Faculty of Social Work
Pre-MSW Placement
Learning Outcomes – Activities and Tasks
SWRK 6050
SWRK 6050 Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes refer to what a student is expected to possess and demonstrate
during his or her course instruction. Specific learning objectives are identified in the
field evaluation completed at each term. In order to provide specific measurement
outcomes, the following series of tasks have been identified to guide and assess
students in their demonstrated learning. These tasks also serve to support the
development of essential skills and attributes required for the study of social work in
areas of professional values, effectiveness within agency and community,
comprehension and integration of theoretical knowledge, use of supervision, selfawareness, written skills, diversity, communication and engagement skills, assessment,
planning, intervention, closure and evaluation. As a result of participating in Pre-MSW
field placement, SWRK 6050, a student will be able to respond to the following, in
formal supervision with field instructor or in reflective journals:
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Professional Values
Identify and summarize the six core social work values underlying
the CASW Code of Ethics. Describe how these guide your practice.
Summarize the confidentiality guidelines of your field placement
agency or program. Describe how you have complied with these
guidelines.
If you were meeting a client for the first time, how would you
describe the services and supports offered at your agency?
Describe three examples of how you have demonstrated
professional and respectful behaviour in your field placement,
with clients, co-workers and collaterals.
Identify three ways in which you have demonstrated a willingness
and interest to ongoing professional development.
Describe the difference in roles and activities between social
workers in your field agency and other helping professionals.
Explain the meaning of the right to self-determination in social
work practice. Can you identify situations in which the right to
self-determination should be limited?
Describe a practice situation which has presented some ethical
challenges, including how you resolved this dilemma.
The role of social worker carries with it significant responsibility
including authority to carry out certain duties. Explain to what
extent you are expected to assume this role in your current
placement. What have you learned from your instructor and
others regarding their approach to taking on this role in a
responsible or respectful manner?
Identify the organizational skills, and any relevant tools, you use to
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plan and carry out field placement responsibilities.
11. Provide three examples of how you have taken responsibility and
initiative for your own learning in placement.
Effectiveness within Agency and Community
1. Identify and describe the purpose and mandate of your placement
agency.
2. Based on your experience in field placement to date, how would
you describe the key concerns and needs of the client group being
served?
3. Describe how policy influences practice in your field placement.
4. Identify the strengths and limitations of service delivery within
your current setting.
5. Describe the lines of authority within your specific field agency.
Identify who you are accountable to in this setting.
6. Describe the approach you have taken to establish effective
working relationships with clients, instructor and co-workers.
7. Describe the relationship between your agency and the community
at-large. From your perspective, how is the agency viewed by
others (e.g., clients, citizens, or other service providers.)
8. Identify 5-6 community resources of relevance to the clients being
served by your agency.
9. Provide 1-2 examples in which you have referred clients to other
needed resources within the community.
10. Describe a situation in your field setting in which a conflict
developed. Identify what steps you took to facilitate resolution in
this situation.
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Comprehension and Integration of Theoretical Knowledge
Identify and describe the literature you have reviewed in your
placement to assist you in becoming more effective in your student
role.
Describe a specific example of how theory has guided your practice
in placement.
Explain the meaning and importance of professional boundaries in
practice.
Assess and identify your professional strengths and areas in need
of improvement.
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5. Describe why it is important to understand and apply a range of
knowledge and theory in practice. Identify the contributions of
systemic theory in your understanding of others.
6. Identify the steps you have taken to further your understanding of
a client from a diverse background or culture.
7. Identify a practice situation in which you were able to transfer
knowledge from one situation to another.
8. Describe a research item or policy proposal that you have drafted
or, if given the opportunity, would be interested in developing.
9. Describe how you have used a particular theory as a rationale for
intervention?
Student’s Use of Supervision
1. Why is it important to identify and define learning goals in field
and in social work practice?
2. Identify the steps you take to prepare for supervision meetings.
3. Provide an example within your field setting of how you have
sought and used supervision?
4. Describe a situation in which your instructor has provided you with
constructive/critical feedback. How have you used this feedback in
practice?
5. Identify a situation when your perception was different from
another professional’s perception (e.g., co-worker, instructor).
How did you address this difference?
6. Describe a situation in field in which you made an error and the
follow-up steps you took to deal with this situation?
7. Identify a situation in which you actively sought the feedback of
your instructor and implemented recommendations in your
practice.
8. Describe how have you begun, during this term, to take more
initiative for your own skill and knowledge development. How has
this changed since the beginning of term?
9. In the context of your current placement, critically evaluate your
own practice. Describe the steps you have taken during the past
term to become more effective in your practice.
Self-Awareness
1. Discuss the importance of ongoing learning in one’s professional
development. Explain how you have demonstrated your
commitment to this in your current field placement.
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2. Describe the dress code of your field agency? What changes, if any,
have you had to make in order to meet this expectation?
3. Describe three ways in which you have demonstrated that you are
reliable and conscientious?
4. Provide an example of how you have purposefully developed and
maintained professional boundaries in a casework situation.
Describe the potential risks inherent when the distinction between
professional and personal boundaries is unclear?
5. How have your personal skills and areas of need changed
throughout this term of field placement? What areas do you need
to improve upon?
6. Describe a practice situation in which your own personal needs,
values or bias interfered with service delivery. How did you address
this situation?
7. What are the problems with dependency in client-worker
relationships? What steps do you take to minimize the risk of
dependency in practice?
8. In order to develop professionally, one takes risks and steps out of
one’s “comfort zone”. Describe the risks that you have taken to
promote your development as a beginning social worker?
9. Identify any personal issues which may impact negatively upon
your social work role? What process have you undertaken to
address these issues?
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Written Skills
Identify three different types of documents that you have drafted,
as a responsibility within your placement setting. What are the
expectations regarding documentation and how do you strive to
meet these expectations?
Assess your written skills with regard to spelling, grammar,
organization, comprehensiveness and timeliness. What are your
goals for future development in this area?
Describe the use of information technology within your field
setting. In what ways are you expected to use this technology and
what have you had to learn in order to meet this expectation?
Comment on agency guidelines and how you have used these to
assist you in completing the written work to which you are
assigned.
Provide a case specific example of how you have clearly
demonstrated a respectful and unbiased position, in your written
work.
Describe what you perceive as “essential content” and provide an
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example of how you have included this in documentation.
7. List the different audiences that you are required to write for in
your current placement? In what ways does your approach differ,
if at all, depending upon the audience?
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Diversity
Consider your own personal history and experiences associated
with ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, age and
(dis)ability. Describe how these experiences impact upon your
practice.
Describe how you integrate consideration of and issues of diversity
in social work practice. Provide an example (from your field
placement) to illustrate.
In what ways do you demonstrate appreciation for the uniqueness
of individuals in your field setting?
Define cultural competence in social work practice. What specific
measures have you taken to enhance your cultural competence in
your practice?
Provide 2 examples of how you have advocated for a client
(individual, group or community) from a diverse background.
Describe a practice situation in which you have successfully
connected a client to a culturally appropriate resource. Describe
the steps you took to learn about this resource.
Provide a summary of how a particular minority group has
experienced discrimination and oppression, historically and/or
currently. What steps have you taken to demonstrate empathy
and understanding of this, in your social work practice?
In what ways does variation exist within diverse groups?
9. Provide an illustration of how you have incorporated
understanding of diversity within the assessment and intervention
process?
10. Describe a practice situation in which you have explored culture in
order to better understand the presenting issues of concern.
11. Provide one example of how you have promoted social justice by
advocating for policy or practice which better serves the needs of a
diverse client or client group.
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Communication and Interviewing Skills
With reference to a recent meeting or interview, describe 4-5 ways
in which you demonstrated active listening skills and positive
verbal communication skills.
With reference to a recent meeting or interview, describe 4-5 ways
in which you demonstrated positive non-verbal communication
skills.
With reference to a specific practice situation, describe the way in
which you responded, verbally and non-verbally, successfully
demonstrating empathy and objectivity.
Describe the ways in which you have worked towards
understanding and demonstrating when it is appropriate to talk
and to listen. How would you describe your comfort with “silence”
in your meetings with clients?
Provide a practice example of how you have used language
appropriate to the level of a client’s understanding.
Provide an illustration of a situation in which you were able to
effectively convey your own feelings and ideas, different from
those of others.
Explain why it is important to use a range of verbal and non-verbal
skills to facilitate communication with clients and others.
Define “empowerment”. Provide three examples of situations in
which you have attempted to empower clients.
Provide an overview of your personal style of communication in
practice. In what specific areas do you hope to improve?
Observe a client or staff person in your field agency. Describe the
individual’s style of communication, with reference to his/her
verbal and non-verbal skills.
Provide an example in your field setting in which you questioned,
challenged or confronted? Why are these skills important to
develop and use?
Provide a summary description of how your inter-personal
communication skills have developed this year. Provide
illustrations of how you have used and demonstrated these skills in
work with individuals, families, groups, organizations or
communities.
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Engagement Skills
Describe a practice situation in which you effectively demonstrated
acceptance and respect for a client. Identify the skills you used to
convey these feelings.
In paragraph format, provide a summary of how you articulate
your current roles and responsibilities, as a practicum student
within your agency, to clients, others in your agency and in the
community.
Define “client-centered”. Describe the approach you use to be
client-centered in your work with others.
Provide an example of how you have responded effectively to a
client’s questions or concerns. Describe how you would handle a
situation in which you were uncertain how to respond.
Identify and describe four interpersonal communication skills
which you used during an individual or group meeting. In what
ways did these skills promote effective engagement with others?
Identify a situation in which a client appeared to be experiencing
difficulty in expressing his or her feelings, thoughts or needs.
Describe the approach you took to help him or her to identify
relevant concerns.
With reference to at least two practice situations, identify how you
have assumed a strengths-based perspective.
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Data Collection and Assessment
Describe the ways in which systemic/ecological theory is useful in
social work assessment.
Provide an example of an assessment in which you have gathered
and included information pertaining to the client’s perspective and
to any available historical information, of relevance.
Identify the social policies of relevance within your field setting.
How does the current policies within the agency or program help
or hinder support provided to clients?
In your own words, elaborate on the following: “Assessment is an
ongoing process.” Illustrate with reference to a practice situation.
Describe a situation in which you have modified an initial
assessment and plan of intervention to reflect the changing needs
of a client.
Identify the primary agency tools used in your field setting. How
have you used these to collect or assess information in your work
with others?
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7. Describe a practice situation in which you have worked
collaboratively with a client to identify needs and priorities. What
were the needs and priorities identified? How did you plan and/or
contract next steps with the client?
8. Describe a practice situation in which you have been successful in
assisting a client to recognize strengths and abilities, critical to
making change. What was the outcome of this situation?
9. A comprehensive assessment requires soliciting of multiple
perspectives. Provide an example of a practice situation in which
you were able to collect information from a variety of sources and
to include in a report or assessment.
10. Describe a situation in which the client’s perspective differed from
your perspective or the view-point of relevant others. How did you
develop a plan of intervention, with respect to these differing
perspectives?
11. With reference to a particular practice situation, identify the range
of resources/sources used to develop a comprehensive
assessment.
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Planning, Contracting and Goal-Setting
Explain the importance of planning, contracting and goal-setting in
social work practice. In what ways have you been involved in these
processes, to date, in your current field setting?
Provide an example of how you have responded appropriately to a
range of beliefs, emotions and behaviours, as presented by a
client, and have worked in partnership to develop a plan of action.
In 3-4 sentences, provide a summary of how you might (or have)
clarified and discussed the setting of goals with a client.
Describe a practice situation and the process used to agree upon
key priorities, on the basis of a range of identified goals.
Describe how you have clarified your role (“the social work role”)
to a client.
Describe how you have clarified the role of the client, in order to
assist him/her/them in assuming respective responsibility for the
agreed upon plan of intervention.
Identify a practice situation in which you have dealt with a crisis
situation. How did you handle this situation? Identify what you
think worked effectively and what you would do differently if faced
with a similar situation.
Provide a summary of a client situation in which you have
collaboratively developed a contract, including goals, tasks,
timelines, and means of evaluation.
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Date of Completion
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9. Provide an illustration of a situation in which you had to
renegotiate a contract with a client. Describe what was entailed in
this process.
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Intervention/Implementation Skills
Date of Completion
1. “All contact with clients and collaterals constitutes intervention.”
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Explain this statement and provide a practice example.
2. Explain the significance of starting where a client is “at”. Provide a
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practice example in which you have been able to demonstrate this
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effectively.
3. Provide 3 examples of how you have been able to reinforce a
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client’s effort in the change process.
4. Describe a challenging practice situation in which, although
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difficult, you were able to maintain a professionally supportive role.
5. With reference to a practice situation, describe the steps that you
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took to implement a mutually agreed upon contract.
6. Provide a summary that includes description of a practice situation,
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with specific reference to the agreed upon contract, assessment
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and plan of intervention.
7. Provide three examples of work with clients in which you assumed
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an educator or facilitator role.
8. Explain why it is important to identify, with a client, different
possible intervention strategies. Describe a practice situation in
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which a number of interventions were reviewed and identified
prior to the most appropriate being selected.
9. Identify a situation in which the agreed upon contract with a client
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helped to maintain focus in planning and action.
10. Describe a practice situation in which you purposefully paced an
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intervention so as to meet the client’s capacity for change.
11. Provide three examples of work with clients in which you assumed
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the role of mediator.
12. Provide three examples of work with clients in which you assumed
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the role of advocate.
13. Ability to anticipate issues or problems before they arise is an
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important attribute. Explain the relevance of this in intervention
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planning with clients.
14. It is important that, as social workers, we transfer problem-solving
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skills from one situation to another. Describe the ways in which
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you have assisted clients to develop this ability.
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Closure
Explain why it is important to engage in “closure” with clients, coworkers, agency staff and instructors?
Identify the steps you have taken (or plan to take) in ensuring
appropriate closure in placement?
Provide a summary of how you have or will review with a client the
goals he/she has attained. Explain why this is an important part of
closure.
With reference to a practice situation, list 4-5 community
resources that you have identified and provided to a client at the
end of your contact.
Summarize the feedback you have been provided with, from a
client or clients, in terms of the services you have provided as a
social work student.
Identify a policy or procedural change that you could offer (with
respect to your field setting), based on the experiences and
feedback you have received from clients.
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Evaluation
Explain what criteria you have used to measure the success of
intervention with a client.
In your current field placement, who have you sought feedback
from in evaluating yourself as a beginning professional?
Explain the importance of ongoing evaluation during one’s work
with others? Provide an example of a practice situation in which
you purposefully made modifications to an intervention plan as a
result of interim evaluation.
Provide a summary of your professional growth this past year,
including both strengths and areas of need in future development.
Date of Completion
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