Durham District School Board
Year 2 Practicum
September 2025 – April 2026
Name of Practicum Site, Unit or Program:
Durham District School Board
Location:
400 Taunton Road East, Whitby, Ontario, L1R 2K6
Description of the practicum site and student activities:
The DDSB Social Work team is committed to providing services that are informed by Anti-Black Racism, Anti-Racism, Anti-Indigenous, Anti-Oppressive, 2SLGBTQIA+ and questioning affirming practices, as well as Critical Social Work pedology. Our practice approach is informed by the students, families, and communities that we work with. Together we work towards addressing problems, barriers and struggles that impact students’ social emotional wellbeing and success in school environments. Our placement will provide students with an opportunity to co-facilitate student groups, work with families and students to improve school engagement and develop health coping skills, evaluate programing, and provide opportunities to engaging in reflexive social work practice, as well as exposure to adhering to the social work code of ethics whilst also adhering to the District’s expectations. Given our commitments to practicing from an Anti-Racist and Anti-Oppressive lens, students considering this placement should have a strong understanding of these theories and willing to engage in a process of unlearning taken for granted practices that maintain, promote and enable oppression.
Practicum Requirements:
(Click on all the boxes that apply.)
☐ Immunizations per PHA Guidelines
☐ N95 Respirator/Mask Fitting
☐ Covid Vaccinations
☐ Influenza Vaccination (Flu shot)
☒ Police Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check
☒ Driver’s License
☒ Use of Own Car
☐ Travel by public transportation between home visits, or satellite offices, or community meetings, etc.
☐ Comfort working with the population being served
☐ Comprehensive report writing and documentation
☐ Lived experience/Current member of the community being served
☐ Evening attendance
☐ Weekend attendance
☐ Changing shift attendance
☐ Language (specify in field below)
Other requirements:
Please select Fields(s) of Study:
(click on all boxes that apply.)
☒ Children and their Families
☐ Social Justice and Diversity
☒ Mental Health and Health
☐ Social Work in Gerontology
☐ Human Services Management & Leadership
Does your practicum require any previous experience?
(If yes, please specify.)
Experience in the social service field preferred but not needed.
Is this practicum in-person, remote or hybrid?
In-Person and in rare occasions remote work.
Will this practicum involve direct work or a mix of direct and indirect?
Mix of direct and indirect practice.
Number of practicums offered:
2 spots available and said spots are open to all 4 MOU partner schools.
Field Instructor name and credentials:
Herberth Canas MSW, RSW
Emily Lam MSW, RSW
Application deadline:
April 1st, 2025
Do you require a resume? Or resume and cover letter?
Yes, both a resume and cover letter. All resumes will be reviewed, and strong applicants will be contacted for an interview.
Accessibility Considerations:
- Will the student have access to a private space for notes or computer use? Yes
- Are there breaks between clients/patients/meetings? Sometimes
- Is the practicum considered fast-paced? Medium
- Is there a high noise level in the practicum? Medium
- Is the site wheelchair accessible? Yes
- What are the physical demands of the practicum? A fair bit of ambulating within sites to connect with other staff/students
- Are there any other accessibility considerations that potential applicants with disabilities should be aware of? Although the schools are accessible, due the materials and designed used in a pre-accessibility policy time, the sites might require a bit more time and effort to navigate
If you are interested in this practicum, please send a cover letter and resume to miri.ben.dat@utoronto.ca by 4pm on April 1st, 2025. Applications will be forwarded on to the site.
Return to Practicum 2 Off-PAS Opportunities, 2025 – 2026