Practice learning of social work students is composed of practical education and field education and has visible place in a curricula of higher education institutions  Practice learning - learning in practice environment  Classroom and field – two contexts of learning  Students acquiring skills for practice, schools updates on educational needs

 Practical education -part of courses/ modules  Students are introduced to different aspects of social work practice through visits, communication with professionals and participation in practice  Field education -status of a full academic subject ◦ during several years of study ◦ with clearly defines goals and learning outcomes  Practice learning - based on social work values and ethics  Data on practice learning and volunteering - in the student file and certificate attachment

Field education of social work students has defined curricula for each year of study  Consistent with general standards and higher education institution  With defined goals, plan and method  In accordance with particular year of study  Enables students to relate and apply theory to practice, think critically, learn professional behavior

 Includes social work practice with different cultures/ethnic groups  Constant review and development of the curricula  Students - develop critical thinking and reasoning, openness, commitment to life-long learning  Programme evaluation by students, fieldwork mentor or mentor coordinators and assigned teacher in higher education institution  Students apply different social work methods

Field education should be sufficient in duration and complexity of tasks and learning opportunities to ensure that students are prepared for professional practice.  In at least two years of study, in different agencies, with progressive demands  Total of at least 400 hours  Scheduled according to agency and student needs

 Cooperation agreements between educational institution and agency  Students apply different social work methods  Broad scope of agencies for field placement  Informed choice by students  Provision of consultations for students

Field education is supervised and evaluated by qualified fieldwork mentor  Qualified (social worker, 2 years of experience in the agency, trained for field instructor), 2 hours supervision per 35 hours of student’s practice  If not social worker...  Assignments of mentors  Training and support of fieldwork mentors by higher education institution  Inclusion and participation of fieldwork mentors in curriculum development

 Evaluation - in partnership between the educational institution and the agency, includes: ◦ Comprehensive evaluation of students by fieldwork mentors ◦ Evaluation by students... ◦ Evaluation by assigned teacher of higher education institution  Field education manual

Adequate and appropriate resources are available to ensure realization and development of quality fieldwork education.  Teacher of practical skills  Teachers for development of curiculla and cooperation with agencies  Technical support  Professional development  Time for field education -scheduled in teaching plan

Adequate and appropriate resources are available to ensure realization and development of quality field education.  Teacher of practical skills  Teachers for development of curiculla and cooperation with agencies  Technical support  Professional development  Time for field education -scheduled in teaching timetable

Field education is consistent with values, principles and ethical codes of conduct of the social work profession.  In the goals and curricula  Statement signed by students  Boundaries of professional practice  Students promote ethics of social work  Violation the code of ethics - disciplining ◦ social work students ◦ professional staff  Restorative justice principles

 Additional resources needed  Accreditation regulations of RS don’t encourage practical learning ◦ For students (not part of active education!!, not part of teaching timetable ) ◦ For teachers (not part of active education, not part of teacher’s load)  teacher of practical skills  Field education could have ESPB, but could not be accounted as active education