Work Integrated Learning Requirements

Bachelor of Counselling 

All Bachelor of Counselling students are required to complete  one counselling placement one to two days per week for two consecutive terms. Placement is to be completed whilst enrolled in the units Work Placement Experience and Supervision 1 in the first term of placement, and  Work Placement Experience and Supervision 2 in the second term of placement. Students must complete a minimum of 200 hours placement including a minimum 40 hours of one to one counselling and if applicable, counselling group work*.

Counselling is defined by PACFA as ‘An explicitly contracted counselling relationship with a focus for change’. Counselling would usually take place over three or more face-to-face sessions to allow time for the counselling relationship to develop. Group work therapy also meets the requirements for counselling hours. Case management, counselling research, support groups, informal work utilising counselling skills with individuals, children or families would not be considered ‘counselling’ for placement purposes.

Students are expected to attend a placement agency for a minimum of one day per week from 9am to 5pm throughout the two terms of placement. The agency supervisor remains responsible for all clients seen by the student throughout the placement. Students must be supervised at all times (though your supervisor may not necessarily be in the room with you). Case notes must be kept and reviewed by the agency supervisor. Visits to external sites must be accompanied by an agency staff member. Mandatory reporting issues or other serious issues that arise during a counselling session must be brought to the attention of the agency supervisor immediately.

Placement Agency Supervisor

Your placement agency supervisor is the person with whom you work closely and who directs your activity and supervises you on a daily basis.

Your agency supervisor must:

1. Be a practicing counsellor, social worker, psychologist or psychotherapist
2. Be in a supervisory role in the organisation
3. Have a minimum of 5 years relevant experience in the helping profession
4. Not have any other relationship with the student (e.g. family, therapist, current educator etc)
5. Have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in counselling, psychotherapy or a related profession with equivalent qualifications, including appropriate professional registration

Note: ACAP provides clinical supervision for counselling students on placement, however the Agency Supervisor must provide adequate daily support, and regular supervision for the student.

Clinical Supervision on Placement

Students undertaking placement must be concurrently enrolled in the units Work Placement Experience and Supervision 1 in the first term of placement, and Work Placement Experience and Supervision 2 in the second term of placement. Group Clinical supervision is undertaken during these classes. Further details are available by viewing the unit descriptions.

Appropriate / possible duties for counselling placement may include:

• Group therapy e.g. Anxiety, depression, anger management etc.
• Co-counselling
• One to one counselling
• Online/telephone counselling*
• Person Centred counselling
• Solution focused counselling
• Crisis counselling*
• Counselling services within a community or welfare agency (youth counsellor, aged care, disabled care, alcohol and other drugs counselling etc.)
• Health care work or counselling in the allied health professions such as family support services, child, adolescent and family counselling
• Bereavement counselling and palliative care
• Observing, co facilitating or facilitating appropriate skilled assessment, information, referral and assistance to clients
• Liaising with co-workers and other service providers
• Casework, case notes liaising with other services
• Maintaining records and collecting client information
• Participating in the development, analysis, evaluation and planning of services
• Participating in the organisation as appropriate including the implementation of projects, programs and promotional activities
• Conducting individual interviews to identify clients’ circumstances and requirements
• Assisting in the provision of services, or referring clients to other community organisations which may be better able to provide more appropriate services
• Facilitating support groups

Students are expected to participate in all the activities of the organisation that a counsellor employed at the agency would participate in e.g. fill in on reception at lunch breaks, answer the phones if receptionist is busy and some administration work. However students should be primarily focused on counselling or counselling related work throughout their placement.

*Conditions apply, please contact Placement Staff for further details.

Bachelor of Psychological Science and Counselling

All Bachelor of Psychological Science and Counselling students are required to complete  one counselling placement one to two days per week for two consecutive terms. Placement is to be completed whilst enrolled in the units Student Placement and Supervision 1 in the first term of placement, and Student Placement and Supervision 2 in the second term of placement. Students must complete a minimum of 200 hours placement including a minimum 40 hours of one to one counselling and / or counselling group therapy*.

Counselling is defined by PACFA as ‘An explicitly contracted counselling relationship with a focus for change’. Counselling would usually take place over three or more face-to-face sessions to allow time for the counselling relationship to develop. Group work therapy also meets the requirements for counselling hours. Case management, counselling research, support groups, informal work utilising counselling skills with individuals, children or families would not be considered ‘counselling’ for placement purposes.

Students are expected to attend a placement agency for a minimum of one day per week from 9am to 5pm throughout the two terms of placement. The agency supervisor remains responsible for all clients seen by the student throughout the placement. Students must be supervised at all times (though your supervisor may not necessarily be in the room with you). Case notes must be kept and reviewed by the agency supervisor. Visits to external sites must be accompanied by an agency staff member. Mandatory reporting issues or other serious issues that arise during a counselling session must be brought to the attention of the agency supervisor immediately.

Placement Agency Supervisor

The Agency Supervisor directs the student’s activity and provides daily supervision.

They must:

1. Be a practicing counsellor, social worker, psychologist or psychotherapist.
2. Be in a supervisory role in the organisation.
3. Have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in counselling, psychotherapy or a related profession with equivalent qualifications, including appropriate professional registration (or be eligible to apply for professional registration as approved by ACAP).
4. Have a minimum of five years relevant experience in a profession as listed above, or a minimum of three years in the profession, plus two years in the helping profession, such as youth work, medicine, nursing, education, life coaching, ministry, child safety officer, mental health case worker, or a registered carer.
5. Not have any other relationship with the student (e.g. family, therapist, current educator etc.).

Note: ACAP provides clinical supervision for counselling students on placement, however the Agency Supervisor must provide adequate daily support, and regular supervision for the student.

Clinical Supervision on Placement

Students undertaking placement must be concurrently enrolled in the units Student Placement and Supervision 1 in the first term of placement, and Student Placement and Supervision 2 in the second term of placement. Group Clinical supervision is undertaken during these classes. Further details are available by viewing the unit descriptions.

Appropriate / possible duties for counselling placement may include:

• Group therapy e.g. Anxiety, depression, anger management etc.
• Co-counselling
• One to one counselling
• Online/telephone counselling*
• Person Centred counselling
• Solution focused counselling
• Crisis counselling*
• Counselling services within a community or welfare agency (youth counsellor, aged care, disabled care, alcohol and other drugs counselling etc.)
• Health care work or counselling in the allied health professions such as family support services, child, adolescent and family counselling
• Bereavement counselling and palliative care
• Observing, co facilitating or facilitating appropriate skilled assessment, information, referral and assistance to clients
• Liaising with co-workers and other service providers
• Casework, case notes liaising with other services
• Maintaining records and collecting client information
• Participating in the development, analysis, evaluation and planning of services
• Participating in the organisation as appropriate including the implementation of projects, programs and promotional activities
• Conducting individual or family interviews to identify clients’ circumstances and requirements
• Assisting in the provision of services, or referring clients to other community organisations which may be better able to provide more appropriate services
• Facilitating support groups

Students are expected to participate in all the activities of the organisation that a counsellor employed at the agency would participate in e.g. fill in on reception at lunch breaks, answer the phones if receptionist is busy and some administration work. However students should be primarily focused on counselling or counselling related work throughout their placement.

*Conditions apply, please contact Placement Staff for further details.

Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy

All Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy students are required to complete  one counselling placement one to two days per week for two consecutive terms. Placement is to be completed whilst enrolled in the units Advanced Placement and Supervision 1 in the first term of placement, and  Advanced Placement and Supervision 2 in the second term of placement. Students must complete a minimum of 240 hours placement including a minimum 80 hours of one to one counselling and / or counselling group therapy*.

Counselling is defined by PACFA as ‘An explicitly contracted counselling relationship with a focus for change’. Counselling would usually take place over three or more face-to-face sessions to allow time for the counselling relationship to develop. Group work therapy also meets the requirements for counselling hours. Case management, counselling research, support groups, informal work utilising counselling skills with individuals, children or families would not be considered ‘counselling’ for placement purposes.

Students are expected to attend a placement agency for a minimum of one day per week from 9am to 5pm throughout the two terms of placement. The agency supervisor remains responsible for all clients seen by the student throughout the placement. Students must be supervised at all times (though your supervisor may not necessarily be in the room with you). Case notes must be kept and reviewed by the agency supervisor. Visits to external sites must be accompanied by an agency staff member. Mandatory reporting issues or other serious issues that arise during a counselling session must be brought to the attention of the agency supervisor immediately.

Placement Agency Supervisor

Your placement agency supervisor is the person with whom you work closely and who directs your activity and supervises you on a daily basis.

Your agency supervisor must:

1. Be a practicing counsellor, social worker, psychologist or psychotherapist
2. Be in a supervisory role in the organisation
3. Have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in counselling, psychotherapy or a related profession with equivalent qualifications, including appropriate professional registration (or be eligible to apply for professional registration as approved by ACAP)
4. Have a minimum of 5 years relevant experience in a profession as listed above, or a minimum of 3 years in the profession, plus 2 years in the helping profession, such as youth work, medicine, nursing, education, life coaching, ministry, child safety officer, mental health case worker, or a registered carer.
5. Not have any other relationship with the student (e.g. family, therapist, current educator etc.)

Note: ACAP provides clinical supervision for counselling students on placement, however the Agency Supervisor must provide adequate daily support, and regular supervision for the student.

Clinical Supervision on Placement

Students undertaking placement must be concurrently enrolled in the units Advanced Placement and Supervision 1 in the first term of placement, and  Advanced Placement and Supervision 2 in the second term of placement. Group Clinical supervision is undertaken during these classes. Further details are available by viewing the unit descriptions.

Appropriate / possible duties for counselling placement may include:

• Group therapy e.g. Anxiety, depression, anger management etc.
• Co-counselling
• One to one counselling
• Online/telephone counselling*
• Person Centred counselling
• Solution focused counselling
• Crisis counselling*
• Counselling services within a community or welfare agency (youth counsellor, aged care, disabled care, alcohol and other drugs counselling etc.)
• Health care work or counselling in the allied health professions such as family support services, child, adolescent and family counselling
• Bereavement counselling and palliative care
• Observing, co facilitating or facilitating appropriate skilled assessment, information, referral and assistance to clients
• Liaising with co-workers and other service providers
• Casework, case notes liaising with other services
• Maintaining records and collecting client information
• Participating in the development, analysis, evaluation and planning of services
• Participating in the organisation as appropriate including the implementation of projects, programs and promotional activities
• Conducting individual or family interviews to identify clients’ circumstances and requirements
• Assisting in the provision of services, or referring clients to other community organisations which may be better able to provide more appropriate services
• Facilitating support groups

Students are expected to participate in all the activities of the organisation that a counsellor employed at the agency would participate in e.g. fill in on reception at lunch breaks, answer the phones if receptionist is busy and some administration work. However students should be primarily focused on counselling or counselling related work throughout their placement.

*Conditions apply, please contact Placement Staff for further details.

BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK

The Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) include two placements totalling 1,000 hours. These placements are split into Field Education 1 (500 hours) and Field Education 2 (500 hours).

In the standard sequence, placements will be completed in T6 (Year 2) and T12 (Year 4). Planning for Field Education begins in the trimester prior to your placement.

A total of 28 hours of practice-theory integration seminars are included in the 1,000 hours across both placements, taught fortnightly. These seminars are designed to facilitate the integration of theory and practice during the students’ learning experience.

These placements introduce students to the real world of practice. Students will be placed in agencies where they get the opportunity to utilise the skills developed in studying social work theory and practice. Students are expected to develop practices that take account of the socio-economic structure of people’s lives as well as their psychosocial situations, to gain an understanding of the policy and organisational context of direct practice, and to explore the application of relevant theory and knowledge in the relevant fields of practice.

Field Education 1 (FE1)

The first placement introduces students to human services agencies and social work fields of practice. This is when the student immerses in the full integration of theory and practice applying the knowledge and skills learned in class. It is in this unit that the student commences experiencing themselves as emerging social work professionals. Students are mentored, supervised and supported to reflect critically upon their practice as well as their personal assumptions and beliefs.

Placement opportunities for the first placement include agencies and human service agencies, such as family and children’s services, local community centres, community health centres, crisis support and/or accommodation services, hospitals, housing services, mental health services, and large and small government and NGOs.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for Field Education 1 may be available on application. Please email [email protected] more information.

Field Education 2 (FE2)

The second and final placement serves three purposes. Firstly, it provides students with an opportunity to build on and extend the professional knowledge and skills acquired on the first placement and to apply and ‘test out’ subsequent theoretical and critical skills learned. Secondly, students are challenged further to allow for greater depth of learning. Finally, the second placement offers students a contrasting practice setting, allowing them to transfer their learning across client populations, problem circumstances and organisational environments. This process facilitates the development of a professional identity based on an understanding of the ‘universals’ of practice.

Placement opportunities for the second placement include further options, such as local, state and federal governments, schools and universities, social enterprise and community development projects, and indirect practice opportunities such as research, advocacy and policy development.

Enquiries

Please email [email protected] for further information.

Please remember that Field Education is a subject that is broader than your placements. The pre-placement tasks, assessments and your interactions with key people involved in the placements are all part of demonstrating your professional readiness for practice. Your patience, courtesy and respectful interactions are noticed and appreciated.

MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK (QUALIFYING)

The Master of Social Work (Qualifying) include two placements totalling 1,000 hours. These placements are split into Field Education 1 (500 hours) and Field Education 2 (500 hours).

In the standard sequence, placements will be completed in T3 (Year 1) and T6 (Year 2). Planning for Field Education begins in the trimester prior to your placement.

A total of 28 hours of practice-theory integration seminars are included in the 1,000 hours across both placements, taught fortnightly. These seminars are designed to facilitate the integration of theory and practice during the students’ learning experience.

These placements introduce students to the real world of practice. Students will be placed in agencies where they get the opportunity to utilise the skills developed in studying social work theory and practice. Students are expected to develop practices that take account of the socio-economic structure of people’s lives as well as their psychosocial situations, to gain an understanding of the policy and organisational context of direct practice, and to explore the application of relevant theory and knowledge in the relevant fields of practice.

Field Education 1 (FE1)

The first placement introduces students to human services agencies and social work fields of practice. This is when the student immerses in the full integration of theory and practice applying the knowledge and skills learned in class. It is in this unit that the student commences experiencing themselves as emerging social work professionals. Students are mentored, supervised and supported to reflect critically upon their practice as well as their personal assumptions and beliefs.

Placement opportunities for the first placement include agencies and human service agencies, such as family and children’s services, local community centres, community health centres, crisis support and/or accommodation services, hospitals, housing services, mental health services, and large and small government and NGOs.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for Field Education 1 may be available on application. Please email [email protected] for more information.

Field Education 2 (FE2)

The second and final placement serves three purposes. Firstly, it provides students with an opportunity to build on and extend the professional knowledge and skills acquired on the first placement and to apply and ‘test out’ subsequent theoretical and critical skills learned. Secondly, students are challenged further to allow for greater depth of learning. Finally, the second placement offers students a contrasting practice setting, allowing them to transfer their learning across client populations, problem circumstances and organisational environments. This process facilitates the development of a professional identity based on an understanding of the ‘universals’ of practice.

Placement opportunities for the second placement include further options, such as local, state and federal governments, schools and universities, social enterprise and community development projects, and indirect practice opportunities such as research, advocacy and policy development.

Enquiries

Please email [email protected] for more information.

Please remember that Field Education is a subject that is broader than your placements. The pre-placement tasks, assessments and your interactions with key people involved in the placements are all part of demonstrating your professional readiness for practice. Your patience, courtesy and respectful interactions are noticed and appreciated.