SOS5-202 Social work placement

All first-year courses and the previous two second-year courses must be passed.

The placement will contribute to an increased understanding of the interrelation between research, theory and practice. Specific learning opportunities include knowledge of the public welfare system and the ability to work with children and youth in an ethically sound way. The period out on placement is an important element in the preparation to become a professional social worker.

By the end of the previous term all students are offered individual councelling regarding their placement. Prearatory lessons are arranged before the placement period starts. The placement provides students with the opportunity to acquire relevant social work skills. They will put into practice and develop knowledge, competence and attitudes in collaboration with clients supervised by a placement mentor. Students will learn how to stimulate client's choices, focussing their resources through the assessment, planning and implementation of relevant measures. Students will be able to reflect ethically on their actions and interventions, and to demonstrate solidarity towards people in a vulnerable position. The placement also involves work with questions of law. During the period of practice students are expected to observe the working hours which are in operation at their specific placement. The practice mentor offers two hours supervision each week. The student is entitled to 7 1/2 hours reading time per week.

Students receive some financial support during their placement.

Lectures, seminars, written and oral presentations, independent professional social work during the placement supervised by a placement mentor and a teacher from the university college.

Nineteen weeks practice, including written individual assignments which are submitted to the university college (optional literature, learning agreement, practice report). Please also view "Course requirements" below.

Students may have part of their placement abroad.

Participation in classes at the univerisity college:

• Preparatory lessons
• Post-placement gathering

Written papers assessed by the univeristy college:

• Placement report with one written feedback

Grade: passed/failed.

The assessment is based on:

Personal presence
The practice period is compulsory, and abscence without leave is not accepted. The maximum absence permitted is ten days. If the ten day limit is exceeded, a special agreement with the university college and with the placement is necessary. If the placement period is split into two periods, the first period must be passed before the second one starts.

Professional rules and regulations
The student must know the relevant rules and regulations of working life and is expected to behave accordingly.

Skills
The student is expected to be able to

• demonstrate appropriate flexibility in the communication and interaction with both clients and partners.
• analyse problems and to implement the relevant interventions.
• produce written material related to the placement, such as journals, case papers and reports, utilizing relevant theoretical knowledge gained from theoretical courses.
• focus on the chioices of individuals in their work.
• separate personal and professional values, and to work in an ethically sound way.

APPROVAL
The placement mentor recommends wether the the placement is approved or rejected. The final decision lies with the university college.

WHEN APPROVAL IS IN DOUBT
"The assessment is a continuous process which runs through the whole placement period. If doubt emerges whether the student will be able to succeed, he will receive a written warning half way through the period or three weeks before the completion of the placement at the latest. The warning will underline the reasons for doubt, and will state which demands the student must fulfill in order to pass his placement period. If by the end of the placement the student without reasonable doubt still does not comply with the demands stated, his placement may still be assessed as not passed even if a warning has not been issued beforehand." (Extract from national regulations, issued 01.12.2005.)

Killén, K. (1992): Faglig veiledning - et tverrfaglig perspektiv. Oslo

Universitetsforlaget. (138 s.)

Skau, G.M. (1996): Mellom makt og hjelp. Oslo. Tano. Kap. 1 - 10 (130 s.).

Skau, G.M.(1998): Gode fagfolk vokser... Oslo. Cappelen Akademisk Forlag. Kap 1,2 og 3. (85 s)

Kompendium med artikkelsamling: Ikkje fastsett.

Sjølvalt pensum - praksis 1000 sider.

Med atterhald om endring.
24.04.2006