Bachelor of Science in Social Work Field Manual

Transcription

1 Bachelor of Science in Social Work Field Manual

2 Liberty University Psychology Suite, DeMoss University Blvd Lynchburg, VA Christine Fulmer, MSW Director of Social Work Department (434) Raquel Ellis, MSW, PhD Director of Social Work Field Education (434)

3 Table of Contents ACKNOWLEDGMENTS... 6 I. INTRODUCTION... 7 II. FIELD EDUCATION OVERVIEW... 9 A. Field Education Eligibility... 9 B. Field Experience Requirements B.1 Junior Field Experience B.2 Senior Field Experience B.3 Field Experience and Seminar Course Grade C. Field Education Enrollment Documents C.1 Acknowledgement of Field Manual Review C.2 Release of Student Information by the Department of Social Work C.3 Student Resume C.4 Criminal and Child Abuse Background Check C.5 Professional Liability Insurance C.6 Driver s License and Car Insurance D. Agency Placement Process D.1 Field Placement Agency Options D.2 Field Placement Agency Interviews D.3 Suggested Agenda Items for Field Placement Agency Interviews

4 D.4 Agency Placement Decisions E. Field Placement Schedules E1. Field Days E2. Holidays and Vacations E3. Absences Due to Illness or other Circumstances III. MISSION STATEMENT, GOALS, AND LEARNING OUTCOMES A. Mission Statement B. Program Goals C. Program Learning Outcomes IV. SOCIAL WORK COMPETENCIES AND PRACTICE BEHAVIORS V. NACSW STATEMENT OF FAITH AND PRACTICE VI. NASW CODE OF ETHICS VII. CSWE EDUCATION POLICY AND ACCREDITATION STANDARDS VIII. MUTUAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBLITIES A. Liberty University B. Director of Field Education/Field Seminar Professor C. Students D. Field Instructor XI. HANDLING CHALLENGES DURING FIELD EXPERIENCE 45 A. Finishing Field Experience Late B. Changing Agency Experiences C. Addressing Grievances

5 D. Racial Discrimination and Harassment E. Sexual Harassment, Discrimination, and Assault F. Other Personal Safety Issues G. Professional Competency Expectations and Restoration Process H. Field Placement Agency Dismissal or Course Withdrawal

6 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The Director of Field Education, Dr. Raquel Ellis, would like to thank Christine Fulmer, Director of the Social Work Department, and Zachary Grafman, the Department s Faculty Support Coordinator, for their input and technical support in assembling this field manual. 6

7 I. INTRODUCTION Field education is a central component of the instruction and training that students receive to prepare them for a professional career in social work. Field work offers students the opportunity to apply the theory and knowledge gained in the classroom to different practice settings. This manual provides an overview of Liberty University s social work field education policies, procedures, and requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work (BSSW). The purpose of the manual is to orient and offer guidance to BSSW Students, Faculty, Field Instructors, and other Agency Personnel involved in social work field education as they engage in the field experience. In addition to describing the roles and responsibilities of each party involved, this manual provides an overview of the Department of Social Work s mission statement, goals and learning outcomes, the social work competencies and practice behaviors adopted by the Department, Code of Ethics for the North American Association of Christians in Social Work (NACSW) and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), and the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Education Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS). This information offers guiding principles for social work education that support the goal of successfully preparing students for a professional career in social work. Liberty University s Social Work Department offers junior and senior field experience and seminar courses. In these courses, students receive supervised practice experience in an agency setting while concurrently attending a seminar class that offers the opportunity to process their field experiences and engage in further learning. The integration of classroom and field activities provides students a unique and comprehensive learning experience to support their development as professional social workers. 7

8 The Social Work Department offers field opportunities in a variety of practice settings for both residential and online students. These settings include opportunities to engage in different levels of practice from direct practice with individuals and families (micro-level), practice with neighborhoods and small groups (mezzo-level), and practice that impacts larger systems such as policy analysis, administration, and research (macro-level). Students are also offered field opportunities in a variety of geographical locations, including international settings. Any inquiries and/or comments regarding any of the information included in this manual should be directed to Mr. Zachary Grafman, Faculty Support Coordinator for Social Work at residentialsocialwork@liberty.edu or luosocialwork@liberty.edu. Written inquiries and/or comments may also be sent by postage mail to the Department of Social Work, Psychology Suite 4008, Liberty University, 1971 University Blvd. Lynchburg, VA

9 II. FIELD EDUCATION OVERVIEW A. Field Education Eligibility Students must meet the following eligibility requirements prior to engaging in field work: 1. Successfully pass the first of several Program Gates by receiving formal approval for admission into the BSSW Program (For details on the admission process, go to 2. Be in good standing with the Department, which includes the following: a. Have a C or higher in all social work classes. b. Maintain satisfactory citizenship and ethical behavior. c. Consistently demonstrate the values of the profession: integrity, service, the value of human relationships, dignity and worth of a person, competence, and social justice. 3. Complete all required prerequisite courses. Students must complete several prerequisite courses meant to provide the foundational knowledge and theory essential for engaging in field work. Students must complete these courses with a minimum grade of C prior to initiating their junior field experience. As shown in the following table, both residential and online students must take PSYC 101, BIOL 102, SOCI 200, HLTH 216, GLST 220, SOWK 101, SOWK 270, and SOWK 260. Residential students must also complete SOWK 120 and 150 while online students must complete SOWK 135 (a course that combines SOWK 120 and 150). 9

10 Fieldwork Prerequisites for Residential and Online Students Prerequisites for Fieldwork Residential Students Online Students PSYC 101 Required Required BIOL 102 Required Required SOCI 200 Required Required HLTH 216 Required Required GLST 220 Required Required SOWK 101 Required Required SOWK 260 Required Required SOWK 270 Required Required SOWK 355 Required* Required SOWK 120 Required SOWK 150 Required SOWK 135 Required * Residential students can complete SOWK 355 prior to or during junior fieldwork. Below is an overview of the SOWK prerequisite courses. Information on the non-social work courses can be found in the course catalog online. Introduction to Social Work (SOWK 101) is a residential and online course that gives an overview of the field of social work practice. Topics regarding the ecclesiastical beginnings of the profession, additional historical components, the integration of faith and practice, as well as social work values and ethics will be explored. Social Work Field Exploration (SOWK 120) is a residential course that provides an overview of social work practice and settings of practice. Topics in the course are centered on social work practice in places such as child welfare, schools, domestic violence shelters, hospice, hospitals, mental health clinics, assisted living facilities, and early intervention programs. During this course, students have the opportunity to attend multiple field exploration trips to a variety of local agencies that employ social workers. 10

11 Intensive Social Work Observation (SOWK 150) is a residential course that offers students the opportunity to spend a full work week observing a professional social worker in one particular setting of practice. Settings may include, but are not limited to places such as child welfare agencies, schools, domestic violence shelters, hospice facilities, hospitals, mental health clinics, assisted living facilities, and early intervention programs. The requirements of the course are typically fulfilled during the student s spring or winter break. Social Work Field Exploration and Observation (SOWK 135) is an online course on the study of social work practice and settings of practice. Topics in the course are centered on social work practice in places such as child welfare, schools, domestic violence shelters, hospice, hospitals mental health clinics, assisted living facilities, and early intervention programs. Participatory observation of a professional social worker for a full work week is also included in this course. Ethics in Professional Helping (SOWK 270) is a residential and online course on the study of values and principles of ethical decision making. Topics in the course are ethical dilemmas, critical thinking, professional codes of ethics, and common morality; each topic is evaluated through a biblical worldview. Chemical Dependency (SOWK 260) is a residential and online course that presents an overview of the concepts associated with the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Topics in the course are the various perspectives on treatment and prevention options; each topic is evaluated through a biblical worldview. Social Work Practice with Groups (SOWK 355) is a course that provides students with the opportunity to develop an understanding of theories, methods and skills in relation to generalist practice with social work groups. This course also provides the forum for students to gain an understanding of cultural values of individuals and the impact of those values on the group process. Emphasis will be placed on the importance 11

12 of being a culturally sensitive group leader. This is a prerequisite course for online students. Residential students are expected to complete this course prior to or concurrently with their junior fieldwork. Please note that this course is only offered residentially. B. Field Experience Requirements Field experience is a required component of the BSSW program. All residential and online students admitted to the BSSW program must complete both junior and senior field experience and seminar courses. The Social Work Department does not provide exemptions to these requirements based on previous work or life experience. Below is an overview of the Department requirements for the junior and senior field experiences. Field Experience Course Requirements Field Experience and Seminar Courses Field Hours Residential Students Online Students SOWK 370 Junior Field 100 Required Required Experience and Seminar Course SOWK 470 Senior Field 400 Required Experience and Seminar Course SOWK 475 Senior Field 300 Required Experience and Seminar Course SOWK 477 Senior Field Experience and Seminar Course 100 Required B.1 Junior Field Experience 12

13 Junior field experience provides residential and online students with the opportunity to perform in the role of a social work practitioner under the supervision of an experienced social worker. Students are expected to complete a minimum of 100 field hours over the course of one semester within one practice setting that employs social workers. Students complete their field experience concurrently with a field seminar course (SOWK 370). Students will meet for the field seminar course for one hour weekly to discuss the theoretical and conceptual concepts learned in the classroom with the practical experiences in field placement. The junior field experience and seminar course is only offered during the Spring semester. The hours in field seminar do not count toward the required field hours. B.2 Senior Field Experience Both residential and online students must satisfactorily complete the junior field experience and seminar course prior to engaging in a senior field experience. Senior field experience provides students with the opportunity to perform in the role of a social work practitioner under the supervision of an experienced master's level social worker. Students complete their field experience concurrently with a field seminar course. Students will meet for the field seminar for two hours weekly to discuss the theoretical and conceptual concepts learned in the classroom with the practical experiences in field placement. The hours in field seminar do not count toward the required field hours. Both residential and online students are expected to complete a minimum of 400 field hours. Residential students must complete their field hour over the course of one semester within one practice setting that employs social workers. The Senior Field Experience and Seminar course (SOWK 470) is only offered during the Fall semester. Online students are expected to complete their senior field hours over two courses. In the Senior Field Experience and Seminar A course (SOWK 475), 13

14 online students will complete a minimum of 300 field hours over the course of one semester within one practice setting. Then, in the Senior Field Experience and Seminar B course (SOWK 477), students will complete a minimum of 100 field hours over the course of another semester within one practice setting. These two courses may be taken concurrently. B.3 Field Experience and Seminar Course Grade For both residential and online students, junior and senior field experience and seminar courses are graded on an A to F scale. Students receive one grade for both the completion of field work and participation in the seminar. Please see the course syllabi for additional requirements for these courses. C. Field Education Enrollment Documents In addition to completing all prerequisite courses, residential and online students must submit several documents prior to engaging in fieldwork. These documents must be uploaded to social work field education website by the due dates set by the Department of Social Work. Students must complete and submit the Initial Field Admission Checklist Form (See field website for form.) to document their status of completing prerequisites and to ensure that all initial enrollment documents are submitted to the Department. Please see the Student Pre-Placement Checklist (See field website for form.) for details on submission due dates for field forms and additional required documents. C.1 Acknowledgement of Field Manual Review It is imperative that students read the entire field manual to become familiar with all policies and procedures that govern the BSSW field education program. Students must sign and submit the Acknowledgement of Field Manual Review Form (See field website for form.) as documentation that they have read and understood the contents of the manual and understand the Department s expectation that they adhere to the policies and procedures detailed within the manual. A new version of the manual will be available at the beginning of each academic year. 14

15 C.2 Release of Student Information by the Department of Social Work As part of the field placement assignment process, the Field Education staff of the Social Work Department will need to share student placement materials and other relevant information with potential agencies or Field Instructors. This information could include: criminal background information that comes into the possession of the Social Work Department or its employees or contractors, student resumes, student reference letters, liability insurance information, driver s license and car insurance information, and prior field placement evaluations (if applicable or requested). These materials are meant to facilitate the matching process which generally benefits the student and the Field Instructor. Students must sign and submit the Release of Information Form (See field website for form.) indicating their approval to release pertinent information by the Field Education staff to prospective field agencies. C.3 Student Resume Students must develop and submit a professional resume to the Department of Social Work when applying for junior and senior field education. Students can find resume examples as well as information about the resume review procedures on the website of the Career Center. It is a requirement for students to have their resume reviewed by Liberty University s Career Center prior to submission to the Department. Students must submit the feedback from the Career Center to the Department. Students should be aware that the Career Center may take up to two (2) weeks to provide written feedback. C.4 Criminal and Child Abuse Background Check All residential and online students are required to submit to a criminal and child abuse background check to officially enroll in the BSSW program. 15

16 This is a required component of the Introduction to Social Work (SOWK 101) course. The background check is also critical to the field education enrollment process. The results of the background check will be released directly to the student. Students must then provide a copy of their results to the Department of Social Work. If students completed the background check more than one calendar year from the first day of the academic semester in which they are applying for a field placement, then they must order a background re-check. All students must also complete a Disclosure Statement Form (See field website). This form requests additional information that is important to consider when matching students to an appropriate agency for field experience. The form requests disclosure of charges or convictions of any misdemeanor or felony charge and disclosure of being named as a perpetrator of a founded report of child abuse or neglect. Answering in the affirmative will not necessarily preclude students from being able to secure a field placement but may limit the options for field placement as well as impact the ability of students to secure personal liability insurance. The form also requests disclosure of any personal or family issues, illnesses or addictions that could impair students abilities to function well in a social work capacity for a particular agency or with a particular population. Depending on the nature and severity of the issue, the Director of Field Education can assist students in determining whether certain field placements would not be suitable for them. The goal of this effort is to secure field placements for students that would not compromise the well-being of the students and their potential clients. If students fail to disclose any of the information requested, it cannot be guaranteed that they will be able to be placed in a field setting or complete the field education requirements for the BSSW degree. Signing the disclosure form also indicates that students agree to immediately inform the Director of Field Education if they are charged 16

17 with a felony or a misdemeanor during their junior or senior field internship. C.5 Professional Liability Insurance All residential and online students are required to have professional liability insurance while engaging in field work. Professional liability insurance provides legal defense and coverage for settlements or damages from legal action brought against students due to negligent acts, omissions, and errors while practicing at their field placement setting. Although it is not common for students to have legal action brought against them, it is still important to have this protection in place. Liberty University provides insurance coverage of a minimum of $1 million per occurrence and $3 million aggregate for residential students. Online students and students who will engage in international fieldwork should obtain insurance through the organization recommended by the specific field agency and provide the Department of Social Work a copy of their insurance policy. The insurance coverage should be a minimum of $1 million per occurrence and $3 million aggregate. Please note that professional liability insurance coverage must start on or before the start of the field education and seminar course. C.6 Driver s License and Car Insurance Students are responsible for having reliable means of transportation to get to and from their field placements and any other off-site field activities. If students plan to use their personal car as their means of transportation during their field experience, they will need to carry appropriate liability insurance. Students must provide a copy of their automotive insurance card and driver s license to the Social Work Department prior to starting their junior and senior field experience. 17

18 D. Agency Placement Process D.1 Field Placement Agency Options The Social Work Department offers a variety of junior and senior field placement options. All agencies must meet the Department s required criteria for agencies supervising students in field experience (See field website for details). Residential students may choose to interview at any of the approved agencies or propose other agencies of interest. The current list of approved agencies for residential students is available in the Field Directory. Students must select a minimum of three agencies with whom they will complete interviews. Student will complete and submit their list of selected agencies in the Student Agency Interview Choice Form (See field website for form). If students propose any additional agencies outside of those already approved, they must include on the form the requested information about the agency and the social worker employed at the agency and have the social worker sign the form to confirm his/her willingness to serve as Field Instructor. Online students must take the initiative to identify at least three potential agencies in their local community that could serve as their field placement. Once identified, each student will complete and submit their list of selected agencies in the Student Agency Interview Choice Form (See field website for form). Online students must include on the form the requested information about the agency and the social worker employed at the agency and have the social worker sign the form to confirm his/her willingness to serve as Field Instructor. In addition to the various field placement settings available through the Department, residential and online students have the opportunity to complete their senior field hours through Liberty University s Washington Fellowship Program. This program offers assistance in securing a semester-long internship in the Washington DC area, arranges local 18

19 housing, and hosts various professional development and networking activities. This is an ideal program for students interested in a macro practice setting. For more information about this program and its requirements, please go to the Washington Fellowship website. Students interested in this opportunity need to be aware that their acceptance in the program will depend on the student s performance and final grade in their Junior Field Experience and Seminar course and whether they have maintained good standing with the Department of Social Work. Both residential and online students should note that there is no guarantee that a proposed agency will be eligible to serve as a field placement. The Director of Field Education will contact the proposed site to confirm that they meet the Department s required criteria for agencies supervising students in field experience. Once students eligibility for fieldwork has been confirmed and their initial field education enrollment documents described in the Student Pre- Placement Checklist (See field website for enrollment documents and checklist.) and the forms have been processed, they will be notified about the next steps in interviewing with prospective field placement agencies. Please note that students must receive confirmation from the Director of Field Education prior to moving forward with scheduling interviews with prospective field placement agencies. D.2 Field Placement Agency Interviews Field placement agency interviews provide an opportunity for students to learn more about each agency, the roles and responsibilities involved in fieldwork at each agency, and ask specific questions that would facilitate the agency selection process. These interviews also provide agency representatives the opportunity to learn more about the students, their interest in the particular agency, and ask questions that would help them to determine which students would be the best fit for their agency. 19

20 These interviews have the added benefit of providing students an opportunity to have real-world job interview experiences. Students will be expected to contact each agency to schedule interviews. Students should dress professionally and be on time. Students should bring a copy of their resume to provide to the agency representatives as well as a list of questions to ask during the interview. Students may also be asked to fill out an agency job application. Upon receiving notification of their field placement site, students will send an acceptance letter to the agency where they will complete their field work as well as a denial letter to those agencies they did not choose (See field website for sample letters.). These are all standard procedures for any professional seeking employment. To assist in preparing for the interviews, students should review the resources on the Career Center website and consider contacting the Career Center to meet with a representative. Although offering individual interviews is ideal, agency representatives who have multiple students interested in being placed at their agencies may complete group interviews. For junior field experience, students should begin interviewing with different potential field placements towards the end of the Fall semester. Students will start their field experience no later than the second week of the semester. Based on this assumption, students should anticipate working approximately 15 hours a week in order to complete the minimum 100 field hours over an 8 week period. For senior field experience, students should begin interviewing with different potential field placements towards the end of the Spring semester of their junior year. Students will start their field experience no later than the second week of the semester. Based on this assumption, students should anticipate working approximately 32 hours a week in order to complete the minimum of 400 field hours over a14 week period. If there is a delay in the start of field experience, it will be the responsibility of the students to increase the number of hours they work 20

21 each week in order to complete their required minimum hours by the end of the semester. D.3 Suggested Agenda Items for Field Placement Agency Interviews As previously stated, students should prepare and bring a list of questions to ask agency representatives during their interviews. Below are a list of agenda topics and example questions that students should consider when preparing their agency questions. Students should also draft specific questions based on their review of the programs and services that the agency provides and the populations that the agency serves. This information is readily available on agency websites. Agency/Interviewer Background How many people work for the agency? What are the disciplines of the staff members (social workers, counselors, psychologists, teachers, nurses, psychiatrists, paraprofessionals, etc.)? Are there other staff members that I would primarily be working with and would it be possible to meet them? How would you describe your organizational culture? How is the agency funded? How are clients referred to the agency? Are there any materials you would recommend I read about your agency s client population? How did you get into this field? What do you enjoy about it? Student Role and Responsibilities What do you see as the benefits of having a student at this agency? How can I be helpful? 21

22 What are some of the learning activities that a student might be assigned? What would a typical day be like for student? Will I be assigned clients? If so, how many will I have? Will I be expected to do home visits? Besides the Field Instructor, will there be other staff members that I will spend a substantial amount of time working with? Could I meet them today? Training and Supervision What kind of agency orientation will be planned for a student? How would you describe your supervisory style? How would you describe your teaching style? Student Selection What qualities are you looking for in a student? Are there specific skills or experiences that you are looking for in a student? Logistics What hours do you expect a student to work? Are evenings and weekend hours possible? The Department of Social Work does not require students to complete field hours during breaks (e.g. University holidays, spring break and reading days). However, I understand that some agencies may request students to work during these breaks in order to prevent a disruption in service delivery to clients. Can you share what your expectations are around this? Do you expect students to work through Spring Break? 22

23 Does the agency require students to have criminal background checks or immunizations prior to placement? Are there any other special requirements I should know about? Is parking available? Is there a cost? Are there any overnight trips that I should be aware of? If so, does the agency offer reimbursement for expenses incurred for the trip (e.g. meals, lodging, etc.)? Does your agency offer mileage reimbursement to students for work-related travel? Would I have a workspace here with a desk, phone, and computer? How do you address the issue of staff safety? Would it be possible to tour the agency today? D.4 Agency Placement Decisions Once students complete all of their interviews, they will need to fill out and submit the Student s Final Choice Form (field website) to residentialsocialwork@liberty.edu. Agencies will submit their recommendations to the Social Work Department in the Agency s Final Choice Form at residentialsocialwork@liberty.edu. The Director of Field Education will review the completed forms and make final decisions based on the preference of the agencies and students. Although the desire is to place all students in the agency of their first choice, this may not always be possible. In situations where there are multiple students who have selected the same first choice agency, the Director will seek to be as fair as possible in deciding which student will actually be placed at that agency. The Director will make these decisions based on several factors including: the timeliness of the submission (students who submit their paperwork on or before the due date will get priority), the needs of the agency, and what is in the student s best interest. 23

24 Students will be notified by of their final placement. Field Instructors will also be notified by if students are assigned to their agency to complete their field experience. E1. Field Days E. Field Placement Schedules Residential and online students should develop an academic schedule during their junior and senior years that allows for the field experience to be scheduled in half-day/full-day segments. Residential students enrolled in the Junior Field Experience and Seminar course will engage in field work on Tuesday and Thursdays and will attend the field seminar course every Tuesday morning (and some Thursdays). The fieldwork days for students enrolled in the Senior Field Experience and Seminar course will be Tuesdays through Fridays and all will be expected to attend the senior field seminar course that is scheduled for Monday mornings. The Field Instructor and student are expected to work together to make decisions about the student s specific field schedule. Junior and senior students are welcome to work more than the minimum hours a week recommended if they desire to complete the required number of hours prior to the semester ending. However, students must keep in mind that they must satisfy any agency-specific requirements prior to ending their field work. Any additional hours accumulated after students reach the minimum hours required for their junior field experience may not be used toward the hours required for their senior field experience. E2. Holidays and Vacations Students are responsible for informing their Field Instructors of their schedules and vacation plans. The Department of Social Work does not require students to complete field hours during breaks (e.g. University holidays, spring break, and reading days). However, depending on the 24

25 nature of the work, a field supervisor may request that a student work during these times. For example, if a student has built a relationship with a particular client, the Field Instructor may want the student to continue their work with that client during spring break in order to prevent a disruption in service delivery. Students should ask about these expectations during their agency interviews. If a field day falls upon an agency-observed holiday that is not observed by Liberty University, students must make up the missed hours. E3. Absences Due to Illness or other Circumstances If students miss hours/days in field due to illness or other special circumstances, they must make up the missed hours. Students are expected to notify their Field Instructor in advance of any absence or late arrival and follow all agency procedures. Students may want to attend educational events during field placement hours, such as workshops and conferences. Students should request prior approval from their Field Instructor to attend these events. The Field Instructor will determine whether attending the event aligns with the student s Learning Contract. If so, time spent attending the activity will count towards the student s required field hours. 25

26 III. MISSION STATEMENT, GOALS, AND LEARNING OUTCOMES A. Mission Statement The mission of Liberty University s Department of Social Work is to prepare Christ-centered men and women to impact the world through competent generalist social work practice by equipping them with the knowledge, values, and skills of the profession essential for enhancing individual, family, and community well-being. B. Program Goals The goals of Liberty University s Department of Social Work are to develop Christ-centered competent social workers, who: 1) advocate for oppressed people groups; 2) embrace the values of the profession; 3) recognize the impact of the environment on human behavior; 4) are empathetic and strength-based; 5) practice with research-informed wisdom; 6) demonstrate cultural and relational humility; and 7) are healthy emotionally, physically, and spiritually. 26

27 C. Program Learning Outcomes The student will be able to: 1. Integrate faith in the practice of social work. 2. Identify as a professional social worker and conduct oneself accordingly. 3. Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice. 4. Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments. 5. Engage diversity and difference in practice. 6. Advance human rights and social and economic justice. 7. Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research. 8. Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment. 9. Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic wellbeing and to deliver effective social work services. 10. Respond to contexts that shape practice. 11. Engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. 27

28 IV. SOCIAL WORK COMPETENCIES AND PRACTICE BEHAVIORS The table below depicts Liberty University s social work competencies and the practice behaviors that relate to each competency. The social work curriculum, including field education, is designed to prepare students to master each competency through demonstration of each of the practice behaviors. SOCIAL WORK COMPETENCIES Professional Identity SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE BEHAVIORS Social workers advocate for client access to the services of social work. Social workers practice personal reflection and self-correction to assure continual professional development. Social workers attend to professional roles and boundaries. Social workers demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior, appearance, and communication. Social workers engage in career-long learning. Social workers use supervision and consultation. Ethical Practice Social workers recognize and manage personal values in a way that allows professional values to guide practice. 28

29 SOCIAL WORK COMPETENCIES SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE BEHAVIORS Social workers make ethical decisions by applying standards of the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics and, as applicable, of the International Federation of Social Workers/International Association of Schools of Social Work Ethics in Social Work, Statement of Principles. Social workers tolerate ambiguity in resolving ethical conflicts. Social workers apply strategies of ethical reasoning to arrive at principled decisions. Critical Thinking Social workers distinguish, appraise, and integrate multiple sources of knowledge, including research-based knowledge, and practice wisdom. Social workers analyze models of assessment, prevention, intervention, and evaluation. Social workers demonstrate effective oral and written communication in working with individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, and colleagues. Diversity in Practice Social workers recognize the extent to which a culture s structures and values may oppress, marginalize, alienate, or create or enhance privilege and power. Social workers gain sufficient self-awareness to 29

30 SOCIAL WORK COMPETENCIES SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE BEHAVIORS eliminate the influence of personal biases and values in working with diverse groups. Social workers recognize and communicate their understanding of the importance of difference in shaping life experiences. Social workers view themselves as learners and engage those with whom they work as informants. Human Rights & Justice Social workers understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination. Social workers advocate for human rights and social and economic justice. Social workers engage in practices that advance social and economic justice. Research Based Practice Social workers use practice experience to inform scientific inquiry Social workers use research evidence to inform practice. Human Behavior Social workers utilize conceptual frameworks to guide the processes of assessment, intervention, and evaluation. Social workers critique and apply knowledge to understand person and environment. 30

31 SOCIAL WORK COMPETENCIES Policy Practice SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE BEHAVIORS Social workers analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance social well-being. Social workers collaborate with colleagues and clients for effective policy action. Practice Contexts Engage, Assess, Intervene, Evaluate Social workers continuously discover, appraise, and attend to changing locales, populations, scientific and technological developments, and emerging societal trends to provide relevant services. Social workers provide leadership in promoting sustainable changes in service delivery and practice to improve the quality of social services. Engagement Social workers substantively and effectively prepare for action with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social workers use empathy and other interpersonal skills. Social workers develop a mutually agreed-on focus of work and desired outcomes. Assessment Social workers collect, organize, and interpret client data. Social workers assess client strengths and limitations. 31

32 SOCIAL WORK COMPETENCIES Engage, Assess, Intervene, Evaluate SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE BEHAVIORS Social workers develop mutually agreed-on intervention goals and objectives. Social workers select appropriate intervention strategies. Intervention Social workers initiate actions to achieve organizational goals. Social workers implement prevention interventions that enhance client capacities. Social workers help clients resolve problems. Social workers negotiate, mediate, and advocate for clients. Social workers facilitate transitions and endings. Evaluation Faith and Practice Social workers critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate interventions. Social workers integrate faith and practice through a process of ethical reasoning. Social workers respect spiritual diversity. Social workers assess client strengths and needs using a bio-psycho-social-spiritual model. 32

33 V. NACSW STATEMENT OF FAITH AND PRACTICE NACSW is a membership association that seeks to equip its members to integrate Christian faith and professional social work practice. To this end, NACSW established a set of values, principles, and standards to guide the conduct of social workers seeking to professionally integrate the Christian faith into their social work practice. The NACSW Statement of Faith and Practice guides the practice of faculty, staff and students of Liberty University s Department of Social Work. 33

34 VI. NASW CODE OF ETHICS The NASW Code of Ethics is another key set of values, principles, and standards that guide the conduct of faculty, staff and students at Liberty University s Department of Social Work. The Code is relevant to all social workers and social work students, regardless of their professional functions, the settings in which they work, or the populations they serve. A copy of the Code of Ethics is in the student handbook As described on the NASW website, the NASW Code of Ethics serves six purposes: 1. The Code identifies core values on which social work s mission is based. 2. The Code summarizes broad ethical principles that reflect the profession s core values and establishes a set of specific ethical standards that should be used to guide social work practice. 3. The Code is designed to help social workers identify relevant considerations when professional obligations conflict or ethical uncertainties arise. 4. The Code provides ethical standards to which the general public can hold the social work profession accountable. 5. The Code socializes practitioners new to the field to social work s mission, values, ethical principles, and ethical standards. 6. The Code articulates standards that the social work profession itself can use to assess whether social workers have engaged in unethical conduct. NASW has formal procedures to adjudicate ethics complaints filed against its members. In subscribing to this Code, social workers are required to cooperate in its implementation, participate in NASW adjudication proceedings, and abide by any NASW disciplinary rulings or sanctions based on it. 34

35 VII. CSWE EDUCATION POLICY AND ACCREDITATION STANDARDS The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) uses the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) to accredit baccalaureate- and master s-level social work programs. As described on their website, CSWE supports academic excellence by establishing thresholds for professional competence. It permits programs to use traditional and emerging models of curriculum design by balancing requirements that promote comparability across programs with a level of flexibility that encourages programs to differentiate. The Liberty University Department of Social Work is committed to adhering to the EPAS standards and is currently engaged in seeking accreditation for its new BSSW program. 35

36 VIII. MUTUAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBLITIES Field education requires the ongoing cooperation and involvement of various professionals to provide residential and online students a comprehensive and quality learning experience in the social work field. The various roles and responsibilities of each key player are described below. A. Liberty University Liberty University is responsible for the following: Continuing the process towards securing accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education for its new Social Work Department. Employing leadership staff that have graduate degrees in social work to oversee the administration of the Department of Social Work and Field Education. Employing faculty who have graduate degrees in social work and the practice experience essential for facilitating learning of social work theory, skills, and values. Overseeing faculty and staff adherence to the NASW and NACSW Codes of Ethics and CSWE Education and Policy Accreditation Standards. Providing liability insurance coverage of a minimum of $1 million per occurrence and $3 million aggregate for residential students. Offering, through the Office of Risk Management, a $10,000 accident insurance policy benefit to all residential students attending the Lynchburg, VA campus. This benefit, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy, provides coverage for an accidental injury sustained by the residential student when there is no coverage or when the student has co-payments or deductibles remaining after having filed with their primary insurer. The 36

37 University does not provide health insurance coverage to students. B. Director of Field Education/Field Seminar Professor The Director of Field Education also serves as the Field Seminar Professor. The roles and responsibilities of this individual include the following: Development, oversight, and continuity of the field education programs and policies. Develop relationships with community agencies and enlist their support in serving as potential field placements. Confirm eligibility of agencies to serve as field placements. Confirm eligibility of individual professionals to serve as Field Instructors for social work students. Execute agreements between the agencies and the university as needed. Coordinate, monitor, and evaluate the student s field experience to insure optimal learning and professional development through site visits, conference calls, and review of student self-evaluations and Field Instructor evaluations of the student. Conduct an observation of residential students in their field placement setting and participate in debriefing sessions with the students. Provide guidance to agency staff as they conduct student observation and debriefing sessions for online students in their field placement setting or residential students in international field placement settings. Monitor the performance of Field Instructors and their agencies for quality assurance and field program improvement purposes. Provide consultation and assistance to the student and Field Instructor as necessary. 37

38 Serve as the initial contact for concerns from students, Field Instructors or any other agency personnel. Teach a weekly field seminar course for junior and senior students engaged in field experience. Lead a field education orientation meeting for students and Field Instructors as well as workshops on field-related topics. Disseminate field-related literature and materials to students and Field Instructors to facilitate continued education. Keep records of the students time spent in field through the receipt of weekly timesheets. C. Students Students roles and responsibilities include the following: Develop a professional resume with support from the Career Center and submit the resume along with the feedback from the Career Center to the Department. Complete all required field education enrollment forms and provide additional documentation (e.g. resume, proof of professional liability insurance, car insurance, background check, etc.) by the due dates set by the Department of Social Work. Submit the Student s Agency Interview Choice Form that identifies the student s preferred agencies for field experience. (See field website.) After receiving approval from the Director of Field Education, contact at least three (3) agencies to arrange pre-placement interviews and be prepared with questions that to facilitate gathering information during the interviews. 38

39 After all interviews are complete, rank the top three agency choices and submit the Student s Final Choice Form (See field website). Send denial letters to the agencies not chosen and an acceptance letter to the agency where the student will complete their field experience and submit copies of the letters to the Department. Complete agency requirements (e.g. drug test, agency specific paperwork, etc.) by the due dates set by the agency assigned for field experience. Complete an Affiliation Agreement with support from the Field Instructor and submit final version with necessary signatures to the Department. Develop an academic schedule during their junior and senior years that allows for their field experience to be scheduled in halfday/full- day segments. Perform in a responsible professional manner, keeping commitments to the agency, the Field Instructor, the clients, and the Department of Social Work. Dress in professional attire on field days. Be on time for field work, agency meetings, and client appointments. Use professional oral communication (this includes correct verb usage and the avoidance of inappropriate language including informal language or slang). 39

40 Develop a learning contract with support from the Field Instructor and Director of Field Education and secure appropriate signatures on the contract forms. Schedule and participate in a learning contract meeting with the Field Instructor and Director of Field Education. Seek advice and consultation or help as necessary from their Field Instructor or the Director of Field Education. Schedule an observation visit with the Director of Field Education at the agency as well as participate in a debriefing session following the visit. Report unethical or illegal practices within the agency to the Director of Field Education as soon as possible. Provide as much advance notice a possible to the agency Field Instructor about absences and tardiness, as is expected in professional employment. Complete work assigned by the Field Instructor in the agency and the accountability documents required by the Department of Social Work within specified deadlines, such as the Weekly Field Experience Time Sheet. Participate in weekly supervision meetings with the Field Instructor. Prepare an agenda for regular supervisory meetings with Field Instructor using the Field Experience Supervisory Agenda form and submit this form to the Department weekly. Complete and submit weekly journal logs to Field Seminar Professor. 40