ENQ: MARLIZE HOBBS-RUSSELL TEL: 012 352 4216

hobbrm@unisa.ac.za TO: PARTNERS-FOR-POSSIBILITY

SCHOOL PRINCIPALS

14 FEBRUARY 2017

CONFIRMATION OF PRACTICUM PLACEMENT: UNISA FOURTH LEVEL STUDENT

Unisa Department of Social Work and the Department of Education have developed a strong relationship

regarding social work student placement in schools where there is a need for social services. The Social

Work department also held meetings with Mrs Cramer from Partners for Possibilities in terms of placing

social work students in schools to attend to certain social issues that learners are experiencing.

The Unisa regional placement official, Ms Sokhela, places the student(s) in the schools and Unisa appoints

a contact person (go-between) for the schools. We have two such persons, Dr Chikanda and Mrs Annah

Masilela. They will get in contact with the schools and discuss how the students’ placement will be

conducted. Unisa also appoints an independent contractor to supervise the students to ensure that they

adhere to all university and legislative requirements.

All our students are registered as student social workers with the council, they have completed Form 30 in

terms of the Child Protection Register and also signed indemnity forms.

The school principal is the entry point into the school and usually it is the Life Orientation Teacher who

knows which learners need social work intervention. The Unisa contact person and the school’s Life

Orientation teacher will meet to discuss referral of cases to students. The responsibility for student

assessment and performance are that of Unisa, Dept of Social Work.

Below are the expectations that we have of students in school placements.

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS at the SCHOOL 4th year students:

Block Placement (1 full week – 40 hours)

Minimum of 1 full day per week = 8 hours per week. If the student takes more than ONE MODULE; IT IS ONE DAY PER PRACTICUM MODULE.

PRACTICAL WORK:

Casework (20 interviews)

Group work (8 – 10 sessions)

Community work (initiating and implementing a sustainable project in the

community (80 hours)

MAKING UP FOR TIME THAT SHOULD BE SPENT AT ORGANISATION / SCHOOL: SCHOOLS have holiday periods and learners are usually in class during the mornings, students must therefore make up for the possible loss of notional hours that must

be spent at the organisation.

1) ORIENTATION and TRAINING WORKSHOP on School’s Act and policies regulating school social work

2) HOLIDAY PROGRAMME: Students should implement a holiday programme for learners of the school during holidays to ensure that they still engage with students / client system and do not miss out on notional hours which are required for social work students

3) HOME VISIT: Students should include home visits and socio-economic investigations and reports in their case work practicum, especially where parents / guardians are unemployed and available during school hours

4) WARD COUNCILLORS: Students should speak to the “gate keepers” of the community and introduce themselves to the various political Ward Councillors to ensure positive entry into the community

5) TRIBAL / LOCAL AUTHORITY: Students should introduce themselves to the local authorities such as mayor’s office, ward’s councillor, municipality and avail themselves to assist in community work and/or other projects of the local authorities.

The practicum experience is a requirement for all social work students and they will not qualify unless

they have conducted the practicum.

BLOCK PLACEMENT is compulsory and takes place from 13 – 17 February 2017.

We would like to thank you for giving our student this opportunity.

Schedule as follows:

SOCIAL WORK STUDENT

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS FROM UNISA:

• Attend theoretical workshops during the year

• Attend weekly group supervision sessions (arranged and facilitated by UNISA)

• Complete their practical work at an agreed organisation, with a social worker as contact person

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS AT ORGANISATION:

• Block Placement (1 full week – 40 hours)

• 13 – 17 February 2017

• Minimum of 1 full day per week = 8 hours per day. (for one Module)

February – September 2017

PRACTICAL WORK:

• Casework (20 interviews)

• Group work (8 – 10 sessions)

• Community work (initiating and

implementing a sustainable project in the

community (80 hours)

The workshop dates are as follows:

MODULE DATE SCK 4802 21 – 22 February

8-9 March 28 March Late reg 2-3 May

SCK 4804 23 – 24 February 16 – 17 March 29 March Late reg 4 – 5 May

SCK 4806 30 – 31 March 6 -7 April 21 April Late reg 18 – 19 May

Your assistance is highly appreciated,

Kind regards,

National Practicum Coordinator: Social Work

Chair: Department of Social Work

School of Social Sciences

College of Human Sciences

University of South Africa

PO Box 392, Unisa, 0003

Pretoria/Tshwane

South Africa