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

2. Introduction of Fieldwork Placement
APSS MSW fieldwork I (4 credits)
APSS MSW fieldwork II (4 credits)

3. 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)

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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)

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

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

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

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

17. 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.

18. 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

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

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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. Useful links (SPIS, APSS, SWD, HKCSS, HKSWA, SWRB)
Student Practicum Information System (SPIS):
Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS):
Social Welfare Department (SWD):
Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS):
Hong Kong Social Workers Association (HKSWA):
Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB):