Supervised Field Placement 2A

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2014:

250 hours.

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/

This agency-based supervised placement subject provides an intensive practice learning experience. It provides students with opportunities for both professional learning and development and workplace preparation. Students will learn to integrate advanced theory with practice. They will further develop and consolidate practice skills, increase their knowledge of the interface between policy, research and evidence-based practice and increase their understanding of the organisational context of policy and practice. This subject requires students to attend university and agency-based preparation seminars, early placement seminars and integration seminars and complete the first 35 days of the first professional placement required within the MSW course.

The goal of this subject is to enable students to develop advanced social work practice and intervention skills and a higher level of competence on the key areas of learning. It includes opportunities to complete a placement which focuses on group work, community work, research, social policy and more specialised or intensive direct practice. This practicum also includes a significant reseacrh activity.

1. A hurdle requirement of 100% attendance at a field preparation seminar, field placement and integration seminars totalling 35 days.
2. A 3,000 word practice portfolio and report assessed on a pass/fail basis. The portfolio is developed throughout the duration of the placement, and is due at the end of semester.

Cleak, H., & Wilson, J. (2007). Making the most of field placement (2nd ed). Southbank: Thomson Learning.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students who complete this subject should be able to:

• critically analyse texts and practices;
• understand recent developments in social work contexts of practice;
• link theory to practice;
• competently communicate in ways relevant to both academic and practice contexts;
• undertake independent research