Hong Kong Polytechnic University Department of Applied Social Sciences Induction Course of Fieldwork Placement for Master of Social Work Students 2011-12 Ms. LAU Ching Yee Fieldwork Co-ordinator

Introduction of Fieldwork Placement APSS 5783 MSW fieldwork I (4 credits) APSS 5784 MSW fieldwork II (4 credits)

Fieldwork Hours and Supervision Hours Concurrent Placement Total Hours for each placement Duration Supervision hours Fieldwork I (Foundation) 25 wks/ 4 sessions per wk 400 hours Fieldwork II (Professional)

Fieldwork Hours and Supervision Hours Summer Block placement will be offered for MSW students who have special needs or who have successfully applied for Chinese Mainland or Overseas Placement. Prior approval from MSW program leader or delegate for taking Summer Block Placement is needed. The duration of Summer Block Placement is ten consecutive weeks, ten sessions per week, the supervision hours are 2.5 hours per week.

Practice Workshops Total 200 hours of practice workshops are required to equip students for fieldwork placement and to enhance their practice competence and strengthen their professional value and skills before the graduation. For Fieldwork I, students should attend at least 100 hours before the commencement of fieldwork. For Fieldwork II, students should attend at least 140 hours before the commencement of fieldwork.

Practice Workshops The cut off date for Summer Block Placement is March 1 and Concurrent Placement is July 15. Students should take at least 80% of required workshop hours. For fieldwork I, that is 80 hours. For Fieldwork II, that is 112 hours.

Placement Period Concurrent Placement usually takes place from September to March Summer Block Placement usually takes place from May to July Placement period will be posted in Student Practicum Information System (SPIS)

Types and Workload of Written Assignments Learning Contract Log Sheet Group or Project Proposal(s) Session Plan(s) Case Intake Summary Process Recordings Summary Recordings Report Forms and Records Required by Agency Evaluation Report on Service Done and/or Transfer/Termination Report Self-evaluation Report

Time Frame of Fieldwork Placement Aug Induction Workshop of Fieldwork Placement Oct Briefing Session of SPIS Sept - Dec Overseas Placement Application & Interview January Deadline of Attached Placement & Summer Block February Approval of Chinese Mainland & Overseas Placement March Approval of attached placement & Summer Block, Application for attached placement (Concurrent) April Finalized the matching results of Summer Block May Commencement of Summer Block Placement, Approval of attached placement (concurrent) July End of Summer Block, Finalized the matching results of concurrent September Commencement of Concurrent Placement

Important Points of Fieldwork Placement Arrangement 1. mandatory practicum for registration of all graduates. 2. No employer-employee relationship

Important Points of Fieldwork Placement Arrangement Fieldwork placement can be an attached placement in student’s employer’s social welfare agency (one attached placement only) or fieldwork placement in another NGO or Government unit. Fieldwork placement is arranged by fieldwork team.

Important Points of Fieldwork Placement Arrangement Student can indicate his/her preference in location and service nature in SPIS, but the actual matching will also be based on the availability of fieldwork units, the requirements of agency, the wide coverage of different service natures, the development of social service trend etc.

Important Points of Fieldwork Placement Arrangement Usually the traveling hour from work/home to fieldwork unit is around one hour. Student is required to follow the working hours, work pattern, the rules and regulations of the agency.

Important Points of Fieldwork Placement Arrangement Fieldwork manual is an essential document, student should read it clearly.

Supervisor and Supervisee Relationship Supervision is a mutual interactive learning process Supervisor has three major roles during supervision: administrative, educational and supportive roles.

Supervisor and Supervisee Relationship Active Participation Sharing of expectations and difficulties Submit assignments on time

Agency and Student Relationship Agency provides learning opportunities for student’s professional development. student is encouraged to participate in agency events Student is expected to gain background information on the agency services, function, organizational structure, the various types and levels of staff and their respective roles and responsibilities.

Agency and Student Relationship Program funding: agency, outside resources or APSS subsidy Agency feedback in mid-term and final evaluation Student gives verbal progress report actively Student mainly consults APSS supervisor

Absence from Fieldwork 100% attendance Prior approval for leave or prompt notification of sick leave Compensation of any leave Earlier termination of placement

Application for Attached Placement Full time staff More than one year in attached agency New learning opportunities Jobs comparable with MSW level

Application for Overseas Placement Chinese mainland and overseas placement selection result will be based on student’s interview performance, written test and GPA result Placement location and unit are arranged by fieldwork team

Application for Overseas Placement Student needs to arrange his/her own accommodation, ticket and insurance Subsidy may be applied, but it will be depended on the availability of funding, student should arrange full fee for all of the expenses, except the supervision fee

Fieldwork Team Members & Related MSW Course Personnel Senior Fieldwork Co-ordinator Dr. LEE Tsor Kui Deputy Senior Fieldwork Co-ordinator Dr. HO Po Ying, Amy Fieldwork Program Co-ordinator (MSW) Dr. HUI LO Man Chun, Jenny Fieldwork Program Co-ordinator (BASW, HDSW) Ms. TSANG Sai Ling, Cecilia Fieldwork Agency Co-ordinator (MSW, BASW, HDSW) Ms. LAU Ching Yee Fieldwork Co-ordinator (Workshop) Ms. WONG Sau Kuen, Stella

MSW Colleague Program Leader Dr. LAM Chiu Wan Instructor (Practice Workshop) Mr. YAU Tat Yu, Ivan Ms. CHAN Hoi Yan, Vivian Chief Clerk (MSW) Ms. LEE Suk Wai

Useful links (SPIS, APSS, SWD, HKCSS, HKSWA, SWRB) Student Practicum Information System (SPIS): http://www.apss.polyu.edu.hk/spis/ Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS): http://www.polyu.edu.hk/apss/v2/default.php Social Welfare Department (SWD): http://www.swd.gov.hk/ Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS): http://www.hkcss.org.hk/ Hong Kong Social Workers Association (HKSWA): http://www.hkswa.org.hk/ Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB): http://www.swrb.org.hk/