You are on page 1of 15

Social Work Field Education Assessment 1

WORKSHEET 1 : Preparing your personal and professional self


What subject are you enrolled in?

HCS303,

HCS402

SWK424

Declaration: In submitting this assessment item I declare that this is all my own work unless
otherwise indicated.
Date: 10/03/2015
Critical Learning Experiences
Describe, in concrete terms, the event / issue / information / idea what did I hear/see/do?

Self awareness through self care. Self care is the idea that one must be selfish and do
things that they enjoy in order to destress, relax, let go of the days events and replenish.

Personal Reaction
Describe and discuss your feelings/attitudes to this event issue / information / idea.

I feel that having self care plans are a healthy way to prepare oneself for placement. Doing
placement for the first time, I feel like it may be challenging, and new and a little bit scary,
so having outlets in which to calm down and breathe can provide perspective on the
situation.

Reflection
What might have led me to feel this way?

There have been times in my life where things were tough and I didn't have this knowledge
of self care or this understanding of 'chilling out' and 'calming down'. Now I know this, I can
have a positive attitude towards this approach as it can be helpful and more clarifying for
my mind, body and soul.

Response
Is there something Id like to change about my response to the critical learning experience?

I think generally, having a positive attitude towards this idea in particular is a good thing.
Obviously it can't calm every emotion and may not be effective in certain situations; like if
someone was just in a car crash with three assignments due next week, it would be a little
pointless to say, 'look, just calm down and take care of yourself,' when they already
probably know that and need some advice in the real world about what to do for physio,
extending assignment deadlines, etc. But then again, finding out that information and
doing it could also be a form of self care, so, there is nothing I can think of that I'd really
want to change about my response to the idea. I think any response to the idea is a valid
one.

Implementation
What information / resources do I need to react differently / make changes? This could include professional supervision,
more theoretical knowledge of a particular field / client group/ issue, etc. How might I go about obtaining these inputs?

I could look up self care sources, such as the resources published on Hay House, in order
to guide me further into self care. I could look through the phone book for self care
resources such as massage or meditation grousp, I could ask my professional supervisor
for ideas or sources to research.

Evaluation
Identify any indicators of change or development that would inform you and others what you have learnt from this
experience.

Indicators of regular self care would be to include it often in my daily routine, or schedule.
It would maybe lead to a calmer mind and body. Finding more information on the subject
will widen the range of knowledge towards it and the skills me or others can develop in
order to prepare for work placement.

WORKSHEET 2 : Preparing for the work environment


Critical Learning Experiences
Describe, in concrete terms, the event / issue / information / idea what did I hear/see/do?

The appearance of a crisis in the workplace (Marion case)

Personal Reaction
Describe and discuss your feelings/attitudes

If something like that happened during placement, I think initially I would be quiet and stay
away from it to see how it is handled. It would be rather shocking.

Reflection
What might have led me to feel that way?

Often when dramatic things happen to me for the first time, my way of understanding it is
to remain quiet and think about it.

Response
Is there something Id like to change about my response to the critical learning experience?

Probably to be a bit more confident and see it as part of my business. If I am to be working


in an industry that spawns a lot of conflict, I need to be comfortable addressing it as my
own problem, as well as start seeing it as part of my business. Because it is or will be.

Implementation
What information / resources do I need to react differently / make changes? This could include professional supervision,
more theoretical knowledge of a particular field / client group/ issue, etc. How might I go about obtaining these inputs?

Self talk, in the sense of trying a different approach, other than sitting back and thinking
about it. See if that approach works for me, and start to change my way of thinking to
become more confident.

Evaluation
Identify any indicators of change or development that would inform you and others what you have learnt from this
experience.

When the idea of conflict doesn't pose a threat to me, I will know I have grown and learnt
from this experience.

WORKSHEET 3 : Preparing for professional relationships and


challenges
Critical Learning Experiences
Describe, in concrete terms, the event / issue / information / idea what did I hear/see/do?

Clearly defined professional and personal boundaries with clients and colleagues and
respect for their experiences.

Personal Reaction
Describe and discuss your feelings/attitudes

I feel eager to explore professional boundaries with clients as being a social worker,
intimate details of a clients life are revealed. I am curious to know how this works and also
wondering how their vulnerability in opening up is respected.

Reflection
What might have led me to feel that way?

Not having much experience in the professional field of practice.

Response
Is there something Id like to change about my response to the critical learning experience?

I feel like defining professional and personal boundaries is something that needs to be
observed rather than taught, as they could be very subtle rules, such as not probing too
deep into a question when it doesn't feel right. I feel like my lack of experience impairs my
judgement and reflection on these cues and this concept.

Implementation
What information / resources do I need to react differently / make changes? This could include professional supervision,
more theoretical knowledge of a particular field / client group/ issue, etc. How might I go about obtaining these inputs?

I think more than anything it would be asking the client what is an acceptable boundary for
them, not crossing that boundary would build trust and rapport for both you and the client.
A client knows they can feel safe with you in being able to talk about the things they
choose.

Evaluation
Identify any indicators of change or development that would inform you and others what you have learnt from this
experience.

Being on par with this concept would occur when my confidence level increased, and I
could understand what these boundaries include.

WORKSHEET 4 : Preparing for supervision


Critical Learning Experiences
Describe, in concrete terms, the event / issue / information / idea what did I hear/see/do?

You must be willing and able to actively participate in supervision by:


Contributing to the agenda
Listening to and responding appropriately to criticism and feedback on aspects of your
professional performance and presence in the agency and with others
Acting on explicit directions/requests from your field educator
using and negotiating your learning needs within the agency work

Personal Reaction
Describe and discuss your feelings/attitudes

There are a lot of expectations put upon field placement students, I feel like it is going to
be part of the learning process to live up to all of them, as well as have down time to really
understand what I want to achieve from placement.

Reflection
What might have led me to feel that way?

Lack of faith in educational institutions always promoting goals and agendas above
different styles of learning.

Response
Is there something Id like to change about my response to the critical learning experience?

To become more accepting of my role as a student, and face the challenging situation with
an open mind.

Implementation
What information / resources do I need to react differently / make changes? This could include professional supervision,
more theoretical knowledge of a particular field / client group/ issue, etc. How might I go about obtaining these inputs?

Need to be more open minded about going into placement with a fresh approach, not
expecting anything and being able to keep up with demands.

Evaluation
Identify any indicators of change or development that would inform you and others what you have learnt from this
experience.

I will know the change has occurred when I do not put myself down or think about
expectations too much, and give a fair go to get the most out of this experience.

WORKSHEET 5 : Preparing for practice


Critical Learning Experiences
Describe, in concrete terms, the event / issue / information / idea what did I hear/see/do?

Becoming a reflective practitioner is one of the key objectives of field education. One of
the major challenges for social work students is to integrate theory and practice during
placement

Personal Reaction
Describe and discuss your feelings/attitudes

I don't feel anything strongly towards this, although I think it is an important aspect of
social work placement. I feel like it will be hard work and something I will finally get to learn
for myself through placement and the work environment.

Reflection
What might have led me to feel that way?

Years of studying, straight from high school, with no relevant work experience has left me
a little mentally drained and frustrated. It will be good to finally combine prac and theory.

Response
Is there something Id like to change about my response to the critical learning experience?

Maybe the bitterness about having to wait so long, the powerlessness of no control over
the circumstance. But I don't think that will affect my attitude in the work envinroment.

Implementation
What information / resources do I need to react differently / make changes? This could include professional supervision,
more theoretical knowledge of a particular field / client group/ issue, etc. How might I go about obtaining these inputs?
7

I can read or ask accounts from my friends placement experiences and ask how they
learned to be reflective practitioners, or how the process went for them. I could ask my
supervisor if any other students feel the same thing as me and be able to talk about it to
them. I think researching and finding knowledge is always a good thing to do when you
don't know much about the subject. Even if it is just a google search.

Evaluation
Identify any indicators of change or development that would inform you and others what you have learnt from this
experience.

Indicators of professional change would be my confidence towards placement and the


ability to understand how these two factors combine to create an efficient balance of
theory and prac.

Social Work Field Education Assessment 1 Placement


Orientation Plan
Name:

Student
Number:

Nicola Thoner

What subject are you enrolled in?

HCS303,

HCS402

11516105

SWK424

Declaration: In submitting this assessment item I declare that this is all my own work unless otherwise indicated.
Date: 10/03/2015

Read and then describe your understanding of how the following charters will govern your Social Work Field Education placement

Australian Institute of Welfare and Community Workers Inc.


Code of Ethics OR Australian Association of Social Workers
Code of Ethics

University student general misconduct rule and the University


student academic misconduct rule

Describe your understanding of the above charters

The AASW code of ethics assists all social workers to act in responsible and ethically sensitive ways. For my field education placement, it will be
beneficial for me to understand the values and responsibilities that define the social work profession.
The university general misconduct rule and academic misconduct rule are there to provide boundaries for students and assist with the development
of professional student conduct throughout placement.

GOALS & OBJECTIVES

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

EVALUATION

1a. Orientation of Self

What are some of the positive things/skills that I bring to


placement?

How will I learn more about myself by doing this placement?

What are my current strengths and weaknesses?


A positive attitude, eagerness to learn, repsectfulness and
kindnesss and an objective and questioning attitude.
Strengths: Good communication skills, eager and willing to
learn, desire to make a difference, objective and questioning.
Weaknesses: Lack of experience, which can also prevent me
from knowing what kind of questions to ask and whether I am
handling the tasks set before me in placement correctly.

Why is it important that I evaluate myself before I go on


placement?
It is important to evaluate myself for self reflection purposes
such as understanding the type of person I am and how I learn
to make the most out of placement. It is an efficient way to
know when to put my own beliefs aside in order to learn new
skills and understand what is happening around me with a
fuller focus.

What do I want to learn from placement?


10

By keeping a journal I will learn how I have changed throughout


the process.
By learning new theories and processes in the 'real' world as
compared to study, I expect I will learn a lot more about myself
because it will open new pathways of throught and moral
dilemnas within me.

I would love to learn the more legal side of Child Protection or


DOCS services and processes in order to further understand the
agency's role in society. I would love to experience the
challenges and systems of thought to see if this is a career path
I would be comfortable in.

1b. Orientation to a placement agency

What sort of things could I find out about what an agency


does?

What do I need to know about the placement agency?

I need to know the variety of roles and jobs the agency carries
out, and how that affects the world and environment. I need to
know the purpose of the agency and question whether or not I
believe in what they are doing, or if they could be doing things
more efficiently.

I could research their website, ask friends who have completed


the placement about their experiences. I could ask my mother's
friends who are social workers and have worked for DOCS
about the kind of roles they carry out and the work they do.

2a. Self Care Strategies

Why is self care important for placement?

List 3-4 self care strategies that you will be able to use when on
your placement.

Attempting any new task can be confronting, difficult and


different. It is important to have strategies in place so that when
these things do get too difficult, you can find ways to cope and
destress.

Meditation - I attend a reiki group each Wednesday night to


clear my mind and reset my mental state and goals for the
week.
Keeping fit- Is a way for me to release the day's events and
focus on becoming grounded and pushing my body instead of
my mind.

It is also important to take care of yourself generally, because


no one problem, no matter how large, is worth neglecting
yourself over.

11

How will I find out information about the agency?

I could go to the agency and pick up some brochures. I could


look online for further information and read about some of the
work they have achieved.

How would someone know that I was doing things for


relaxation/pleasure?

I would be happy, relaxed, talkative and open. I am lucky to


have a supportive network of friends and family who know me
well and often remind me to take care of myself if they can see
things are getting to tough for me.
However, I am also quite self aware at knowing when I am
enjoying myself, or need to take a break.

Piano - I am in 7th grade and have learnt it since I was a child.


The familiarity of the playing process allows me to feel safe,
recharged and capable.
Going out with friends - Taking care of my social life gives me
perspective on any situation, ie: studying is not the end of the
world, I can chill out and relax in laughter, conversation, and
lots of fun.

2b. Self Care Time management

What can I do to manage time more effectively?

Why is it important to be able to manage time effectively?

Write a checklist, or schedule for the day. I am a list oriented


person, and usually very organised, so these kinds of simple
lists that I can check tasks off, work for me.

In order to fit the desired goals for the day on time, with spare
time for self care and extra tasks, time management is
important because it gives you a plan to follow and strengthens
mental willpower.

I can also eliminate the things I do that do not benefit me,


when I need to make priorities. Such as lounging about when I
could be finishing a task.

3a. Responsibility & Accountability

Who will have these expectations?

What will be the expectations of me when on placement?

My supervisor, and my learning adviser. The team I work


with/for and also myself.

How would someone know that I was doing things to manage


my time effectively?

They would see me busy all the time, but also, I would still have
time to catch up with them if I needed too. Depending on my
prioirities and how much self care time I need that day.

How will I identify the boundaries of my role as a student on


placement and in what ways will I test them as they develop
confidence and experience?

Obviously as a student I can't do as much as an experienced


social worker and will need to identify my roles according to the
expectations or tasks my supervisor and learning advisor expect
of me. Once I have more confidence and experience, testing
those boundaries lightly may become an option, if that is what is
required of me. Although I think it presumptuous of students to
take a bigger role than they can handle when they have little
experience and big ideas.

To respect confidentiality, be responsible and respectful in all


tasks, speak clearly and take responsibility of mistakes if I
make them, and further engage in the learning process.

12

3b. Responding and Resolving Conflict

What challenges do I think I will face to my core values and


beliefs?

What do I need to do about conflict?

Keep calm, and find a desirable solution. Don't see conflict as a


stressful situation, but as a way to deepen communication and
resolution skills and strengthen personality.

My core values and beliefs are compassion and acceptance of


human nature, no matter how wrong it may seem, because I
think often, people that do bad things are always the hero in
their own heads. Challenges to this will be when there are
confronting situations to deal with, and when unfairness,
power play and disrespect for human nature occurs.

When and what am I prepared to argue with others?

I am prepared to argue for things I believe in, if I feel that it


will add something to the situation. Most times, I find arguing
with people often pointless. Everything can be discussed in a
calm manner and the same results achieved, usually more
quickly and efficiently. I feel like arguing is often an act of ego,
and when there is an urgent situation, it only serves to flare
things up and create more tension. No one needs that kind of
stress in their life.

13

How do I need to respond to constructive criticism?

Objectively and compassionately. I think that constructive


criticism is nothing be scared of, but also, must be understood
within my own moral boundaries and discussed at length with
the person offering it. Critical thinking should not be abandoned
in the light of constructive criticism. Sometimes tradition or
legality is not always the morally right thing to do, sometimes
the way I think may not be right. These ways of thinking can be
given up or changed, but the reason to do so must be valid for
me.

4. Integrating theory
List 3-4 subjects that you have completed (this degree or some
other) that will be of benefit to you on your placement.
Political philosophy (POL205) - outlining the philosophical
nature of human beings and how political systems should be
created with the essential characteristics of human nature in
mind, rather than working against it and contributing to chaos.
Introductory Psychology (PSY101 and 102) spans across
multiple theories of cognition, child development, memory,
learning, disability, psychopathy and more.
Child development (HCS321) outlines the development of a
child in depth with many theories, aims to encourage learning
about the impact of trauma on a child's development.
Justice Studies (JST106) focusses on the legal systems set in
place to discourage crime and violence.

For each subject List 3 5 key learning outcomes you achieved

Construct informed perspectives. Critically discuss arguments.


Identify strengths and weaknesses in logical and philosophical
contexts.
Understand multiple theories and analyse them for relevance in
a situation. Interpret case studies. Use multiple skills to solve
problems. Read and comprehend different aspects of human
nature, according to theorists.
Developed knowledge on working with children. The impact of
adversity on childhood trauma and families. The relationship
between a child, their family, the state and the interconnected
webs of macro, meso and micro worlds.
Understand laws and where they have come from. Identify the
role the court plays in the criminal process. Understand the
extent of state power and how it plays into the lives of
everyday people.

14

How might these apply in your upcoming placement?

All these outcomes serve to contribute to one major thing, which


is to think critically and research widely about any situation.
Though I realise that sometimes decisions needs to be made in
the spur of the moment, these can also be thought about
critically in the space of five minutes. I think for placement, this
skill is important, as well as being able to take information and
analyse, interpret and research it further in order to grasp a fuller
understanding. The challenge will be finding the balance
between reasearch and practice.

15

You might also like