Social work placement requirements

Compliance checks are required by both the University and your host organisation. They are there to protect you and the people you work with and to ensure you are safe on placement. You cannot start placement until all you have completed all your compliance requirements and they have been verified by the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Support Team. 

You should keep all original copies of documents in a safe place, as you may be asked to produce these by your host organisation.

You will not be eligible for placement until deemed fully compliant.
 

Compulsory Compliance for ALL Students

Additional compliance for South Australian based Placements

Additional Compliance for Interstate-based Placements

Additional compliance for SA Health Placements

Additional Compliance for Aged Care Placements

Additional Compliance for Education Placements

Other Additional Compliance (as instructed)

Additional Compliance for NDIS Placements

• Students must supply a valid Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) prior to the commencement of their placement. 

Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC)

Valid for three years from date of issue

Commonly referred to as a Police Check, a National Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) is a document that lists all criminal convictions recorded against a person in the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) database. For more information visit the ACIC website.

Police Checks (NCCHCs) can be issued by:

• State, Territory or Federal Police
• Private brokers that have been accredited by the ACIC

An acceptable Police Check (NCCHC) must meet the following requirements:

• Unsupervised Contact within the Health/Aged Care Sector.
• The following information is provided to assist you complete an application form for your Police Check:
  - Reason for Check – Unsupervised Contact with Vulnerable Groups (if there is a character limit, ensure ‘UNSUP VULN GRPS’ is recorded at a minimum).
  - Proposed Place of Work – Health/Aged Care Sector
  - Location - Adelaide, South Australia

Please note – if you are completing a Police Check for a Northern Territory placement, please follow the instruction provided by Flinders NT or your discipline specific checklist.  In the absence of this advice, follow the above instructions to complete the application form.

Students are responsible for the cost of obtaining their Police Check (NCCHC).

Students completing placements in South Australia may choose to apply for a Police Check (NCCHC) directly through their local police, or through a commercial broker. If a Police Check (NCCHC) is required urgently (e.g., sooner than 4 – 5 weeks) then it is advisable to apply online through an accredited broker that offers fast turnaround.

Police Check (NCCHC) providers:

• South Australia Police (SAPOL) - We strongly recommend you use the SAPOL Police Check as this is the most accepted document.
• Third party providers are  www.checked.com.au and www.cvcheck.com.
• State clearances are most widely accepted across organisations and interstate, third party provided clearances may not be accepted by host organisations outside of the control of the University.

Please note that Flinders University does not endorse these providers and cannot guarantee their turnaround times.

What happens if there are offences listed on my Police Check?

Students with criminal convictions should refer to the SA Health Criminal and Relevant History Screening Policy Directive. Students with serious criminal convictions may be precluded from placement. Students with criminal convictions are advised to meet with their course coordinator to discuss their ability to satisfy the requirements of their placement topic.

Will you accept a Teachers Registration Board (TRB) Registration Certificate?

No. The TRB undertakes a Police Check (Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check) as part of the registration process, however, no outcomes are listed on the registration certificate. You are required to obtain a separate Police Check (NCCHC).

How can I obtain a replacement Police Check?

Replacement Police Checks (NCCHCs) can sometimes be obtained by contacting the organisation that issued the original certificate. In many cases, students who have lost their Police Check (NCCHC) will need to apply for a new one.

Northern Territory (NT) Health placements and the National Police Certificate

In accordance with the NT government guidelines for clinical placements within NT Health, only National Police Certificates (NPCs) provided by police services in Australian states or territories will be accepted. NPCs issued by 3rd party providers are not accepted.

Valid for one year from date of issue.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training is completed annually. Students are responsible for organising their training through an external provider.

Acceptable training can include:

• courses accredited to the HLTAID009 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation standard OR
• Basic Life Support courses completed through SA Health OR
• workplace CPR training that includes a practical component.

Acceptable evidence of training can include:

• a certificate of completion issued by the training provider
• a letter from an employer stating the date of completion of training.

Course providers may include:

• IntelliLearn
• St John Ambulance
• First Aid Pro
• Red Cross Australia
• First Aid Training Adelaide CBD

Find additional accredited training providers by searching for HLTAID001 courses near your location.

Enrolment in field placement topics (SOAD3102, SOAD9107, SOAD4007 or SOAD9208) is restricted until preplacement compliance requirements have been met. Students will not be able to enrol themselves into their allocated placement topics until advised.

If you have any queries, please contact swplacements@flinders.edu.au. 

The AASW is the professional representative body for Australian social workers. It sets the standards for professional education and practice in social work which are set out in the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS). Social work education requires the integration of theory and practice. This is done by bringing together students, the University, placement agencies and field educator/s to work towards the shared goal of integrated social work knowledge, skills, and values. Field education in social work at Flinders aligns with the profession-specific (Social Work) Graduate Attributes (Section 2 ASWEAS 2021) and constitute ‘entry-level fitness for practice’.

The Flinders University Field Education program operates in accordance with the ASWEAS 2012 V2.1 (Revised November 2021), with particular reference to Guideline 1.2: Guidance on Field Education programs.

ASWEAS 2021, Section 4, describes field education as ‘a distinctive pedagogy for social work education. It enables students to integrate classroom learning with professional practice so that students notice and refine their ways of thinking, doing and being. Field education socialises students into the profession through immersion in real practice contexts, while allowing a constructive and reciprocal learning space to develop. Students make sense of what it means to be a social worker by developing their professional identity, integrity, and practice frameworks. Supported by field education partners in practice settings, students achieve deep learning through experimentation, reflection, feedback, and critique of practice experiences. Through this process of engagement and refinement of their understanding of their role, and of themselves as professionals, they understand the complex, changing and ambiguous nature of practice.’

The University’s Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Procedures, and associated Work Integrated Learning Policy, provide the framework for field education in the social work program. WIL, as defined in the policy, is a ‘broad term referring to any structured and purposefully designed learning and assessment activity in a course curriculum that integrates theory with the practice of work’. Social work placements are a form of WIL which enable students to ‘demonstrate development towards meeting required professional standards of practice, in accordance with professional accreditation requirements. Thus, while social work placements must meet the accreditation requirements set and monitored by the Australian Association of Social Workers, they must also comply with the University’s WIL Policy and Procedures. In addition, the Social Work Charter on Professional Conduct for Student Social Workers sets out the expectations for social work students in relation to professionalism and behaviour.

What is the length of placement?

You are required to complete a total of 1000 hours of field education to graduate.

This will be fulfilled by undertaking two separate placements of 500 hours each.

Field placements are non-semester topics, and it is imperative that you are available to commence placement, or engage in placement related activities, at least one month before semester begins.

• Semester 1: Early February to mid-July
• Semester 2: Early July to early December.

What days do I attend placement?

You are required to attend placement four days per week, which takes approximately 18 weeks (4 – 5 months) to complete your 500 hours. Bachelor and master students have different availability to attend placement due to their study timetable:

• Bachelor of Social Work students attend placement Tuesday to Friday
• Master of Social Work students attend placement Monday to Thursday.

When do placements start?

Field placements are non-semester topics, and it is imperative that you are available to commence placement, or engage in placement related activities, at least one month before semester begins.

• Semester 1: Early February to mid-July
• Semester 2: Early July to early December.

Where are placements located?

Most South Australian students will undertake placements in the metropolitan Adelaide region. This includes the outer areas of Adelaide, such as Gawler, Victor Harbor and Murray Bridge. Some opportunities exist for rural placements. Interstate students mostly undertake their placements in their home state.

What kind of placements are offered?

Social Work is a generalist degree. In accordance with the ASWEAS (2021) requirements, students will undertake field education experiences that enable them to demonstrate their ability to meet AASW practice standards across a range of diverse client groups and environments. This means students should expect, across two placements, to undertake their placements in different organisations, having different client groups and different methods of social work practice. Therefore, students can be placed with government, non-government, and private placement organisations, which cover a variety of fields of practice (e.g., homelessness, domestic violence, mental health, schools, and aged care) and methods of practice (e.g., working with individuals and groups, community development, social policy, advocacy, and research).

Will I have an onsite social work supervisor?

The learning that occurs during placement is supervised by qualified social workers who support students to integrate social work theory into practice. This aims to develop the skills, values, and knowledge to work effectively in contemporary social work settings. Most students are likely to have one placement with an on-site social work agency field educator and one with an external field educator (external social work supervisor) appointed by the University. If you have an external field educator, you will also have an agency supervisor to oversee your day-to-day activities.

How long will I have to travel to placement?

A large proportion of placements are in the outer northern and south metropolitan areas, reflecting the areas of greatest social need. Consequently, students may be required to travel up to one and a half hours to their placement (one way), depending on public transport routes and availability. Occasionally a student may be required to travel up to two hours, but every effort is made to keep travel within one and a half hours or less. It is highly recommended that students hold an Australian driver’s licence or recognised International Drivers Licence as this is a requirement of many placement organisations, as well as having access to your own vehicle.

The College of Education, Psychology and Social Work WIL Support Team are responsible for placement compliance, matching and other pre-placement administrative tasks.

The WIL Support Team will communicate regularly with you via emails from swplacements@flinders.edu.au and the Social Work Field Education FLO site.

There will be a pre-placement information session available for students early in the Semester.

Confirmed placement matches will be communicated with students via their Flinders University email address and InPlace.

Students will need to become familiar with the University’s placement management system, InPlace. Students have their own page on InPlace, where documents and information can be uploaded and information about placements can be found. Refer to the student guide to InPlace.  

Can I find my own placement?

It is against our policy for students in the Adelaide metropolitan region to organise their own placements (for many reasons, including our agreement with agencies and our responsibility to meet ASWEAS requirements). Students are asked not to contact agencies to find a placement.

Interstate Students: Conversely due to their local knowledge (and often contacts) interstate students are required to take the lead in finding their own placements with support from the WIL Support Team. For further information regarding sourcing an interstate placement, please read the Information Sheet: Interstate Student Placements found on the CEPSW Work Integrated Learning FLO site.

How does the placement matching process work and how long does it take?

It is essential that students have the opportunity to participate in a broad range of learning experiences in field education and the placement matching process takes this into account. Commonly, final placement students and those with variations to their placement will be prioritised in the placement allocation process, but this does not necessarily mean that they will be matched first.

While there are some exceptions, the placement matching process takes around 12 weeks to complete. Students will receive information about their allocated placements via InPlace and their Flinders University email.

What factors are considered in matching a student to a placement?

The placement matching process must consider multiple factors, including ASWEAS requirements, practical considerations (e.g., access plans, driver’s licence, where students live, availability of onsite social work supervision) and agency requirements. While final student interests are considered, there can be no guarantee that a student will be matched to an area of interest. Placement opportunities are entirely dependent on the pool of available placements and the matching of agency and student characteristics.

Agencies may have requirements that preclude some students from consideration. Agency requirements include: driver’s licence; minimum and maximum days a student can attend placement; dates for starting and/or completing placement; student’s level of experience; first or final placement students; after hours availability; variations in attendance (e.g. later start time); student’s communication skills; student’s undergraduate degree (some agencies will only consider MSW students with a related undergraduate degree); student’s interest in field and/or method of practice (e.g. group work); students ability to speak a particular language (e.g. Arabic).

Further, as previously described ASWEAS (2021) requires students have a diversity of learning experiences. It is therefore expected that students will be open to diverse placement contexts and fully engage in their placement learning regardless of where they are placed.

If you have considerable prior experience working in human service agencies you may be eligible to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), effectively crediting you for placement. RPL will only be considered for the first placement in MSW or BSW.

The application process has two stages requiring you meet specific criteria set by the ASWEAS and demonstrate learning from your prior experience in order to be granted RPL.

You can apply for RPL at any time, but due dates are set if you intend to go on placement in the following semester. Stage 1 applications are due the end of week 5 of semester and stage 2 applications are due by the end of week 10 of semester.

If granted RPL the ASWEAS outlines conditions for a student’s final placement following RPL.

Variation requests to the placement structure will need to be approved by the relevant Field Education Topic Coordinator.

What if I have a medical condition or disability that needs to be considered?

The social work program is committed to facilitating the integration of students with disabilities into the University community. Reasonable adjustments can be made for students with disabilities provided those adjustments do not compromise topic requirements and the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS).

If students have a disability that may affect their ability to successfully complete a placement, they should contact Disability Services who may be able to prepare an access plan for them.

Students with an existing access plan who have any concerns about their ability to meet placement requirements are advised to have it reviewed the semester before enrolling in a field education topic.

Students with an access plan who require accommodations in their placement arrangements should contact their Topic Coordinator and update InPlace within the student information for placement criteria.

Students are required to attend an interview with the agency they are matched to (before their placement can be confirmed). First impressions matter and students need to be professional in all communication leading up to, and during, their interview. Guidance on setting up an email signature, template email communication and how to prepare for an interview can be found in the Placement Interview Guideline module on the CEPSW Work Integrated Learning FLO site.

What you need to take to an interview

You will need to take copies of your compliance documents to the interview.

Agencies may confirm a placement offer at the interview, but this doesn't always happen. If you haven't heard from the interview chairperson one week after your interview, you can contact them to confirm your placement.

What happens if you're unsuccessful at the placement interview?

If you are unsuccessful at your placement interview, every attempt will be made to match you to an alternative placement agency. The ability to rematch will depend on a number of factors including the reasons for an unsuccessful first placement match, timing in the pre-placement process or semester and availability of placements.

Students must email swplacements@flinders.edu.au if they have not been successful at their interview.

If you have completed the pre-placement requirements but can no longer go on placement please contact us immediately.

Students whose placement has already commenced should advise their Field Education Liaison and/or Topic Coordinator as soon as possible, withdraw from the topic and un-enrol.

Once your placement is confirmed you will be allocated to a field education liaison (FEL). Your FEL will make contact with you within the first two weeks of you starting placement. 

If you require an external field educator (social work supervisor) your FEL will provide their contact details.

The organisation of placements occurs the semester before a student’s placement is due to commence. Before students can commence their placement, they must pass pre-requisite Topics and complete various compliance and administrative tasks which are communicated to students via the CEPSW Work Integrated Learning FLO site and their Flinders University email address. Students who do not complete all pre-placement tasks within the timelines provided will not be matched to a placement.

There will be a pre-placement information session available for students early in the Semester. The WIL Support Team will communicate regularly with you via emails from swplacements@flinders.edu.au and the CEPSW Work Integrated Learning FLO site. FLO is the Flinders Learning Online platform, with a corresponding FLO site with required learning material and resources for each topic students enrol in. Students studying Social Work at Flinders University will gain access to a separate pre-placement FLO site called Social Work Field Education Placements in the semester before they are due to go on placement. Students can find the FLO Application via their Okta Dashboard. For a video resource on how to use FLO and how it will assist in your learning, please click here. Students also need to become familiar with the University’s field placement management system, InPlace. Students will have their own page on InPlace, where documents will be stored and contain information about placements. Click here for InPlace User Guide.

Where students have not been successful at their placement interview, every attempt will be made to match the student to an alternative placement agency. The ability to rematch will depend on several factors including the reasons for an unsuccessful first placement match, timing in the preplacement process or semester and availability of placements. Students must email swplacements@flinders.edu.au if they have not been successful at their interview.

All forms can be found on the CEPSW Work Integrated Learning FLO site.