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ORGANIZATION OF FIELD PRACTICUM
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING FIELD AGENCIES
ORGANIZATION OF FIELD PRACTICUM
SELECTION OF FIELD AGENCIES AND INSTRUCTORS
The social agencies and the practitioners providing field instruction
for social work students are clearly an invaluable part of the
Dana program. Selection of field agencies and instructors is
a complex
matter; the criteria found most useful in making these selections
are presented here:
Criteria for Selection of Field Agencies
1. Interest on the part of the agency as a whole in participating
in social work education; willingness to commit itself to the
educational process and to provide a climate hospitable to social
work practicum
students.
2. The agency's commitment to social work values and ethics as
well as its sensitivity to the cultural context of the community
which
it serves.
3. Existence of a range of learning experiences available to
the student, the appropriateness of these learning experiences
relative
to student's learning needs in basic skill areas such as:
• relationship skills
• skills related to the use of the planned change process
• professional skills
• political skills
• research skills
4. Consensus between the agency and the college regarding educational
goals, policies, and procedures.
5. The availability of a skilled field instructor with a baccalaureate
or master’s degree from an accredited social work program
and the provision of adequate release time for the field instructor
to
work intensively with student.
6. Provision of adequate space and support services (such as
access to telephone, office space for interviewing and paperwork,
and
clerical support) for the student to carry out practicum assignments.
7. Accessibility to student of agency organizational activities
such as staff meetings, in-service training, and networking conferences
with other agencies.
8. In cases where the agency is also the place of employment
of the student all of the above criteria are expected to be met,
and
in
addition:
a. Work assignments, in order to apply to the student’s
practicum, must be commensurate with baccalaureate level
generalist practice.
b. Additional assignments designed to broaden the generalist
scope of the practicum and assure upgrading of the student’s knowledge
and skill base will be added to the student’s responsibilities
c. Educationally-focused supervision should be provided and kept
separate from employment supervision
d. Release time for course and field instruction must be assured.
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