BSW Post Degree Applying for Placement Orientation 2010-2011

1. :: School of Social Work BSW Post Degree Applying for Placement Orientation2010-2011

2. Requirements • All BSW students must complete a minimum 700 hour placement at the placement site • Placement will begin in September OR January • If completing your placement over 8 months the time to complete all hours are very tight – PLAN HOURS ACCORDINGLY

3. Placement Process • Post Degree students complete placement 2-5 days a week (MUST DO FULL DAYS) • Minimum of 14 hours a week and must be negotiated with the placement site • Evening/Weekend placements are possible but unlikely (issues of inadequate supervision) • Post Degree students begin in September OR January • All core social work courses must be completed in order to be eligible for placement: • 1010, 2030, 2050, 3041, 3060, 3070 & 3110 • SOWK 4020 may be completed before the beginning of placement orconcurrently with placement

4. Placement Process • Collaboration between field office and student is essential • Research potential placement sites • Keep in constant contact with coordinator • All placements must be confirmed by the Field Office

5. BSW Practicum Road Map • Site Search • Selection of top 4 placement choices • Application submitted for Fall : March 1st, 2010 • Interview with Placement site • Confirmation of Placement

6. Agency Search • Online Database • Internet Sites • 211 Toronto • Advising Appointment

7. Choosing Possible Placement Sites • Interests • Skill development • Direct practice vs other…….? • Supervision • Non social work field instructors • Other demands • Work Placements

8. Work Placement Option • Criteria to be met • Contact field education coordinator to discuss • Proposal to be submitted at least 3 months before the start of placement • All proposals must be approved by Manager of Field Education • Includes: proposal, information about supervisor (different from current job supervisor, and letter from agency stating # of full days at placement with different supervisor)

9. Resumes/Cover Letter • Work and Volunteer History • Education • Introduce yourself • What are you looking for/What do you have to offer • Resume Resources posted on website: http://www.yorku.ca/laps/sowk/practicum/ • Resume Writing Workshop – Friday, January 22, 2010 – 2:00PM – 4:00PM in Kinsmen 1002

10. Interviews • Professional • Ask questions • Be prepared to discuss what you can offer • Be clear about what you are looking for in a placement (learning goals) • Know the agency and programs – do RESEARCH on the agency • INTERVIEW WORKSHOP: Friday, March 19, 2010 – 2:00PM – 4:00PM in Kinsmen 1002

11. Police Checks/Immunizations • Police check should initiated in the spring (can take up to 2 - 3 months) • Inquire about other requirements for placement

12. Confirmation of Placement • Confirmation package • Enrollment 4000/4001- you will be granted permission once placement is confirmed. You are responsible for contacting the Field Office if you were not granted permission and enrolling in the course • Failure to enrol in the practicum courses may result in you having to re-do your placement again • Beginning Placement Orientation - date TBA (first week of school in September or January) • Faculty Advisor • Integrative Seminar Dates (4 sessions @ 2 hours each)

13. Field Contacts • Maureen Boettcher – Manager, Field Education mobe@yorku.ca 416-736-2100 ext. 39488 • Zalina Mohamad – Assistant Field Education Coordinator zalinam@yorku.ca 416-736-2100 ext. 66320 • Esther Ng – Practicum Office Assistant eng@atkinson.yorku.ca 416-736-2100 ext. 20662

14. Registering on the Databasevia Website Open Internet Browser On Address Line Type: http://www.yorku.ca/laps/sowk/practicum/

15. Registering on the Databasevia Website Click on “Database Sign In”

16. Registering on the Databasevia Website You will be directed to the SOWK Online Application Page. Select “Students”

17. Registering on the Databasevia Website This will bring you to the SOWK Online Application –Students Page. • Click on “Register new account” for 1st time users (must have York U email account to register) • OR enter your student ID & password as well • Select MSW or BSW Student (if you have already registered) • In order to do this you will need to enter your student number and create a password for future use.

18. Registering on the Database via Website - Agency Search Once you login you will be directed to this screen. Click on “Agency Search” to research possible placement sites. This will bring you to the following page.

19. Registering on the Database via Website Agency Search Here you will be able to go through and make selections and view information on possible Agency’s. When your Agency Search is complete, continue by Clicking on Placement Request to begin theapplication process.

20. Using the Database to Search for Placement Sites • Please do not contact agencies in the database until you have consulted with the field office. • Please do not contact major Toronto Hospitals • Please do not contact any CAS (Children’s Aid Society) • Please feel free to contact new agencies on your own but first inform the field office about who you are contacting

21. Registering on the Database via Website – Placement Request Complete Application. Please ensure that you have inputted your emergency contact and employer contact information. If any of your contact information is wrong it must be updated on the Registrar’s website: http://www.registrar.yorku.ca/

22. Registering on the Database via Website – Placement Request Please ensure that you choose 4 distinctly different agencies (i.e., do not choose more than one location of the same agency as separate choices). If Agency does not exist, click on Other Agency and complete requested information. SUBMIT Attach cover letter and resume as one file. Save it as First Name LAST NAME 2010.doc as outlined online. You MUST submit your resume and cover letter at the time of your application. Click SUBMIT.

23. Search tips in database: ‘Learning Opportunities’ • Searching by location will generate fewer hits because of subjective regional language (i.e. GTA is can also be Mississauga) • Take a look at the posted links/websites to get an idea of what the place is about • The Search engine is very precise. Be sure to be exact in your spelling • Use 211toronto.com first – then refer to the database

24. Registering on the Databasevia Website – Other Information • Please ensure that you have all documentation completed, for example resume and cover letter (in one document), before submitting your application. No editing privileges are permitted, therefore if you have omitted any details to your application, you will have to start over and complete it again. • Please save your cover letter and resume (in one document) as: First Name LAST NAME 2010.doc • Please note that the “SUBMIT” button will disappear from the on-line database application once the deadline date has passed.