Workplace Learning
- About
- Social Work
- Diversional Therapy
- Human Services
Workplace Learning Education is a core element and a major part of the students development of a professional identity. It provides an opportunity for students to observe, question and model professional behaviour. Each Workplace Learning experience is integrated with a subject covering theory and practice.
- Social Work - Field Education for Social Work/Social Welfare in Human Services
Workplace Learning
Phone 02 6933 2784
Email HumanServices-WPL@csu.edu.au
Professional Education and Workplace Learning
Social Work
Social work students must complete 1,000 hours of field education during their degree in order to be eligible for membership of Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
At CSU this is divided between 2 subjects. Usually students will complete 500 hours in each subject. While there is flexibility as to how many hours are completed in each subject, the total hours completed across both subjects has to be 1,000 hours. The minimum time for one subject is 280 hours. The balance of time must be made up in the other subject.
Each placement has to be in a different field of practice and practice setting to meet AASW requirements.
One placement must have a primarily direct or interpersonal skills focus. The other placement has to have an indirect focus (some kinds of group work, community work, policy, research). Most field education subjects are year long, and students must enrol for both sessions, with students starting throughout the year depending on individual circumstances and placement availability.
Please note: Serena Mathews is now the Field Education Coordinator and Academic Lead for Social Work
Subjects
You must enrol for both first and second session of the same subject as it is a year long subject. That is 201930 and 201960.
- HCS303 – Social Work Field Education 1
- HCS402 – Social Work Field Education 2
- HCS505 – Social Work Field Education 1
- HCS506 – Social Work Field Education 2
There is also a single session full time subject in the BSW for students who need to complete their degree, or who need a double subject to make up a full time study load:
- SWK424 Social Work Field Education 2A
Required Documentation
All students are required to submit a current resume, a certified copy of a current National Police Check, and a Working with Children's Check. These are available from:
Students wishing to complete a placement in NSW Health must be verified as health compliant. This process may take up to 6 weeks or more, so please read the information and discuss the requirements with your doctor.
Health have developed some videos to help you understand the compliance process. View them at this link:
Professional Practice Assessment (PPA)
PPA is a strand of the first Social Work Field Education subject (HCS303 or HCS505). It can be completed in place of the Placement strand and replaces the original Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). In this strand students complete a series of assessments reflecting on their work experience, how they meet the AASW practice standards and are developing their professional identity as beginning social workers.
For further information
- PPA Process [pdf]
Further Information
Diversional Therapy
Welcome to Leisure and Health (Diversional Therapy) Work Place Learning at Charles Sturt University. Work Place Learning (or Field Education or Placement) is a collaborative venture between the Human Services Field and Charles Sturt University - its staff and students. All three parties work collaboratively to create the optimum environment for your professional learning, and to assess your performance. Going out on placement is the part of their learning that students most remember. It is the place where your developing professional identity, skills and knowledge all come together. This is your opportunity to find out if Diversional Therapy is really the career for you. It is also the time to put theory and practice together in real life situations.
Important information to assist you to prepare for work place learning is located on this website. Once you enrol in the subject and register for placement further information will be provided. Please note that some activities such as securing your National Police Check or obtaining vaccinations may involve significant time frames e.g. A Hepatitis B vaccination is a six month process. Early preparation for these requirements can facilitate a smooth transition to the actual placement.
Required Documentation
All students are required to submit a current resume, a certified copy of a current National Police Check, and a Working with Children's Check. These are available from:
Students wishing to complete a placement in NSW Health must be verified as health compliant. This process may take up to 6 weeks or more, so please read the information and discuss the requirements with your doctor.
Health have developed some videos to help you understand the compliance process. View them at this link:
Students undertaking their placement with Health in other states are still required to undertake the above process. However the verification process does vary so please liaise with the WPL office around this.
Further information
LES210 Diversional Therapy and Leisure Practice (16)
Diversional and Recreation Therapy Australia
Free Subject - WPL: Theory and Practice (EEL513)
Free Subject - Supervising Social Work and Human Service Students (HCS514)
Student Resources
DT Workplace Experience Learning Contract
Diversional Therapy (DRT) Field Education Handbook 2019
Supervisor Resources
Please Note: This page is currently under development
WORK PLACE LEARNING PROCESS FOR STUDENTS UNDERTAKING THE
BACHELOR OF HUMAN SERVICES
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Human Services are required to undertake 2 placements for a total of 400 hours.
WPL is an important part of a student’s education. Student placements allow students to experience the frontline tasks of a community service work and provides the opportunity to develop the practical skills needed in the workplace.
A fieldwork placement allows a student to integrate theory into practice through a range of community and human service experiences. For more information please refer to the sheet attached
Please also refer the placement FAQ's for the Bachelor of Human Services.
Prior Learning Strand (PLS)
There are two options for students to undertake
- The Prior Learning Strand (PLS) – is relevant to students who are currently working in the Human Services Field.
- Credit for previous placement hours undertaken during students Diploma studies.
For further information please refer to the sheet attached
Required Documentation
All students are required to submit a current resume, a certified copy of a current National Police Check, and a Working with Children's Check. These are available from:
Students wishing to complete a placement in NSW Health must be verified as health compliant. This process may take up to 6 weeks or more, so please read the information and discuss the requirements with your doctor.
Health have developed some videos to help you understand the compliance process. View them at this link:
