Cochrane, Susan F. : College of St. Catherine / University of St. Thomas
Hanley, Marla Martin : College of St. Catherine / University of St. Thomas
Summary
This paperback text offers a practical guide for students who are taking a field work or practicum course for
completion of their social work degree at the undergraduate or graduate level. The book utilizes a model that describes
how students progress through their practicum in stages : Beginning, Reality Confrontation, Relative Mastery, and
Closure. Each chapter includes exercises for skill and concept development, assignments, and activities, and also
addresses common features, issues, and needs of students at each stage of their development. Written in a friendly,
helpful manner, the book helps students to identify their strengths, needs, and learning styles; to become familiar
with agency organization on the micro, mezzo, and macro levels; to formulate their field goals and strategies ways
to evaluate learning; to develop and to build on the supervisory relationship; and to end their placement in a
thoughtful and effective manner. The relationship with the student's field instructor, which is viewed as an essential
component of the learning experience, is reinforced throughout the book.
Features
Serves as a paperback guide to the field work or practicum seminar at either the undergraduate or graduate
levels in social work and human services.
Uses a developmental model that describes how students progress through their field work placement in stages,
learning skills and concepts through interactive exercises and assignments.
Focuses attention on building a supervisory relationship with the field instructor, while helping students
enhance and develop that relationship, as well as deal with any problems that may arise during their placement.
Each chapter includes exercises for skill and concept development through assignments and activities; checklists
and forms are provided to guide students through key field tasks.
Table of Contents
Most chapters include "Vignettes," "Developmental Features," "Journal Assignments,"
"Seminar Activities," "References," and "Additional Readings."
Introduction.
PART I. BEGINNING.
Chapter 1. Preparing to Learn.
Stage 1 Chart.
Integration and Application.
What Is Field?
What to Expect from Others.
What to Expect from Yourself.
Table 1.1 Check Out Your Fit with Social Work.
Chapter 2. Planning Your Orientation.
Stage 1 Chart.
The Value of Planned Orientation.
Micro Level of Orientation.
Table 2.1 Orientation Plan.
Mezzo Level of Orientation.
Macro Level of Orientation.
Form 2.1 Beginning Agreement.
Form 2.2 Agency Presentation Outline.
Chapter 3. Focusing Your Learning.
Stage 1 Chart.
Assess Program Requirements.
Assess Agency Possibilities.
Assess Personal Needs.
Table 3.1 Learning Contract.
Planning a Learning Contract.
Form 3.1 Learning Contract.
Chapter 4. Beginning the Work.
Stage 1 Chart.
Tuning In.
Explaining Your Role.
Prepare to Listen for Unspoken Messages.
Review Your Work.
Form 4.1 Work Presentation.
PART II. REALITY CONFRONTATION.
Chapter 5. Building Skills in Supervision and Feedback.
Stage 2 Chart.
Understanding Supervision.
Feedback : A Central Skill.
Table 5.1 SPIN : Guidelines for Feedback.
Chapter 6. Confronting Difficult Issues.
Stage 2 Chart.
Why Confront Difficult Issues?
Table 6.1 Examples of Difficult Issues.
The Importance of Using Consultation.
Skills for Confronting Difficult Issues.
Form 6.1 Evaluating Your Group Participation.
Form 6.2 Peer Consultation Request.
PART III. RELATIVE MASTERY.
Chapter 7. Shaping a Professional Self.
Stage 3 Chart.
Moving Toward a More Aware Practice.
Table 7.1 Developing a Personal Style.
Moving Toward a More Active Practice.
Table 7.2 Markers of Active Practice.
Moving Toward a More Analytical Practice.
Table 7.3 Seven Step Model of Ethical Decision Making.
Form 7.1 Professional Behavior Checklist.
Stage 4 Chart.
Handling Endings.
Process of Termination.
Moving on : Life beyond Field.
Table 9.1 Tasks for Termination.
Form 9.1 Field Evaluation.
Appendices.
Appendix A : Steps to Finding a Field Placement.
Appendix B : Interviewing with an Agency.
Appendix C : Application for Social Work Field Position.
Appendix D : Field Practicum in Place of Employment.
Appendix E : Decision Map.
Appendix F : Codes of Ethics.
