of Social Work - Field Education
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Social work field education at the University of Sydney
Field education placement dates for 2009
Social work field education contacts
Social work field education at the University of Sydney
Field education is a core component of the University of Sydney Social Work program with all field education courses having full academic status. The Field Education program promotes a community of learners’ model (Giles, Small, Irwin & Waugh 2008) aiming to engage all key people in the provision of good learning opportunities in field practice. This entails:
- providing the students with a variety of professional practice tasks
- challenging students whilst providing peer and professional support
- developing knowledge and skills,
- linking theory and practice,
- developing a professional identity
- developing critical reflection skills
Underpinning the community of learners model are theories of adult learning, transformational learning, experiential learning in action and critical thinking.
The field education learning expectations are developed across the program aiming to develop values, skills and knowledge from a beginner to a practitioner capable of meeting AASW Practice Standards.
The on campus courses prior to each field education course prepares the students to apply theory to practice, to employ a range of social work interventions and to demonstrate professional values and ethics. In preparation for each field education placement each agency field educator determines the scope and parameters of learning opportunities within their setting. In negotiation with the field educator, using the specific field education course learning expectations as a framework students produce a set of learning goals. These goals set out what they hope to learn, how this learning will happen and how, with their field educator and university liaison, they will monitor and evaluate their learning.
Principles guiding field education
- the field education program is theoretically grounded;
- the program is based on a learning philosophy in which the student is an active participant;
- students will be provided with diverse learning opportunities; and
- the program is consistent with AASW requirements.
Objectives of the field education program
- to complement class work in developing students’ professional identity and competence;
- to facilitate students’ understanding of the social, economic and political context of social work and critical analysis of the place of social work in society;
- to familiarise students with competing theories about the individual and society, and with tensions arising from these that are inherent in all social work intervention;
- to promote students’ competence to act in managing these tensions through the acquisition of social work skills and methods, including research;
- to facilitate students’ developing coherent practice which assists individuals and promotes social change; and
- to implement an educational philosophy promoting learning partnerships between students, field educators and staff of the Faculty.
Collaborating with agencies
In collaborating with agencies, the Faculty seeks:
- to develop continuing reciprocal relationships in order to facilitate student education, research, consultation and continuing professional development;
- to provide high quality field education;
- to create the opportunity for innovative practice;
- to develop formal agreements about the responsibilities of all parties; and
- to support field educators in assisting students' learning.
AASW Requirements for Field Education
- students must spend at least 140 seven-hour working days (at least 980 hours) in at least two field placements;
- no placement will be less than 40 days;
- patterns of placement days may vary from 5 days per week to a minimum of 2 days per week;
- placements must include at least two full-time five day block periods;
- no placement shall be an observational placement;
- in every placement students must be supervised by a qualified social worker who has a minimum of two years’ full-time practice experience;
- students must undertake placements in at least two practice settings (e.g.: hospital, neighbourhood centre, government agency);
- students must experience at least two fields of practice (e.g.: mental health, child protection, refugee settlement); and
- students must be able to practice using a diverse range of social work interventions, including casework, group work, community work, policy development, social action and research;
(For more details see section 4.3: “Field Education” of the AASW’s Policy Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (AASW 2008))
More information about field education at the University of Sydney can be found in the Field Education Handbook. The handbook outlines the policy and procedures for the Social Work Field Education program including all learning and assessment expectations for students.
Field education placement dates for 2009
Students begin their field education program in the third year of the BSW program.
There are two field education placements:
- FIRST PLACEMENT: 60 days, four days a week (Tuesday to Friday, 4th August - 13th November 2009) in third year,
- SECOND PLACEMENT: 80 days full-time (6th April – 7th August 2009) in fourth year.
For more information, please consult the Field Education Calendar.
Social work field education contacts
Director of Field Education
Roslyn Giles
Field Education Professional Officer
Andrea Small
Convenor Social Work and Policy Studies Programs
Assoc Prof Jude Irwin
Coordinator of Field Education 1 in 2009 (3rd year students)
Professor Barbara Fawcett
Coordinator of Field Education 2 in 2009 (4th year students)
Rosyln Giles and Associate Professor Jude Irwin