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Roles in Field Education #

The successful completion of practicum course work relies upon the collaboration between the Indiana University School of Social Work, its MSW Programs, various field sites, and practicum students. Each participant has clearly defined roles and responsibilities that accomplish the educational process. The behaviors of students, Field Instructors, and faculty must reflect commitment to professional practice standards. Responsibility to clients must remain primary in all efforts to achieve educational goals and objectives. Consistent with this principle, students, faculty, Field Instructors, Task Instructors, and Faculty Field Liaisons are expected to abide by the (2021) National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.

Glossary of Titles #

Program Director
The Program Director provides leadership to all aspects of the MSW program operations, on their respective campus.

Director of Field Education
The Director of Field Education serves as the statewide coordinator responsible for oversight of all field functions and aspects of field instruction.

Field Administrator, MSW Program – IUPUI Campus
The Field Administrator of the MSW Program, located on the IUPUI campus, oversees the field component at the graduate level. The Field Administrator is also responsible for planning field events, problem-solving, and ongoing communication with students, sites, and faculty.

Field Coordinator
Field Coordinators provide administrative support for all aspects of field education within their specific program and/or assigned curriculum. Field Coordinators have primary responsibility for recruiting and assessing field placement agencies and Field Instructors, engaging students in the field planning process and assigning students to specific field placements. Field Coordinators often act as consultants to Faculty Field Liaisons, Field Instructors, agency directors, and students in resolving field practicum difficulties.

Agency-Based Field Instructor
The agency-based Field Instructor provides field instruction and practice supervision to the practicum student at their placement site. The Field Instructor also evaluates the student’s performance and level of competency.

External Field Instructor
An External Field Instructor provides educational supervision to the practicum student when there is not an agency-based Field Instructor available. This position carries the same responsibilities as an agency-based Field Instructor and consults regularly with the Task Instructor.

Task Instructor
In some placement sites, there is a Task Instructor. This person may be one of the following:

  • Day to day supervisor for the student when there is an external Field Instructor.
  • Staff member assisting the Field Instructor by supervising students day-to-day service delivery.

Faculty Field Liaison
The Faculty Field Liaison provides consultation to Field Instructors and students to ensure integration between classroom and field. The Faculty Field Liaison is in a strategic position to enhance communication regarding curriculum matters, field learning opportunities, new developments and demands of practice, and new projects undertaken by the School of Social Work. The Faculty Field Liaison is the professor for the seminars, conducts the site visits with the student and site representatives, and determines the student’s final grade.

Responsibilities of the School of Social Work #

Responsibilities of the MSW Program
Consistent with the mission and vision of the MSW Program, the MSW Curriculum Committee is responsible for providing the conceptualization and implementation of the MSW curriculum implemented on all campuses. As it relates to field instruction, the respective MSW Program Directors provide educational leadership and oversee the quality of implementation of the field practicum curriculum on all campuses.

The MSW Program assumes the following responsibilities to ensure quality field experiences for students:

  1. Recommends and assigns students for placement and provides relevant information regarding students to field sites.
  2. Implements field assessment methods.
  3. Provides orientation meetings for both students and Field Instructors and Task Instructors to review curriculum and practicum expectations.
  4. Disseminates information, evaluation forms, and other relevant materials for the practicum experience to both participating students and agency personnel involved in field education.
  5. Provides social work professional liability insurance coverage to all qualified students registered in a practicum course.
  6. Assigns a Faculty Field Liaison who communicates with the site through site contacts and monitors and approves the Learning Plan, Midpoint Evaluation and Final Evaluation, maintain a productive working relationship with the student and Field Instructor, and evaluates the student’s performance, learning opportunities, and quality of field instruction.
  7. Determines whether a student is demonstrating the designated competencies and behaviors through the assessments of the Faculty Field Liaison and Field Instructor.
  8. Assures that it will not discriminate against any individual including, but not limited to, employees or applicants for employment and/or students, because of race, religion, ethnic, or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or veteran status.

Multiple roles are involved in the personnel of the MSW Program to fulfill the above responsibilities. These include the MSW Program Director, the IUSSW Director of Field Education, the Field Administrator, the Field Coordinator, and the Faculty Field Liaison.

MSW Program Director #

There is a designated MSW Program Director on each of the IU campuses, which offer the MSW program. Responsibilities for this position, as they relate to the field curriculum, are to:

  1. Collaborate with the Field Coordinator(s) to assure the overall quality of the field education program. Overall quality includes meeting accreditation standards and adherence to all relevant IUSSW policies and procedures.
  2. Collaborate with the Director of Field Education and other program directors to address common field related issues and make recommendations.
  3. Collaborate with the Director of Field Education and other program directors to support the organization, planning, and implementation of field policies, procedures, standards, and protocols.
  4. Collaborate with the Director of Field Education and other program directors to support the Educational Assessment in developing and implementing assessment mechanisms to evaluate the outcomes of field instruction.
  5. Support and provide assistance, as needed, to field Coordinator(s) in carrying out delegated responsibilities and securing necessary resources on respective campuses.
  6. Provide consultation as needed to Field Coordinator(s).
  7. Provide consultation as needed to the Field Administrator.
  8. Facilitate communication and working relations among the Field Coordinators on respective campuses.
  9. Link appropriate faculty to service requests from sites (such as seminars, in-service education, research, or program evaluation).

Director of Field Education #

The responsibilities of the Director of Field Education include but are not limited to:

  1. Provide leadership to assure the overall quality of the field program. Overall quality includes meeting accreditation standards and adherence to all relevant IUSSW policies and procedures.
  2. Review, approve, and assure currency of Affiliation Agreements from all agencies within which IUSSW students are placed for practicum at the BSW and MSW levels.
  3. Maintain contact with legal and other relevant authorities of Indiana University to assure currency of language in Affiliation Agreements.
  4. Manage the processes for professional liability insurance in Field Education for students and faculty.
  5. Serve as Chair of System-wide Field meeting.
  6. Serve on relevant school and University committees and participate in relevant professional organizations’ work.
  7. Advocate for the role of field education at IUSSW.
  8. Collaborate with the program directors to support the Educational Assessment in developing and implementing assessment mechanisms, to evaluate the outcomes of field instruction.
  9. In collaboration with Field Coordinators, establish processes and procedures to document the adequacy of a field site before an Affiliation Agreement is finalized.
  10. In collaboration with Field Coordinators, design, implement, and maintain a Field Instructor training curriculum for use statewide.
  11. In collaboration with Field Coordinators, establish processes and procedures, to determine student readiness for field.
  12. In collaboration with Field Coordinators, establish processes and procedures for the placement of students.
  13. In collaboration with Field Coordinators, develop, revise, and maintain field manuals.

Field Administrator, MSW Program on IUPUI Campus #

The responsibilities of the Field Administrator are to:

  1. Train Field Coordinators, Field Liaisons, and administrative staff.
  2. Advocate to staff, faculty, and administration on behalf of field as the signature pedagogy of social work education.
  3. Advance the quality of the field practicum program at the graduate level, in accordance with Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) standards.
  4. Schedule, plan, and facilitate IUPUI-based field meetings and events.
  5. Assign all Faculty Field Liaisons for both the 555 and 651/652 practicums and oversees the practicum registration process.
  6. Coordinate practicum registration and associated communication with the Registrar at each academic term.
  7. Assist in the hiring of External Field Liaisons and Field Instructors.
  8. Plan and implement student field informational meetings and student/Field Instructor orientation meetings.
  9. Plan and carry out Faculty Field Liaison orientation and training.
  10. Problem solve with field team at various levels.
  11. Ongoing communication with students, sites, and faculty.

Field Coordinator #

Each campus has a designated Field Coordinator(s). The responsibilities of the Field Coordinator(s) are to:

  1. Recruit, assess, and recommend field practicum sites and Field Instructors/Task Instructors.
  2. Plan and implement Field Instructor trainings, using the adopted School curriculum for such trainings, collaborating as necessary with directors and Field Coordinators around the state.
  3. Provide information to students regarding field placement opportunities consistent with core coursework.
  4. Engage students in the field planning process and place students in specific field sites.
  5. Plan and implement orientation sessions for students entering into the field.
  6. Provide relevant student information, via written and verbal communication, to liaisons and Field Instructors prior to the beginning of the practicum.
  7. Review and approve student employment-based petitions.
  8. Review student petitions relating to placement exceptions (e.g., duplication of Field Instructor/field instruction agency) and make recommendations for exceptions to the respective MSW Program Director.
  9. When necessary and appropriate, assist Faculty Field Liaisons, Field Instructors, and students in preventing and resolving field related difficulties.
  10. Coordinate field activities with student services activities on their respective campuses or statewide, if necessary (for example, orientations and special events).
  11. Collaborate with the MSW Curriculum Committee, Program Director, Director of Field Education, and the Associate Dean of IUSSW in the development and implementation of field instruction, evaluation instruments, and in the compilation of evaluative reports.
  12. Contribute to ongoing review and update of field instruction manuals, forms, website, and other relevant informational media.
  13. Perform related assignments as deemed necessary by the Dean or Associate Dean of the IUSSW, for reaffirmation of accreditation of the school’s programs and to ensure that, the quality of field instruction meets the standards, of the Council on Social Work Education.
  14. Maintain, in collaboration with field support staff, student field files, databases, and records of communication.

Faculty Field Liaison #

The Faculty Field Liaison is a faculty role designed to facilitate integration between the academic and field curriculum.

The responsibilities of the Faculty Field Liaison are to:

  1. Provide consultation to Field Instructors about the MSW curriculum and the educational planning for assessment of student mastery of core competencies.
  2. Arrange planned contacts during the semester with Field Instructors and students, at least one of which is a visit to the agency, to discuss students’ progress and assess learning opportunities. Additional conferences are scheduled as needed.
  3. Respond promptly to Field Instructors and students to problem-solve and implement changes in student field practice and field teaching when appropriate.
  4. Provide feedback regarding progress in student learning and practice competence through discussion with the student and the Field Instructor.
  5. Provide consultation to Field Instructors concerning student performance in the field practicum, as needed.
  6. Review and approve the student’s Learning Plans, ensuring that learning activities and tasks provide the student opportunities to demonstrate core competencies and behaviors.
  7. Review and approve the students’ Midpoint Evaluations ensuring they are on track for successful demonstration of all CSWE competencies.
  8. Review and approve student’s Final Evaluations, ensuring that they are successfully demonstrating competency in all nine areas.
  9. Serve as the instructor for the practicum seminar.
  10. Record final grades for 555.
  11. Assess the quality and effectiveness of field instruction in the practicum site.
  12. Communicate with the MSW Field Coordinator, Field Administrator, and MSW Program Director about developments, progress and challenges in field instruction experienced by instructors and students.

Responsibilities of the Field Site #

Criteria for Site Selection
Field education at the master’s level is a collaborative endeavor between the MSW program and community agencies in the education of students for generalist and advanced social work practice. Through appropriate learning experiences in the site, students have the opportunity to apply knowledge as well as acquire professional skills useful in working with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. At the same time, students contribute to the delivery of services and share their classroom learning with the staff.
Given the importance placed upon practicum course work, the MSW program sets the following criteria, for agency participation:

Commitment by Site to Professional Practice #

  • A site used for Field Education should maintain social welfare service as a recognized function of the site or have planning, coordinating, and/or advocacy activities relevant to providing or improving human services.
  • The site should have identification with the purpose, program, and professional standards of appropriate accrediting bodies where such bodies exist.
  • Site philosophy and practice should be congruent with social work competencies and afford the student a positive learning experience. The board of directors and the site’s executive officer must be in full accord with the use of the site for education of students from the MSW Program.
  • Site policies and practices should stimulate the professional growth of its workers and encourage staff membership and participation in appropriate professional organizations.

Released Time of Staff Member for Field Instruction #

The site should support the Field Instructor by adjusting the workload in order to supervise and teach students approve and prepare forms and reports for the MSW Program on students’ progress, attend periodic field meetings, and confer, as needed, with the appropriate MSW Program faculty and staff.

Nature of Field Assignments #

  • The site should be able to provide a range of learning experiences consistent with the service functions of the site, the students’ learning needs, and the demonstration of the CSWE core competencies.
  • Site-based learning experiences should include opportunities for students to work with diverse populations and more than one client system size (individual, families, groups, community, and/or the organization).
  • Practicum sites should include opportunities to integrate and consolidate learning from all areas of the curriculum and to develop relevant skills for master’s level practice. If a site is not able to provide full practice experiences, the student will be required to have these experiences in other ways with the assistance and direction of the Field Instructor.
  • IUSSW does not offer simulations to supplement the field experience. All of a student’s hours in field are within an assigned field site working with or on behalf of the site’s client system.

Nondiscrimination #

Agency assures that it will not discriminate against any individual including, but not limited to, employees or applicants for employment and/or students, because of race, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or veteran status.

Physical Facilities #

Sites are encouraged to provide the student with adequate physical facilities (desk, chair, telephone, private interviewing space, etc.) and sufficient technology to accomplish assigned tasks. For example, if a student were expected to electronically document in a medical record, then a student would need computer access.

Student Expenses #

The agency is encouraged to reimburse students for expenses incurred while providing service to agency clients. For example, mileage and travel reimbursement, as appropriate.

Field Instructor Information #

Criteria for Selecting Agency-Based Field Instructors
While the selection of the Field Instructor involves collaboration between the site and the MSW Program, the final appointment remains with the MSW Program. In addition, the MSW Field Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the work of Field Instructors to determine ongoing compliance with the field education policies.
The following criteria have been established to ensure appropriate Field Instructor selection:

  1. The individual appointed as Field Instructor must have an MSW from a CSWE-accredited social work program and a minimum of two years post-MSW social work experience. The assigned Field Instructor is responsible for providing a generalist social work practicum experience and for assisting the Task Instructor with field teaching when appropriate. The individual should have knowledge of and conviction about the School’s mission and the MSW Program mission, goals and objectives, and a commitment to the education of graduate students and practice with at-risk populations.
  2. The individual must be ready to assume a teaching role, which includes the ability to
    1. link theory to practice,
    2. develop and structure learning experiences which take into account individual student learning needs and patterns,
    3. assist students in expanding their knowledge beyond the scope of the practicum setting,
    4. aid students in the reflection processes of professional supervision,
    5. provide feedback and suggestions to enhance students’ learning, and
    6. evaluate and document their students’ performance.
  3. The individual should have the ability to objectively handle disagreement and conflict that may arise between the site and the student(s).
  4. The Field Instructor should be willing to devote sufficient time to carry out the responsibilities of field instruction and to work closely with the MSW Program. This includes weekly supervision with students, review, preparation, and approval of assessments and evaluations for the MSW Program on students’ progress, and attendance at periodic MSW Program meetings with other Field Instructors and faculty.

Responsibilities of the Field Instructor #

The responsibilities of the Field Instructor are to:

  1. Provide a professional model of generalist social work practice within the site that is consistent with the NASW (2021) Code of Ethics.
  2. Individualize student learning tasks and activities based on student learning needs, CSWE social work competencies, and the mission of the practicum site.
  3. Provide guidance and assistance to students in completing the Learning Plan.
  4. Orient students to site policies and procedures as they relate to work management including dress code, attendance, record keeping, intake and referral, transfer, and termination of clients.
  5. Facilitate student understanding and adherence to responsible and ethical conduct at the practicum.
  6. Actively assist the students in understanding site’s general liability, risk management, health, and safety policies.
  7. Provide educational supervision. It is expected that the Field Instructor meet with the student for a minimum of one hour per week to review work performed, assist the student in conceptualizing the issues inherent in learning experiences, articulate thoughts and reactions, and facilitate the integration of coursework and field learning experiences.
  8. Provide feedback on student assignments and other written products produced for the practicum.
  9. Inform the Faculty Field Liaison immediately in the event concerns arise in the student’s performance and provide the appropriate documentation.
  10. Attend and participate in the field orientation and in periodic training with other Field Instructors organized by the MSW Program.
  11. Confer periodically with the Faculty Field Liaison.
  12. Assess students’ progress in achieving competency by completion of evaluative methods provided by the MSW Program.

Responsibilities of the External Field Instructor #

In cases when there is no Field Instructor available at an agency, the MSW Program will identify an External Field Instructor to provide supervision.
The responsibilities of the External Field Instructor are to:

  1. Provide a professional model of generalist social work practice within the agency that is consistent with the NASW (2021) Code of Ethics.
  2. Confer regularly with the Task Instructor regarding the students learning in the agency.
  3. Individualize student learning tasks and activities based on student learning needs, CSWE social work competencies, and the mission of the practicum agency.
  4. Provide guidance and assistance to students in completing the Learning Plan.
  5. Facilitate student understanding and adherence to responsible and ethical conduct at the practicum site.
  6. Provide educational supervision. It is expected that the Field Instructor will meet with the student for a minimum of one hour per week to review work performed, assist the student in conceptualizing the issues inherent in learning experiences, articulate thoughts, and reactions, and facilitate the integration of coursework and field learning experiences.
  7. Provide feedback on student Process Recordings and other written products produced for the practicum.
  8. Inform the Faculty Field Liaison immediately in the event concerns arise in the student’s performance and provide the appropriate documentation.
  9. Attend and participate in the field orientation and in periodic trainings with other Field Instructors, organized by the MSW program.
  10. Confer periodically with the Faculty Field Liaison.
  11. Assess student’s progress in achieving competency by completion of evaluative methods provided by the MSW Program.

Responsibilities of the Task Instructor #

The individual appointed as the Task Instructor may have a degree other than social work but has sufficient experience as a human services provider. To ensure the student’s learning experiences are rooted in the social work perspective, a Field Instructor is assigned.

  1. Facilitate a professional model of practice within the agency that is consistent with the NASW (2021) Code of Ethics.
  2. Help the student understand and adhere to responsible and ethical conduct in the practicum.
  3. Actively assist the student in understanding agency’s general liability, risk management, health, and safety policies.
  4. Orient student to the agency policies and procedures as they relate to work management including dress code, attendance at meetings, record keeping, intake and referral, transfer, and termination of clients.
  5. Attend and participate in the field orientations and in periodic trainings organized by the MSW program.
  6. Collaborate with the Field Instructor on the development of learning activities and the evaluation of the student.
  7. Inform the Field Instructor immediately in the event concerns arise in the student’s performance and provide the appropriate documentation.

Responsibilities of the Students #

As a vital component of the field practicum process, students are expected to:

  1. Adhere to the standards and practices established by the MSW Program for the practicum course including adherence to the Code of Ethics (2021) of the National Association of Social Workers.
  2. Demonstrate professional behavior in their practice, classroom, and other settings.
  3. Follow the administrative policies, standards, and practices of the site.
  4. Comply with the Patient Confidentiality and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Students shall follow all policies and procedures of the agency, including those governing the use and disclosure of individually identifiable health information under federal law, specifically 45 CFR parts 160 and 164. Solely for the purpose of defining the students’ role in relation to the use and disclosure of agency’s protected health information, such students are defined as members of the Agency’s workforce, as that term is defined by 45 CFR 160.103, when engaged in activities pursuant to the practicum.
    However, such students are not and shall not be considered employees of the Agency. In addition, a student’s breach of Agency’s policies concerning confidentiality shall be grounds for student discipline by IUSSW, including dismissal from the program and/or removal from the agency. Make myself available Monday-Friday during the daytime hours to complete practicum requirements.
  5. Complete practicum hours over the course of the entire academic term. Be present at the site throughout the entire practicum. Schedule of hours at the agency should maximize practicum-learning experiences. With permission from the Faculty Field Liaison in collaboration with the MSW Field Coordinator, a student’s practicum may be extended for compelling reasons.
  6. Notify the Field Instructor when ill or faced with a personal emergency and develop a plan to make up the time and/or missed assignments. Studying for a test or working on papers is not considered an emergency to be absent from the practicum.
  7. Demonstrate a readiness to learn and become involved in all appropriate aspects of the field experience to complete course objectives.
  8. Engage in on-going self-evaluation by identifying specific strengths and learning needs, and completing the Learning Plan, Supervision Records, Midpoint Evaluation and Final Evaluation.
  9. Assume an active role in the learning process including preparation for and openness to field supervision and conferences with the Faculty Field Liaison and Field Instructor.
  10. Complete all documentation in keeping with agency and field practicum expectations.
  11. Discuss field placement concerns such as those related to the assigned Field Instructor and site with the Faculty Field Liaison or MSW Field Coordinator. Should the student be dissatisfied with the outcome, the student may discuss the situation further with the respective campus MSW Program Director.
  12. Provide written evaluation of the Site to both Site and the University upon request.
  13. Provide health records upon request by the site. Typical requests include proof of immunization tests, including COVID-19, MMR, PPD and Hepatitis B and/or Hepatitis declination form.
  14. Provide documentation to the site of personal health insurance in effect during the term of assignment, if required by the site.
  15. Provide documentation of appropriate liability insurance as provided by the University or personally secured to the site.
  16. Obtain, if required by the site, a criminal background check that meets their requirements and provide a copy of the results of the background check to the site.
  17. Students will adhere to the NASW (2021) Code of Ethics and will work with agency personnel to ensure continuity of service during their traditional academic breaks.

Student Professional Expectations in Field Education #

Social Work Practicum Code of Conduct #

Students are expected to adhere to the standards and ethics of the (2010) National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics and the standards of the Council on Social Work Education. Prior to beginning practicum courses, students are expected to review the entire NASW (2010) Code of Ethics in preparation for ethical practice and review/submit the IUSSW MSW Social Work Practicum Code of Conduct statement indicating their understanding of and commitment to adhering to the Code. Ethical violations during practicum can result in discontinuation of practicum placement and/or failure of the course. In addition, ethical violations can result in possible legal/civil actions apart from university consequences.

Guidelines on Confidentiality #

When students begin their field placements or are involved in any other activities in which they have direct client contact, they must accept the responsibilities of a practicing professional. This professional practice includes adherence to the principles of confidentiality. The following statements are designed to protect client anonymity, and to assist students in knowing how to handle privileged information responsibly.
Students should review the NASW Code of Ethics section on Confidentiality and Privacy (II.H.1-5).

  1. Students must become familiar with and follow confidentiality policies of the sites in which they are placed or in which they have client contact.
  2. No identifying information regarding specific clients, their families and/or other significant persons is to be revealed outside of the agency. Within coursework, students will use pseudonyms or third person references in all oral presentations and written assignments (process recordings, supervision records, case studies, etc.). No client information or situations should be shared, in any courses outside the School of Social Work.
  3. Identifying information includes names, addresses, telephone numbers, and any background information, by which clients might be identified.
  4. For community or professional presentation or for written material distributed outside of a class, students must alter case information to eliminate identifying information.
  5. Students are responsible for the protection of any professional information or records they might have in their possession.
  6. Students should not remove records containing privileged information from their placement site.
  7. When in doubt about the integrity of any confidentiality issue or practice, students should feel free to seek consultation and advice from Field Facilitators, Field Instructors, Faculty Field Liaisons, and other social work faculty.

Adapted from Ursuline College, Ohio Social Work Department

Dual Relationships #

IUSSW adheres to pertinent standards in the NASW Code of Ethics concerning dual relationships and conflicts of interest. In addition, in field instruction, dual relationships may occur when a Field Coordinator, Field Instructor, or Faculty Field Liaison maintains a relationship with a student(s) in more than one area, whether it is professional, in the classroom, or social. Dual or multiple relationships can occur consecutively. For example, a previous social work course instructor may now be the Field Instructor for a student in the site where he or she works full time. In such a case, the student and the Field Instructor need to discuss the relationship and clarify boundaries as per Standard 3.02(d) below.

According to the NASW Code of Ethics:

  • Standard 1.06(a) Social Workers should be alert to and avoid conflicts of interest that interfere with the exercise of professional discretion and impartial judgment.
  • Standard 1.06(c) Social Workers should not engage in dual or multiple relationships with clients or former clients in which there is a risk of exploitation or potential harm to the clients.
  • Standard 3.02(d) Social Workers who function as educators or field educators for students should not engage in any dual or multiple relationships with students in which there is risk of exploitation or potential harm to the student. Social Work educators and Field Instructors are responsible for setting clear, appropriate, and culturally sensitive boundaries. NASW Code of Ethics (2010).

If in any aspect of field education, the potential of a dual relationship exists, the student or Field Instructor should notify the Faculty Field Liaison, Field Coordinator, or the MSW Field Director.