Clinical Practicum: Children

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

Minimum 80% attendance at practicums

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website : http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

The clinical practicum are designed to provide closely supported training in various forms of clinical work. They serve to promote the participants’ practical application of the theoretical material covered in the coursework subjects. The clinical practicums are conducted in small groups (approximately 3 to 5 participants per group), under the guidance of experienced supervisors, between 11:30 am and 1:30 pm on Wednesdays.

This subject will cover:

• the structure and safety of the therapeutic environment and setting limits;
• the nature and purpose of commonly used play equipment which may be utilised with children;
• various forms of engagement and the development of a therapeutic relationship;
• maintaining the privacy of the therapeutic relationship and managing crises; and
• specific strategies and techniques which may be used in clinical work with children and issues in continuity of care.

It will require the maintenance of a log in which therapy contacts will be recorded.

Participants will hone specific therapeutic skills required for effective individual work with children, accounting for:

§ Issues relating to the environment in which therapy can effectively take place.

§ The goals of therapy.

§ Identification of therapeutic interventions, which may be more suitable for a specific child in their specific environment.

A written case study of 4,000 words counts for 70% of assessment, and satisfactory log of clinical contacts counts for 30% of assessment. An attendance record will be kept, and a minimum of 80% of clinical practicum sessions must be attended. The assessment task will be given out in the second seminar of the semester.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject, participants should be able to:

§ Evaluate the effectiveness of their interventions with children.

§ Utilise problem-solving skills in determining how to modify a treatment plan for work with children, as appropriate.