Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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.
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?
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
Student
Number:
Nicola Thoner
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
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.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
EVALUATION
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.
List 3-4 self care strategies that you will be able to use when on
your placement.
11
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.
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.
12
13
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.
14
15