Field Instructor Resources
JACSW provides the following support for its field instructors:
- Workshops to assist new and experienced field instructors in defining and carrying out their role.
- Guidance to field instructors in creating substantive learning experiences and articulating goals and competencies.
- Consultation to field instructors regarding field placement activities and/or learning challenges.
- Authorized use of university library facilities.
2024 Field Instructor Orientation
Enhancing Supervision in Field Placement Video Instruction Heading link
Orientation Resources Heading link
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Field Placement Forms Heading link
NOTE: All field placement forms are now accessible through the Sonia online system.
What are the Expectations of a Field Experience for the Students? Heading link
- Foundation Students complete a minimum of 450 hours, while Concentration students complete a minimum of 630 hours.
- Provide a minimum of one hour per week of direct supervision by an MSW. This can be done as an individual one-on-one or in a group setting.
- Introduce students to inter-agency supports to enhance their social work experience.
- Include students in appropriate staff meetings and in service training for staff development.
- Provide adequate office space and technology to fulfill their responsibilities.
- Provide guidance, input and feedback in the student learning plan.
- Provide timely evaluations of the student to the college at the end of each grading period.
- Assist student in evaluating their own practice.
- Assist student with developing a practice evaluation proposal.
- Assign clients who are culturally and racially diverse, poor and marginalized populations at risk to student’s caseload to meet MSW field education learning objectives.
- Provide student (as much as possible) with learning opportunities with all levels of systems (micro, mezzo and macro).
- Provide student with exposure to working with a variety of client systems (individual, families, groups, communities and organizations).
- Review safety policies at the work place, community engagement and home visits.
What are the Expectations for Supervision? Heading link
Students in an MSW field placement are required to have one hour of supervision per week with a supervisor that has held a Masters of Social Work for at least two years and has been with the agency for at least one year. This supervision can be done in a one on-one or group setting. Students may work with a task supervisor that does not hold an MSW but all supervision must be conducted weekly by someone that does have this degree.
As for physical supervision, students should never be left at an agency alone or without a member of the clinical team who can respond to questions as needed. In such cases, it is highly encouraged that students have access to their field instructor’s or direct supervisor’s cell phone number.