Learning Agreement- Social Work – Internship. My Internship is in the hospital: Mental Health – Behavioral Unit
SAMPLE TASKS AND ACTIVITIES
(which can be adapted to each practice setting/context)
SOCIAL WORK FIELD EDUCATION LEARNING AGREEMENT
Student_____________________________
Date_______________________________________
Local Address_________________________________________________________________________
Telephone No.______________________ Email Address_______________________________________
No. of Credits Completed___________
Dates of Field Practice________________________________
Agency Job Title________________________________________________________________________
Faculty Supervisor________________________
Address
Telephone No._______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
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Agency Field Instructor_______________________ Telephone No._______________________________
Organization__________________________________________________________________________
Address ______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Instructions for Developing the Field Education Learning Agreement
Developing the Field Education Learning Agreement should be a collaborative process between the agency field
instructor, the student and the faculty supervisor. The agreement should clearly outline the task assignments and
timeline for student attainment of the CSWE Competencies (CSWE, 2015 EPAS), inclusive of the dimensions of
knowledge, values, skills, and cognitive/affective processes, and as operationalized by the 31 practice behaviors. It
is expected that students will have opportunities during field education to gain exposure to social work practice that
encompasses all competency domains. Progress should be reviewed regularly by the field instructor and student,
and revisions made to the learning agreement during the experience as necessary in order to more fully meet
learning objectives. Additionally, the tasks assigned should afford students the opportunity to demonstrate the
practice behaviors outlined. The faculty supervisor will be a resource in the development and possible revision of
the learning agreement during agency-based field visits and regular consultative phone calls. Field instructors will
be expected to assess the studentsÂ’ performance in attaining the competencies at the end of each semester. Having a
clearly-written learning agreement assists in the evaluation process.
PAGE 2
I. Learning Objectives (Link Specifically to the CSWE Competencies)
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(Please attach additional sheets if necessary)
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II. Assigned Practice Tasks and Activities (Link Specifically to the CSWE Competencies/Practice Behaviors)
Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
1. Make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws and
regulations, models for ethical decision-making, ethical conduct of research, and additional codes of
ethics as appropriate to context;
2. Use reflection and self-regulation to manage personal values and maintain professionalism in practice
situations;
3. Demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior; appearance; and oral, written, and electronic
communication;
4. Use technology ethically and appropriately to facilitate practice outcomes;
5. Use supervision and consultation to guide professional judgment and behavior.
Task Assignments & Activities
Develop a working understanding of the NASW Code of Ethics and adhere to
them when working with clients.
Apply an ethical-decision making model to work through a situation that presents
an ethical dilemma.
Appear professional in appearance, mannerisms, and in interactions with clients.
Use field supervision, weekly journals, and process recordings to manage personal
values and maintain professionalism. Will complete one self-care journal
outlining strategies being utilized.
Develop new coping skills and self-care strategies when feeling stressed or
overwhelmed.
Adhere to agency policy regarding technology and appropriate correspondence
with clients and colleagues.
Utilize supervision to ask questions, discuss development and challenges,
brainstorm, process, and for critical analysis of cases.
Illustrate effective communication in case notes, reports, agency email, and other
written correspondence.
Discuss personal, ethical, and value dilemmas with supervisor.
Timeline for Attainment
Ongoing.
Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
6. Apply and communicate understanding of the importance of diversity and difference in shaping life
experiences in practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels;
7. Present themselves as learners and engage clients and constituencies as experts of their own experiences;
8. Apply self-awareness and self-regulation to manage the influence of personal biases and values in
working with diverse clients and constituencies.
Task Assignments & Activities
Understand the impact of culturally diverse factors at all system levels (micro,
mezzo, and macro).
Establish initial goals with the client system to ensure self-determination.
Timeline for Attainment
Ongoing.
Use assessments that include sections of diversity/culture/spirituality as identified
by the client.
Use journaling and reflection to record personal beliefs, values, and personal
biases and how they may impact interactions with clients.
Demonstrate understanding that the client is most knowledgeable about their story
and experience.
Demonstrate cultural awareness when working with diverse populations using a
strength-based approach.
Research and apply knowledge related to diversity to enhance client well-being.
Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
9. Apply their understanding of social, economic, and environmental justice to advocate for human rights
at the individual and system levels;
10. Engage in practices that advance social, economic, and environmental justice.
Task Assignments & Activities
Identify and describe forms and mechanisms of discrimination and oppression.
Advocate for clients in obtaining needed services and resources.
Engage in on-going program needs assessment to identify gaps in service.
Identify common economic barriers to accessing service delivery.
Examine current political events and their impact on clients.
Contact a legislator about a current client population need or gap in service
delivery.
Attend a public hearing or organizational meeting focused on increasing social and
economic justice.
Educate others and advocate for a bill promoting civil rights for a marginalized
group.
Timeline for Attainment
Ongoing.
Competency 4: Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
11. Use practice experience and theory to inform scientific inquiry and research;
12. Apply critical thinking to engage in analysis of quantitative and qualitative research methods and
research findings; and
13. Use and translate research evidence to inform and improve practice, policy, and service delivery.
Task Assignments & Activities
Read professional journal articles that relate to evidenced-based practice and
discuss with supervisor.
Timeline for Attainment
Ongoing.
Conduct a thorough literature review to address a practice issue at the agency.
Discuss cases with your supervisor noting the presenting problem, proposed
solution(s), plan of action, and measurable outcomes.
Discuss the effects of research on agency practice and/or policy.
Analyze evidence-based methods being utilized within the agency.
Compare agency evidence-based methods with methods being discussed in the
classroom.
Interview treatment team members for varying perspectives on evidenced-based
practice models used.
Examine your own practice and skills by accepting feedback from clients and
supervisor.
Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice
14. Identify social policy at the local, state, and federal level that impacts well-being, service delivery, and
access to social services;
15. Assess how social welfare and economic policies impact the delivery of and access to social services;
16. Apply critical thinking to analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance human rights and
social, economic, and environmental justice.
Task Assignments & Activities
Describe social policies, laws, and practices that impact the client system or
delivery of services.
Understand how changes in policy can help clients to overcome an identified
social problem.
Define how the agency partners with local resources in the provision of services.
Identify relevant organizational and informational web sites that provide social
policy information relevant to the population that the agency serves.
Create a fact sheet about legislative initiatives relevant to your agency population
to educate the public.
Identify client advocacy activities supported by the agency which promote
benefits for at risk populations.
Participate in a community advocacy event and/or attend the annual PA NASW
Legislative Education and Advocacy Day (LEAD).
Timeline for Attainment
Ongoing.
Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
17. Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other
multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks to engage with clients and constituencies;
18. Use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage diverse clients and constituencies.
Task Assignments & Activities
Develop interviewing and rapport-building skills.
Timeline for Attainment
Ongoing.
Demonstrate an ability to empathize and use appropriate interpersonal skills with
clients.
Develop and maintain an effective helping relationship with clients.
Relate social work perspectives and relevant theories to practice.
Determine client strengths and understand the clientÂ’s challenges from a life span
perspective.
Demonstrate appropriate professional roles and boundaries when working with
clients.
Identify areas of comfort and discomfort in client engagement.
Provide equal and just treatment to all clients of the agency, treating them with
respect and dignity.
Reflect on how personal assumptions impact client interactions and the helping
relationship.
Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
19. Collect and organize data, and apply critical thinking to interpret information from
clients and constituencies;
20. Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other
multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the analysis of assessment data from clients and
constituencies;
21. Develop mutually agreed-on intervention goals and objectives based on the critical assessment of
strengths, needs, and challenges within clients and constituencies;
22. Select appropriate intervention strategies based on the assessment, research knowledge, and values and
preferences of clients and constituencies.
Task Assignments & Activities
Complete comprehensive bio-psycho-social-cultural-spiritual assessments on the
client system.
Identify strengths and needs of the client.
Apply various theories of human behavior when assessing clients.
Adhere to proper documentation in client records.
Complete a family genogram and/or eco-map as part of an assessment.
Integrate understanding of the developmental stages in the assessment process.
Examine the strengths and limitations of various assessment tools.
Timeline for Attainment
Ongoing.
Gather, organize, and interpret relevant client data.
Evaluate environmental impact upon clientÂ’s presenting problems.
Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
23. Critically choose and implement interventions to achieve practice goals and enhance capacities of
clients and constituencies;
24. Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other
multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in interventions with clients and constituencies;
25. Use inter-professional collaboration as appropriate to achieve beneficial practice outcomes;
26. Negotiate, mediate, and advocate with and on behalf of diverse clients and constituencies;
27. Facilitate effective transitions and endings that advance mutually agreed-on goals.
Task Assignments & Activities
Describe the conceptual frameworks and theories that inform the selected
intervention.
Timeline for Attainment
Ongoing.
Utilize skills that enhance client well-being from a strengths-based perspective.
Assess progress towards goal attainment and revise intervention plans
accordingly.
Participate in opportunities for community outreach and education for clients.
Attend a public hearing or organizational meeting focused on increasing social and
economic justice.
Present cases at multidisciplinary meetings.
Develop and/or facilitate/co-facilitate a support group.
Demonstrate knowledge regarding the roles of the multidisciplinary team in
providing care for the client system.
Analyze evidence-based methods being utilized within the agency.
Determine community resources and services to facilitate the referral process.
Review progress and prepare the client throughout termination phase.
Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
28. Select and use appropriate methods for evaluation of outcomes;
29. Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other
multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the evaluation of outcomes;
30. Critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate intervention and program processes and outcomes;
31. Apply evaluation findings to improve practice effectiveness at the micro, mezzo, and macro level.
Task Assignments & Activities
Review goals and objectives with the client to determine progress.
Timeline for Attainment
Ongoing.
Review client records to determine progress of goals.
Demonstrate knowledge of evaluation practices.
Develop future recommendations for outcome strategies for goal attainment.
Identify social work theories as they apply to the process of evaluating outcomes.
Integrate supervisor feedback to improve social work skills.
Discuss in supervision the success or limitations of an intervention or program.
Evaluate in supervision assessments, data collection, and intervention practices.
(Please attach additional sheets if necessary)
III.
Evaluation Procedures
1.
Meeting with Agency Field Instructor and Faculty Supervisor.
2.
Preparation, supervisor review, and signing of Weekly Log of Activities.
3.
Meeting the hour requirement for the field placement as documented on the Weekly Log of
Activities.
4.
Preparation, supervisor review, and signing of the Field Education Agreement.
5.
Agency Supervisor’s completion of the Field Evaluation Form.
6.
Student’s mandatory attendance at weekly on-campus field seminar meetings.
_______________________________________________
Student
Date
_______________________________________________
Agency Field Instructor
Date
_______________________________________________
Agency Task Supervisor (if applicable)
Date
_______________________________________________
Faculty Supervisor
Date
