BSW4805/301/0/2023-24

Tutorial Letter BSW 4805/301/0/2023-24

WORK-INTEGRATED LEARNING PLACEMENT

FOR CASE, GROUP AND COMMUNITY WORK
IN FOURTH LEVEL FOR 2024

Year modules

Department of Social Work

Please register on myUnisa, activate your myLife e-mail account and make sure that you
have regular access to the myUnisa module(s) website, BSW 4805-2024-0, as well as your
group website.

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 CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 3
2. PURPOSE .............................................................................................................. 3
3. DURATION OF PRACTICAL PLACEMENT ........................................................... 4
4. CONTENT OF PRACTICAL PLACEMENT ............................................................ 5
5. PRACTICUM PLACEMENT ................................................................................... 5
5.1 Placement with Organisation
5.2 Placement with Unisa Appointed Supervisor
5.3 Confirmation of Placement
6. PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND CANCELLATION OF PRACTICAL WORK .... 8
7. SOLEMN DECLARATION AND CODE OF CONDUCT ....................................... 11
8. NEGOTIATIONS WITH EMPLOYER TO CONDUCT PRACTICUM AND ATTEND
WORKSHOPS ............................................................................................... 11
8.1 REQUESTING DAYS OFF WORK TO ATTEND PRACTICUM ......................... 11
9. PRACTICUM HUB INFORMATION ..................................................................... 12
10. IN CLOSING ...................................................................................................... 12
11. ADDENDUMS .................................................................................................... 13
ADDENDUM A: RELEASE AND INDEMNIFICATION
ADDENDUM B: SOLEMN DECLARATION
ADDENDUM C: FORM 30 ENQUIRY
ADDENDUM D: CONFIRMATION LETTER
ADDENDUM E: LETTER TO EMPLOYER

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1. INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the fourth level student social work practicum. This is the tutorial letter to
prepare you for 2024 practicum modules.

The nature of the practical work requires co-responsibility by all the parties involved.
We therefore have to make very specific arrangements to ensure that the Department
of Social Work, you, and the organisation where you will execute your practical work,
all feel secure with the way the placements and the practical work are handled.

For the three work-integrated learning methods you will be placed simultaneously at a
welfare organisation – either at a non-governmental organisation or a government
department dealing with social welfare services. You will also be placed with a Unisa
appointed supervisor.

Students must complete the Online Form to Apply for Practicum at the following link:

BSW 4805 PLACEMENTS - 2024 - Google Forms

(Control+Click to follow Link)

2. PURPOSE

This tutorial letter will guide you in the process of applying for admission to practicum
placement at an organisation, as well as with a supervisor. The addendums to the
tutorial letter must be completed in order for you to qualify to enter into work-integrated
learning at an organisation. These documents must be submitted via e-mail the
moment you are registered for the module(s). It must be submitted to the practicum
assistant, Ms Madzhuta at SOCIAL WORK PRACTICUM-UNISA
[email protected].

This tutorial letter will also provide you with important information regarding ethical
behaviour, requirements for practicum and consequences of not fulfilling the
requirement.

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3. DURATION OF PRACTICAL PLACEMENT

Practical work starts in the first week of April until middle September 2023. Block
placement is in April and this entails one full week – consisting of five days of eight
hours per day. If you did not start in April with your practicum, you still have to conduct
block placement during the first week of your practicum.

The following notional hours must be reached, otherwise you will not qualify to sit for
oral assessments.

BSW 4805

48 Days practicum at the organisation.

Mid-Year assessments:

The mid-year assessments take place in mid-June to mid-July. By that time you must
have done enough practical work to be halfway through your expected outcome of
practicum work.You therefore have to be very sure that if you register late, you
make up for time missed. You must be able to prove that, even if you registered only
in mid-March, you have conducted enough days/hours of practicum at the organisation
to make up all the hours necessary to pass your practicum modules.

If you are not half-way through your practicum work by the time of your mid-year
assessment you will be red-flagged. Being red-flagged means that the Supervisor and
Lecturers will take special notice of your progress and you will have to come up with
a catch-up plan/improvement plan to ensure that you will pass the module(s).

• During your time at the organisation you have to:

1. see your clients (individual/family, group, and/or community), and

2. get involved in voluntary work at the organisation (administrative tasks, help
with intakes, attend meetings, attend training sessions, etc).

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In addition, you will have to make provision for half a day per week/on weekends for
supervision as arranged with your supervisor and the other students in your group.
Supervision sessions are usually 2 - 3 hours per session.

You are required to attend at least 24 supervision sessions.

You will also need to set aside one day during June/July for the mid-year assessments
and one day during September/October for oral assessments of your practical work.

These stipulated days do NOT include the time you need to write your reports and
perform your other tasks that form part of the practical work. This also does NOT
include your compulsory workshops/broadcasts or time needed to complete
your theory assignments.

You may NOT do your report writing and other assignments during the time spent at
the organisation.

4. CONTENT OF THE PRACTICAL WORK MODULES

• Casework: A total of at least 20 interviews need to be conducted with

individuals/families. You should have at least 5-7 sessions with the same client, so
that lecturers can determine your understanding of phases of the helping process.
• Group work: A minimum of eight sessions to be conducted with at least one
group.
• Community work: The student is expected to plan, implement and evaluate a
small scale community work project according to the theory of Weyers.

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5. PRACTICUM PLACEMENT

5.1 Placement at an organisation

Please ensure that you complete the google form that is in the link above. Attached to
this tutorial letter there is also a Request for Placement letter that may only be used to
take to small NGOs and NOT to Department of Social Development or any other
government department where you may want to request placement.

Should you request placement at a government Department or DSD, please indicate

that on the google form.

5.2 Placement with a Unisa appointed supervisor

Once you have found placement at an organisation, you will be placed with a Unisa
appointed supervisor. This placement is done by accessing your online information,
when you register for the module. Should you register late, it could result in you being
placed late with a supervisor.

PLEASE NOTE: No supervisor or organisation placements will be done after 30

May 2024. If you do not have an organisation and supervisor by that time, you will not
be able to complete your necessary practicum notional hours and will fail the module.

• You may NOT choose your own supervisor.

• You may NOT go directly to a supervisor and request placement.
• A supervisor does not have the authority to add you to his/her group - all
placements must be done via the Practicum Coordinator and Lecturers.
• Should it be found that you did not follow protocol to be placed, you will be
removed from the supervisor and placed elsewhere. You will also receive a
non-compliance letter.

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If you want to change your supervisor, you must contact the National Coordinator
and copy your lecturer in the mail. Should you want to report your supervisor for any
unethical behaviour or problems during supervision, please contact the Practicum
Coordinator and/or your practicum lecturers.

5.4 Placement and submission of documentation

Confirmation of placement is done during March - May 2023. You must e-mail the
compliance documentation before you start your practicum.

COMPLIANCE DOCUMENTATION

Your placement documentation entails the following documents, which must be

submitted during the confirmation of placements:

• Indemnity Form
• Solemn Declaration
• Form 30 - proof of fax or e-mail to Department of Social Development (DSD)
• Proof of registration with the South African Council of Social Service Professions
(SACSSP) as a student social worker
• Proof of registration for the modules. It could be a provisional registration.

Should you not have paid for your practicum modules as yet, you must provide your
provisional proof of registration and start with your practicum. Please make sure you
submit the proof of registration the moment your registration is finalized. Should your
provisional registration be cancelled, you will not be allowed to continue with
practicum, since you will then not be acting under the auspices of Unisa.

6. PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND CANCELLATION OF

PRACTICAL WORK

The practical placement introduces students to the workplace and the professional
relationship with colleagues and clients. Students are introduced to the Code of Ethics

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and Professional Conduct, but it is important to ensure that all students have a clear
understanding of the expectations of professional conduct as well as the disciplinary
process that will follow unprofessional conduct.

There are specific academic requirements of students that should be met in order to
be successful. These may include attendance of workshops, attendance of
supervision, submission of assignments, and meeting the requirements in terms of
assessments. Non-adherence will lead to students failing a module.

PLEASE NOTE: You may NOT continue seeing/counselling a client(s) unless

your previous report on this client has been supervised and marked by your
supervisor. If you counsel a client without proper supervision, you will be
reported for unethical behaviour to the Departmental Ethical Committee and to
the SACSSP.

6.1 UNETHICAL BEHAVIOUR:

• Should you plagiarise your final assessment comprehensive report or should it

seem that you fraudulently made up clients/group work or community work
project(s); you will fail the module and will not be allowed to sit for oral
assessment.
• Should you conduct practicum without being supervised by a Unisa appointed
supervisor, you will be found guilty of misconduct and will not be allowed to sit
for the oral assessment.
• Should you plagiarise a process report or submit the same report twice, you will
fail the module - even if it is only one report that was plagiarised.
• Should you not attend at least 24 supervision sessions, you will not qualify
for oral assessments. You still have to attend supervision even if you did not
see a client or did not submit a report.
• Should you not submit the required number of reports for each module, you will
not be able to sit for oral assessments and will fail the module.

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• Any unethical behaviour or dishonesty related to academic work, for example,

plagiarism or copying from fellow students, will result in a disciplinary process
that may result in deregistration of the student.
• The practical modules have unique requirements that relate to the practical
work. This may involve misuse of organisational resources; not keeping proper
records of practical work; presenting false reports; and misrepresentation to
clients. This could also lead to disciplinary action.
• Should you collude with your supervisor or any other Unisa appointed
contractor regarding report writing, assessment or unethical behaviour of any
kind; you will fail the module and both you and the supervisor will be reported
to the SACSSP and Departmental Ethical Committee.
• Should you lie about attendance at the organisation or not go in for the required
days, you will not be allowed to sit for oral assessment.
• Any action that contradicts the code of conduct may result in a disciplinary
process – both within the university as well as through the South African Council
of Social Service Professions.
• Cancellation of practical work modules once you have started working with
clients is very difficult, as there are certain ethical issues involved in this. There
needs to be proper termination and a social worker who can continue with your
cases.
• You may not change organisations without valid reasons and proper
intervention by the National Practicum Coordinator.
No special arrangements will be made for students who cannot fulfil the
required days. The required days are determined by the Council for Higher Education
standards for student social work practicum.

If you feel unsure of whether you will be able to cope, rather do not register for
practical work, or register for only one of the practical modules, if you are a SCK
student.

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6.2 PROTOCOLS - DEPARTMENTAL ETHICAL CONDUCT COMMITTEE

The Department of Social Work has established an Ethical Conduct Committee

consisting of practicum lecturers and the National Coordinator to deal with all matters
of unethical behaviour regarding practicum work. This includes all issues mentioned
above under point 6.1.

The following protocol must be/ will be followed to report a student or supervisor for
unethical behaviour:

• Supervisor/lecturer/organisation reports the student to the Practicum

coordinator and Chairperson of Ethical committee, Dr. Adlem/Dr Calitz. Or The
student(s) report the supervisor to the lecturers or national coordinator.
• The case is referred to the Ethical Committee.
• The Ethical Committee, through guidelines in terms of unethical behaviour and
consequences, investigates and compiles a disciplinary letter and/or written
warning to the reported student/supervisor.
• Student/supervisor is given opportunity to appeal the letter or come clean and
apologise.
• Further investigation and/or interviews with relevant parties.
• Ethical Committee decides whether student may sit for oral assessment and
recommends in terms of corrective measures.
• Ethical committee decides whether student should be reported to University's
Disciplinary Committee and SACSSP.
• Ethical Committee decides whether to report supervisor to SACSSP.

7. SOLEMN DECLARATION & CODE OF CONDUCT

All students are expected to sign the Solemn Declaration and submit to the practicum
hub prior to starting with practicum work.

You will also be expected to sign an Indemnity Form, which will indemnify Unisa from
any responsibility should you come to harm during your practicum work.

You may not conduct practicum without having signed these documents.

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You will also sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Placement Organisation.

8. NEGOTIATIONS WITH YOUR EMPLOYER TO CONDUCT

PRACTICUM OR TO ATTEND WORKSHOPS

8.1 Requesting days off work to attend practicum/workshops

Any requests to conduct practicum and be excused from work are your own
responsibility. Unisa does not interfere in the HR processes of your employer.

We provide you with the tutorial letters on workshop dates and allow for the facilitators
to provide your employer with an attendance letter. We cannot confirm your
attendance PRIOR to the actual workshop taking place. The only person able to
confirm attendance is the workshop facilitator. Please ensure that you ask the
workshop facilitator for such an attendance confirmation letter as soon as possible
during or after the workshop.

Attached to this document you will find a letter that you can provide to your employer
to indicate the days you will spend in practicum and workshops. This is the standard
letter we make available to students to submit to employers.

9. PRACTICUM HUB INFORMATION

RESPONSIBLE AREA NAME CONTACT DETAILS

National Coordinator Ms Hobbs 012 352 4216
[email protected]

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10. IN CLOSING

Your documentation must be submitted before you start with practicum. You must
already be registered with the SACSSP. If you do not submit all the needed
documentation, you may not conduct practicum.

The practicum coordinator and practicum lecturers wish you a successful practicum
experience and good luck with the hard work ahead.

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ADDENDUM A
RELEASE AND INDEMNIFICATION FOR STUDENTS

STUDENT: (Name and Address) INSTITUTION:

__________________________________ University of South Africa (Unisa)
__________________________________
__________________________________

STUDENT NO. ______________________________________________________

ID NO.: ____________________________________________________________
EMERGENCY CONTACT: _____________________________________________

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY: WORK-INTEGRATED LEARNING FOR SOCIAL

WORK STUDENT
LOCATION: _______________________ from April – middle September 2023

I, the above named student, am 18 years of age or older and have voluntarily applied
to participate in the above activity. I acknowledge that the nature of the activity may
expose me to hazards or risks that may result in my illness, personal injury, death, or
may result in damages – either direct or consequential, and I understand and
appreciate the nature of such hazards and risks.

In consideration of my participation in the activity, I hereby accept all risks that may
result from such participation and I hereby release the above named institution, its
management, staff, employees and representatives from all liability to me, my personal
representatives, estate, heirs, next of kin, for any and all claims and causes of action
for loss of or damage to my property and for any and all illness or injury to my person,
including my death, that may result from or occur during my participation in the activity,
whether caused by negligence of the institution, its management, staff, officers,
employees, or representatives, or otherwise. I further agree to indemnify and hold
harmless the institution and its management, staff, employees, and representatives
from liability for the injury or death of any person(s) and damage to property that may
result from my negligent or intentional act or omission while participating in the
described activity.
I have carefully read this agreement and understand it to be a release of all claims
and causes of action for my injury or death or damage to my property that occurs while
participating in the described activity, and it obligates me to indemnify the parties
named for any liability for injury or death of any person and damage to property caused
by my negligent or intentional act or omission.

________________________________________________________________
Signature of Student Date

_______________________________________________________________
Witness Date

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ADDENDUM B

SOLEMN DECLARATION FOR STUDENT SOCIAL WORKER

I _________________________________________________ ___________, a
student social worker registered with the South African Council for Social Service
Professions (SACSSP Registration Number 40:______________), and attending the
University of ______________________________ (Student Number:
____________________) believe in:

➢ the uniqueness, responsibility of self-determination and ultimate worth of every

human being, irrespective of status, culture, gender, religion, lifestyle and other
differences;
➢ a society in which all members share the same basic rights, security,
opportunities, obligations and social benefits;
➢ collective human responsibility for the well-being of society; and
➢ the capacity of all people to change, grow and develop under the stimulating
influence of other people, through own life experience and through beneficial
living conditions.

I therefore solemnly undertake the following:

➢ At all times, to conduct myself in such a manner that it will be to the benefit of the
profession of social work, its clients, colleagues and social service organisations.
➢ To serve my fellow human beings and the community, and at all times to strive
for the enhancement of their effective social functioning.
➢ To continually strive for the promotion of social justice.
➢ To always work under the supervision of a registered social worker.
➢ To perform all functions as a student social worker and not to overstep this
boundary or misrepresent myself and/or my responsibilities.
➢ To always adhere to the ethical code of the profession, as contained in the Social
Service Professions Act (Act 110 of 1978, as amended).
➢ To fully accept the consequences that may result from non-compliance with
these provisions.
I declare that I do not have any objection to taking this pledge.
I consider this to be binding on my conscience, and
I commit myself to upholding this declaration.

Signed at ___________________ (place) on (date) ___________________

___________________________ _________________________________
DEPONENT UNIVERSITY SUPERVISOR
Endorsed by the SACSSP for completion by student social workers:
www.sacssp.co.za

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ADDENDUM C
Form 30
INQUIRY BY PERSON TO ESTABLISH WHETHER HIS NAME IS INCLUDED IN
PART B OF THE NATIONAL CHILD PROTECTION REGISTER
(Regulation 44)
(Section 126 of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005)

To: Department of Social Development

Private Bag x901
0001
Attention: Mr S Mashiane
Tel: 012 312 7371
Fax: 086 542 6289 [email protected]

Dear Sir,

In terms of section 126 of the Children’s Act, 38 of 2005,

I…………………………………………………… (full names and surname) wish to
inquire whether my name is included in Part B of the National Child Protection
Register. A certified copy of one of the following documents is attached as
verification of my identity.

o Birth certificate
o Identity document
o Passport

In the event that my name is included in Part B of the Register, kindly furnish me with
a reason why this was done

Please note that Section 126 of the Act requires you to respond to this inquiry
within 21 working days.

My personal details are:

Full names:
Surname:
Physical address:
Postal address:
Telephone numbers:

Yours sincerely
Signature: ____________________________ Date: ______________

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ENQ: M HOBBS-RUSSELL 012 352 4216

LETTER TO EMPLOYER

…………………………………………………………..

CONFIRMATION OF PRACTICUM: UNISA FOURTH-LEVEL STUDENT – 2024

STUDENT NAME & SURNAME: ………………………………………………

STUDENT NUMBER: ………………………………………

It is hereby confirmed that the bearer of this letter is a fourth-level practicum social
work student at Unisa.

The practicum experience in social work is a compulsory requirement for all social
work students and they will not qualify unless they have conducted the practicum.

PRACTICUM PLACEMENT

Placement involves the following:

• Students attend a welfare organisation one day per week per practicum
module, resulting in at least 24 days per module.
• If the student takes all practicum modules, it will mean that the student has to
be at the organisation for three days per week from April – middle September
2023.

Students should show the employer proof of their registration for the practicum
modules, which are the following:

SCK 4802 – CASE WORK

BSW 4805 – Integrated case-, group- and community practicum work.

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SUPERVISION
Students attend one morning or afternoon per week supervision. Supervision is
conducted by a Unisa appointed supervisor. It takes place on a day and at a time as
scheduled between the supervisor and the student.

There are about 6 workshop days for each module. Lecturers also conduct
online Broadcasting sessions as part of the practicum education of students.
The workshop facilitator will provide the student with an attendance letter.

This letter serves to confirm the practicum requirements for fourth-level social work
students. Negotiating for study leave from the employer of the student is a human
resource function of the employer. Unisa can only supply the above proof of
requirements.

We hope you find this in order,

M HOBBS-RUSSELL

NATIONAL PRACTICUM COORDINATOR

COLLEGE OF HUMAN SCIENCES

SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK

UNISA

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ENQ: M HOBBS-RUSSELL 012 352 4216

PLACEMENT ORGANISATION

………………………………………………

DEAR SIR / MADAM

REQUEST FOR PLACEMENT OF UNISA FOURTH-LEVEL PRACTICUM SOCIAL

WORK STUDENT – 2024

STUDENT NAME & SURNAME: …………………………………………………

STUDENT NUMBER: …………………………………………………

It is hereby confirmed that the bearer of this letter is a fourth-level practicum social
work student at Unisa. Unisa is requesting that you accept our student for practicum
placement at your organisation.

The practicum experience in social work is a compulsory requirement for all social
work students and they will not qualify unless they have conducted the practicum.

Placement is from middle April – middle September 2023. Students are expected to
conduct at least 24 days of practicum PER practicum module. Therefore, if the
student is registered for all modules, it will be 72-75 days at the organisation.

The student is registered for the following practicum modules:

BSW 4805 – Integrated case, group and community work practicum

The requirements for student placement are the following:

Case Work: student must compile 20 case work reports. At least one of the student’s
clients must involve 6 – 7 sessions so that it is clear that the student understands the
process of integrating theory into practice and the process of intervention.
Group Work: student must conduct at least 8 sessions with a group identified
according to needs at the organisation.

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Community Work: student must be able to show that he/she understands

community work theory and can apply it in practice. The student must submit at least
10-15 community work interview reports indicating that he/she implemented theory
into practice.

Unisa will appoint a supervisor to supervise the student’s integration of theory into
practice.

The requirements from the organisational social work are the following:

• Orientation regarding organisation policy, practice and general functioning

during the block placement.
• Appropriate learning opportunities for case work, group work and community
work.
• Feedback to the Social Work Department on students’ performance during
mid-year and final evaluation.
• Liaison with the student’s supervisor.
• Weekly consultation with the student to ensure accountability. The student
must keep the contact person informed on what he/she is doing.

Your acceptance of our student for work-integrated learning will be highly

appreciated.

M HOBBS-RUSSELL

NATIONAL PRACTICUM COORDINATOR

COLLEGE OF HUMAN SCIENCES

SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK

UNISA

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 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN UNISA AND PLACEMENT ORGANISATION

1. UNISA REPRESENTATIVES

1.1 PRACTICUM COORDINATOR:

NAME AND SURNAME: MARLIZE HOBBS-RUSSELL

CONTACT DETAILS: [email protected] / 012 352 4216

2. ORGANISATION REPRESENTATIVES

2.1 ORGANISATION NAME & ADDRESS

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

2.2 SOCIAL WORK SUPERVISOR

NAME AND SURNAME: _____________________________________

CONTACT DETAILS: _____________________________________

3. STUDENT’S DETAILS

STUDENT NAME AND SURNAME: _____________________________________

STUDENT NUMBER: _________________________________

CELL NUMBER: _____________________________________

E-MAIL ADDRESS: __________________________________

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4. MODULES RELEVANT:

BSW 4805 (Case, group, community)

5. PURPOSE

The purpose of this agreement is:

5.1 To guide the working relationships of all parties involved in the first to fourth year
practicum program at the experiential learning organisation without infringing on any
party’s rights;

5.2 To establish the partnership between the student, the institution (Unisa) and the field
practicum/placement organisation;

5.3 To protect the student, the organisation and the institution by clearly stating the
conduct and responsibilities expected of a student social worker/learner social auxiliary
worker, organisation and supervisor while executing the fieldwork practice;

5.4 To protect the Department and the Placement Organisation by providing measures to
terminate the student’s practice programme if necessary.

6. CONTRACTUAL CONDITIONS

6.1 Placement period:

FROM…………………………………………TO: …………………………………………

6.2 Office hours:

Office hours are from …................... to …...................

Lunch will be from …................... to …..................

Tea break is from …................... to …...................

Once office hours have been finalised, all parties will adhere to the schedule. Changes in the
schedule need to be re-negotiated by all parties.

Official activities on a weekend, public holiday or after hours, form part of the compulsory
working hours and should be indicated as such on the time sheet.

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6.3 Attendance and Leave

• Absence from fieldwork/ practicum activities should be communicated ahead of time

as determined by the supervisor and student – by means of e-mails, text messages,
telephonically or personally. No ‘Please call me’ communication is allowed, except
in extenuating circumstances.

• In the case of absence from any activity due to any other reason than illness, the
student has to submit a written motivation to the organisation supervisor and relevant
lecturer.

• In the case of absence from the Placement or any activity at the University without
prior arrangement, it will be regarded as unethical behaviour. This will be reported to
the Unisa relevant lecturer from where the matter may appear before the Ethical
Committee of the Department.

• In the case of absence for more than two days on account of illness, a valid medical
certificate should be submitted to the organisation and placed in the student’s Portfolio
of Evidence.

• Family responsibility leave:

Students are entitled to special leave for instance to attend the funeral of a close family
member. Substantiating documents or a motivation letter must be handed in with the
application.

6.4 Dress code

The student will be dressed in a presentable appropriate manner, which will not harm the
image of the organisation.

6.5 Student Tasks to be performed

The student will be exposed to all areas of functioning of the organisation, from fieldwork,
intake, court attendance, as well as any other administrative related functions.

6.6 Attendance of meetings, case conferences and staff meetings

The student will attend all meetings and case conferences, where possible given the identified
dates, which the student will be at the organisation.

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6.7 Record Keeping

• Students must write process reports after every contact with all service users according
to the guidelines of the Placement organisation. All reports should be filed in the
Placement organisation’s filing system before students leave the office for the day.
After a home visit / internet or other contact (during Covid 19 situation), the student
must file the report on the first working day at the office.

• All reports for assessment purposes must be written according to the guidelines
outlined in the study guide.

• Students may not proceed with any contact with service users before they have
received feedback from the supervisor at the organisation on their progress and
planning, or the relevant lecturer of the module.

• Each report must be signed and provided with a date.

6.8 Professional Conduct

• The student’s professional conduct has to adhere to the relevant policies, legislation
and the code of conduct of the SACSSP. Students can be reported to the SACSSP by
UNISA, Placements or service users for disciplinary hearings. Ethical behaviour is
expected at all times.

• It is the responsibility of the organisation to report any form of unethical or

unprofessional conduct at the Placement Organisation to relevant lecturer.

7.ORGANISATIONAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

7.1 Social Worker

The role of the social worker at the organisation is important and may be time consuming.
This person at the organisation is a very important link between UNISA and the organisation
during the course of the students’ practical work and is responsible for arrangements for
practical work during block and concurrent placement.
The social worker at the organisation agrees to be responsible for the following:

• Orientation regarding organisation policy, practice and general functioning during the
block placement.
• Appropriate learning opportunities for case work, group work and community work
• Feedback to the Social Work Department on students’ performance
• Supervision of case-, group- and community work conducted at the organisation by the
student.
• Weekly consultation with the student to ensure accountability. The student must keep the
contact person informed on what he/she is doing.

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7.2 Learning Opportunities

• The Placement organisation will provide the student with suitable learning
opportunities on micro-, messo- and macro levels according to the requirements as
stated in the relevant SCK/BSW/SAW study guide.
• The student will deliver services to individual service users/families on a long-term
basis for assessment purposes.

• In case of termination, for any reason, the supervisor will allocate a new service user
for assessment purposes;

• The student will deliver services as required by the placement organisation to

additional service users/families - to be supervised by the organisation;

• The Placement organisation will assist the student in identifying one group for
assessment purposes. The student will screen prospective group members;

• The student may facilitate additional group work at the Placement according to the
Placement’s needs – the student’s workload permitting;

• The supervisor at the organisation will also be responsible for supervision of any
additional work other than the Unisa requirements;

• The Placement organisation will assist the student in identifying and engaging in
continuous involvement in a community work project/programme. No ‘once-off’
engagement is allowed for fourth level students. The fourth level students must
establish a new project in the community or as approved by Unisa on other platforms
such as online social education.

7.3 Supervision

Attendance of weekly supervision with the organisational supervisor is compulsory. The social
worker at the organisation will, in agreement with the student, determine a day and time for
the supervision sessions.

7.4 Assessment

• There will be clear and open communication between the organisation and Unisa
regarding the student’s performance. Concerns will be dealt with on a pro-active basis.
Students will therefore be red-flagged in time to ensure monitoring of performance.

• Assessments are done in conjunction between organisations and the Unisa assessors.

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 BSW 4805/301

8. GENERAL:

8.1 Registration as student social worker/learner auxiliary social worker

Registration with the SACSSP as a student social worker or learner social auxiliary
worker is a statutory requirement to continue with practice. Students need to provide
proof of registration at the SACSSP to the Dept. of Social Work prior to placement at
the organisation. The organisation may also request the proof of registration.

8.2 Status of students

Students are regarded as staff members of the Placement organisation.

Responsibilities and duties attached to this position should be acknowledged,
respected and accepted by all parties. For the purposes of learning and growth, it is
required that students are exposed to general office management activities.

8.3 Transport and parking

Students are responsible for their own travelling costs to and from the placement as well
as parking arrangements.

8.4 Safety

Students undertake their practice cognisant of all possible dangers. During the
placement process of each practice year, all students need to sign the Unisa
Indemnity Forms whereby they undertake not to keep the Placement or UNISA
responsible in case of injury or loss.

The organisation should inform students about safety policies and procedures;
harassment policies; and grievance procedures.

Students need to take precautions against any infectious health conditions that they
may be exposed to.

The Placement Organisation undertakes to adhere to all sanitation and hygiene

regulations.

8.5 Remuneration of students

Students do not receive any remuneration from Placements. Stipends or honorariums

are individual arrangements by the Placement organisation and cannot be generally
expected or demanded.

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8.6 Professional indemnity

Students are responsible for the payment of their own professional indemnity, although
it is not a prerequisite for their direct service delivery.

8.7 Confidentiality

Students will take the Oath of Social Worker (Solemn Declaration) that includes
confidentiality during the Placement Process.

8.8 Special needs

Any issues concerning a student’s health or disability will be maintained in confidence

and will not be reported to any third party unless the student gives consent for the
purpose of making special arrangements. The Department expects Placements to
accept students assigned by the Department and to make reasonable arrangements
to meet the needs of the students for their practical training. Students with special
needs should communicate their needs as soon as possible at the commencement of
the fieldwork practice module.

Students with underlying health issues that could endanger them in the time of Covid
19, must voluntarily disclose their co-morbidities and alternative ways of accessing
client systems will be discussed between the organisation, Unisa and the student.

8.9 Grievances

Any form of grievances or feedback on student performance should be directed to the

Dept of Social Work who will ensure that the matter is dealt with in the appropriate
manner.

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 BSW 4805/301

Signed on this day …. Of (month) ……………… 20…. at

…………………………………

…………………………………
…………………………………………..
Organisation Student

…………………………………………..

Name of student

M HOBBS-RUSSELL`
UNISA REPRESENTATIVE NAME SIGNATURE

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