WIR257 - Field Placement

Outline info
Semester
School
Last revision date Sep 23, 2024 1:13:48 AM
Last review date Oct 7, 2024 12:15:01 AM


Subject Title
Field Placement

Subject Description
Field placement is an opportunity for students to take part in the day-to-day operations of a settlement/social service organization through a supervised field practicum. Under the direct supervision of a staff member, students will learn the philosophy, functions, procedures, strengths, and challenges of their practicum organization while integrating knowledge and theory to practice.  Students will become part of a professional team and learn to meet the needs of people and issues serviced by the organization.   

Credit Status
One credit.

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject the student will be able to:


Upon successful completion of this subject, the student will be able to:
 
1. Integrate and negotiate the application of theoretical concepts taught through the SSW-IR Program to field practice. (V2,3,4,7,9)
 
2. Develop and maintain professional relationships with clients and colleagues which adhere to professional, legal, and ethical standards aligned to settlement and social service work. (V1)
 
3. Develop and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues, supervisors, and community partners. (V6)
 
4. Present professionally to settlement and social service work by adhering to the Ontario College of Social Work and Social Service Work Code of Ethics. (V1)
 
5. Demonstrate the ability to commit to professional growth by achieving specific field-based learning outcomes developed in the learning contract. (V7)
 
6. Maintain a record of their placement activities through the submission of paperwork required by Seneca College. (V1,6)
 
For a detailed listing of Vocational Learning Outcomes (VLO's), visit http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/pepg/audiences/colleges/progstan/humserv/50721-social-service-worker.html
 
Additional learning outcomes for WIR 257 are contained in each student's personal Learning Contract. The seminar Faculty and the Field Supervisor will support the student in developing their learning contracts. The Field Liaison will monitor the implementation of the learning contract through dialogue with the student and the Field Supervisor.
 
In addition to documenting the student's learning outcomes, the learning contract is meant to serve as a tool when completing the mid-term and final evaluation. It is encouraged and expected that both the mid-term and final evaluation will be completed in a face-to-face meeting between the student and the Field Supervisor. If the student and the supervisor disagree about a mark and/or comment on the evaluation, each is to document their disagreement and attach this to the evaluation form before it is submitted to the College. It is expected that both the student and supervisor will know what the other has written.
 
The Field Liaison will make his or her best efforts to visit both the student and Field Supervisor at their site in each semester; in addition, phone and email contact will be made as required. In extraordinary circumstances, the Field Liaison may conduct more than one field placement visit.

Essential Employability Skills

    •  Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken and visual form that fulfils the purpose and meets the needs of the audience.

    •  Respond to written, spoken, or visual messages in a manner that ensures effective communication.

    •  Apply a systematic approach to solve problems.

    •  Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems.

    •  Locate, select, organize, and document information using appropriate technology and information systems.

    •  Analyze, evaluate, and apply relevant information from a variety of sources.

    •  Show respect for diverse opinions, values, belief systems, and contributions of others.

    •  Interact with others in groups or teams in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals.

    •  Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects.

    •  Take responsibility for one's own actions, decisions, and consequences.

Academic Integrity
Seneca upholds a learning community that values academic integrity, honesty, fairness, trust, respect, responsibility and courage. These values enhance Seneca's commitment to deliver high-quality education and teaching excellence, while supporting a positive learning environment. Ensure that you are aware of Seneca's Academic Integrity Policy which can be found at: http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/academic-integrity-policy.html Review section 2 of the policy for details regarding approaches to supporting integrity. Section 2.3 and Appendix B of the policy describe various sanctions that can be applied, if there is suspected academic misconduct (e.g., contract cheating, cheating, falsification, impersonation or plagiarism).

Please visit the Academic Integrity website http://open2.senecac.on.ca/sites/academic-integrity/for-students to understand and learn more about how to prepare and submit work so that it supports academic integrity, and to avoid academic misconduct.

Discrimination/Harassment
All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and/or harassment. Language or activities that defeat this objective violate the College Policy on Discrimination/Harassment and shall not be tolerated. Information and assistance are available from the Student Conduct Office at student.conduct@senecapolytechnic.ca.

Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
The College will provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities in order to promote academic success. If you require accommodation, contact the Counselling and Accessibility Services Office at ext. 22900 to initiate the process for documenting, assessing and implementing your individual accommodation needs.

Camera Use and Recordings - Synchronous (Live) Classes
Synchronous (live) classes may be delivered in person, in a Flexible Learning space, or online through a Seneca web conferencing platform such as MS Teams or Zoom. Flexible Learning spaces are equipped with cameras, microphones, monitors and speakers that capture and stream instructor and student interactions, providing an in-person experience for students choosing to study online.

Students joining a live class online may be required to have a working camera in order to participate, or for certain activities (e.g. group work, assessments), and high-speed broadband access (e.g. Cable, DSL) is highly recommended. In the event students encounter circumstances that impact their ability to join the platform with their camera on, they should reach out to the professor to discuss. Live classes may be recorded and made available to students to support access to course content and promote student learning and success.

By attending live classes, students are consenting to the collection and use of their personal information for the purposes of administering the class and associated coursework. To learn more about Seneca's privacy practices, visit Privacy Notice.

Prerequisite(s)
All Module 1 subjects & SWL226
-Students must have a police check completed prior to fieldwork. These often take 6 to 8 weeks to process.
It is your responsibility to ensure that police checks are current.

Co-requisite:

WIR247

Topic Outline
Note:
Continuing Education Students enrolled in this subject must complete 300 hours of field work in Module 2.

Mode of Instruction
Student's field learning will take place under the supervision of a field supervisor and a Seneca College faculty advisor and may include the following: research, observation, agency assignments,  weekly supervisor's meetings, team meetings, on-site visits from the faculty advisor, evaluations based on the Learning Contract, professional development opportunities, feedback, etc. 

Prescribed Texts
Students are required to purchase the Seneca College Field Placement Manual

To find out the cost of books and learning material go here.

Any courses not listed on the bookstore webpage do not require any resources for purchase. All resources will be provided by your instructor.

Student Progression and Promotion Policy

http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/student-progression-and-promotion-policy.html

Grading Policyhttp://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/grading-policy.html

A+ 90%  to  100%
A 80%  to  89%
B+ 75%  to  79%
B 70%  to  74%
C+ 65%  to  69%
C 60%  to  64%
D+ 55%  to  59%
D 50%  to  54%
F 0%    to  49% (Not a Pass)
OR
EXC Excellent
SAT Satisfactory
UNSAT Unsatisfactory

For further information, see a copy of the Academic Policy, available online (http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/academics-and-student-services.html) or at Seneca's Registrar's Offices. (https://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/registrar.html).


Modes of Evaluation
Term Work and Exam Requirements:

Students must attain a grade of at least 50% to pass the course.

Assignments:

Unless students have been granted an extension on their assignments, late assignments will be penalized one letter grade per week, and will not be graded after two weeks.

For further information on evaluation and academic standing, see a copy of the Academic Policy avalable at Seneca Registration offices or online at www.senecac.on.ca/home/academic_policy.

Test/Exams:

Test and Exam dates have been pre-arranged and are non-negotiable.

If a test/exam is missed, the student must provide documentation to support his/her absence to the instructor within one week.

Make-up tests or exams will be granted for extenuating circumstances only and at the discretion of the faculty. If granted, the test or exam will be written on the designated deferred/supplemental date.

Note:  As this is a two semester subject a final grade is given at the end of the placement after the second semester.  Students must keep a copy of all final assignments submitted as originals are not returned. 

Required Documentation:
1.Job Description
2.Learning Contract Completed for Faculty Approval
3.Mid-term Evaluation
4.Validated Learning Contract Assignment
5.Final Evaluation from Field Practicuum
6.Time Sheets

All requirements must be satisfactorily completed in order to pass the subject.  Students are responsible for informing their field supervisors about the field documentation and due dates and for submitting them on time.

Grading Scheme:
SAT - Satisfactory
UNSAT - Unsatisfactory

A final grade in SWK257 is recommended by the field supervisor but the grade which appears on the Seneca College official transcript is the responsibility of the Promotion Committee.

Please Note:  Failure to obtain a passing grade in WIR 257 will result in no credit being granted in Integrative Field Work Seminar (WIR 247). Failure to obtain a passing grade in WIR 247 will result in no credit being granted in Field Practice (WIR 257)

Attendance
Attendance at field placement is mandatory on all scheduled days. Failure to attend on all of the days puts the student's standing in jeopardy, infringes on the reputation of the program, and disrupts the functioning of the field placement agency.  Any loss of placement time must be fully explained to the field supervisor and the faculty advisor. In case of unforeseen circumstances or emergencies the student must, immediately, notify the field supervisor and the faculty advisor.  Lost time due to such circumstances must be made up before a student will be able to obtain a passing grade in the field practicuum.

In cases where a field placement must be terminated, the placement days up to that point may not count towards the subject requirements of WIR 257. 

Approved by: Sandra Noble