Code of Practice - Practical Placements

Content

Definitions
Responsibilities of the Student
Responsibilities of the Supervisor
Responsibilities of the Placement Co-ordinator & University

The Code of Practice- Practical Placements sets out the current policies and practices relating to the workplace experience and other practical training requirements which comprise the whole or part of subjects offered at the University of Wollongong. Its purpose is to make clear what is expected from students, supervisors and the University, and to minimise difficulties caused by misunderstanding or poor communication. The Code does NOT apply in its entirety to placements or work experience, such as professional experience requirements not formally assessed, but which students must complete before becoming eligible for the award of a degree. However, academic units responsible for such placements or experience should apply those parts of the code that are appropriate.

A practical placement is a learning experience which enables students to develop their knowledge and skills. Where students have a disability or personal difficulty which may affect their capacity to undertake the placement, the University will discuss the nature of the problem, but where it cannot be accommodated the University will assist the student in exploring alternatives.

Definitions

In this Code of Practice:

• 'placement' includes any element of work, observation and experience in a workplace outside the University which is a requirement of any [course or] subject offered by the University;
• 'placement co-ordinator' means the member of the staff of the University responsible for supervision of the experience or placement;
• 'supervisor' means the person in the workplace responsible for the direction of the student during the placement;
• 'client' means any person or persons to whom a service is being provided.

Responsibilities of the Student

Students will:

• behave ethically and in a manner which upholds the good name of the University of Wollongong;
• adhere to the professional ethics and codes of conduct appropriate to their discipline;
• be familiar with the goals and requirements of the practicum;
• sign a document acknowledging that they have read and agreed with the Code of Practice-Practical Placements;
• advise the placement co-ordinator of any fact which may affect their capacity to undertake the placement, such as a disability or personal difficulty. Students should be aware that the Disability Liaison Officer is legally obliged to disclose to the Placements Co-ordinator any disability that could place the student or the public at risk during a placement;
• keep information gained about clients from any sources in strictest confidence;
• actively participate in the management of their placement program;
• contact placement site prior to their first day on placement and introduce themselves to the supervisor;
• consult with supervisor with regard to accommodation and arrange own accommodation and travel. Students must meet the costs of these arrangements;
• ensure that all documentation on progress is made available to supervisors on progressive placement sites;
• provide any assessment forms and make them available to supervisors as necessary;
• ensure that the work or function is completed in a timely manner to satisfy assessment requirements of the university and supervisors;
• be punctual and inform their supervisor and Department if they will be late or cannot attend the placement for any reason;
• work the hours specified by the supervisor (or by a specialist if the student has a disability). If there is no specific agreement, students will work the normal hours of other staff in that workplace. Where more than 8 hours is worked on any one day, students are entitled to take time in lieu for the additional time, at a time negotiated with the supervisor;
• provide a medical certificate for absences of 2 or more days to the supervisor and the Department;
• report all absences to the Placement Coordinator. If significant absence affects progress of the student, then additional time on the placement may be required;
• adhere to policies and procedures of the placement site;
• use resources available at the placement site for the purposes they are intended;
• take responsibility for one's own health status and, if necessary, take appropriate action/care to protect the well being of clients.

Responsibilities of the Supervisor

The supervisor will:

• ensure that students read the Code of Practice-Practical Placements;
• act as a role model introducing students to acceptable professional behaviour;
• adopt the role of helper and facilitator of learning;
• provide a positive learning environment;
• provide a variety of learning experiences in keeping with the placement requirements;
• clarify aims and expected outcomes of the placement with the student;
• assist the student in identifying resources;
• arrange regular and sufficient interviews with the student to discuss progress or difficulties;
• where necessary, investigate accommodation options for students and assist them in arranging accommodation and travel;
• arrange and provide a safe work environment;
• arrange and provide adequate work space;
• orient students on the first day of the placement to reduce the student's anxiety about working in an unfamiliar environment;
• make adequate observations of the student's work and provide continuing feedback, both verbal and written, to ensure learning progress. Where appropriate, documents provided by the University should be used for this purpose;
• report on student progress using documentation provided and notify the Placement Coordinator as soon it becomes apparent that the student is having difficulties meeting the placement objectives;
• evaluate the supervision process with students.

Responsibilities of the Placement Co-ordinator & University

The Placement Coordinator will:

• organise and plan the placement program with students and supervisors and negotiate on aspects of student progress and assessment;
• facilitate placement contracts with sites where necessary or desired;
• be in regular contact with placement sites and approve each site as appropriate;
• be accessible by telephone for communication on placement issues;
• if necessary, mediate between supervisors and students on placement issues;
• provide information on placement requirements. This may be in the form of a 'Supervisor's Practical Placement Manual' and a 'Student Practical Placement Manual' or other written guidelines;
• evaluate the placement component and report to the appropriate Faculty or Departmental Committee of the University on progress and developments;
• report to the University on any relevant assessment of students in this subject where the practicum is an assessable component of the course;

The University will:

• insure students to cover them against injury while on practical placement;
• advise students enrolled for programs in Health of the State Government requirement for criminal record checks to be conducted by the New South Wales Police Service prior to any clinical, practical or employment placement in the New South Wales Health Care System;
• advise students enrolled for programs in Education of the State Government requirement for criminal record checks to be conducted by the New South Wales Police Service on all prospective employees/individuals who will access schools on a regular basis once eligible for employment.

Last revised: February 8, 2006
Comments & Questions to Secretariat