Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto
Year 2 Practicum
September 2025-April 2026
Name of Practicum Site, Unit or Program:
Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto
Description of the practicum site and student activities:
The Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto is distinguished by its emphasis on the integration of research and practice in both the classroom and its practicum education. As the oldest school of social work in Canada, FIFSW has been on the cutting edge of education, policy, research and practice for more than 100 years.
Recognized as one of the leading social work research Faculties in North America, FIFSW is highly involved in promoting excellence in social work practice and policy development. Teaching in the Faculty is enriched by the internationally recognized research of faculty members which is designed to help governments, agencies and communities effectively address real world challenges.
This is a Year-2 research-focused practicum.
Project description:
Neurodiversity in Social Work Education
This multi-phase study, led by Keri J. West, MSW, and Dr. Izumi Sakamoto, will examine the barriers and facilitators that neurodivergent students and professionals experience in social work programs and transition to practice. It will also assess existing pedagogical approaches and institutional policies to identify practices for fostering an inclusive and affirming environment.
The project will employ a mixed-methods design, combining a survey, in-depth interviews, and focus groups with neurodivergent social work students, faculty, and practitioners. Quantitative data will provide insight into the prevalence of accommodations and support structures, while qualitative findings will offer a deeper understanding of lived experiences, self-advocacy, and institutional responses. Additionally, the research will engage with social work educators to evaluate their knowledge and preparedness to integrate neurodiversity-affirming practices into their teaching and supervision. This multi-perspective approach will generate evidence-based recommendations for improving accessibility and inclusion within social work education and field training. These recommendations will be framed within the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE-ACFTS) accreditation standards. Aligning our findings with these national standards will provide a concrete pathway for policy and curriculum reform in Canadian social work programs.
Students may contribute to:
- The development of a SSHRC Partnership Engage Grant proposal, including identification of and outreach to potential collaborators
- A scoping review focused on neurodiversity in social work education
- The development of a Research Ethics Board protocol submission
- Survey development
- Focus group/interview protocols
- Coordination and administrative functions
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:
For Year 2 Practicums only, 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? Yes.
(If yes, please specify.)
Evidence of substantive contributions to research and/or leadership in the neurodiversity field.
Is this practicum in-person, remote or hybrid?
Primarily remote; occasional in-person focus groups and advisory committee meetings.
Will this practicum involve direct work or a mix of direct and indirect?
Indirect; this is a research-focused practicum. However, this is expected to be a highly collaborative project with deep engagement with neurodivergent communities and stakeholders during the research process.
Number of practicums offered:
2
Field Instructor name and credentials:
Keri J. West, MSW, PhD (Candidate)
Application deadline:
April 17, 2025
Do you require a resume? Or resume and cover letter?
Resume
Accessibility Considerations:
- Will the student have access to a private space for notes or computer use? No, as this is primarily a remote practicum.
- Are there breaks between clients/patients/meetings? To the greatest extent possible, meetings and events will be scheduled in consideration of the student’s needs, including adequate time for rest and reflection.
- Is the practicum considered fast-paced? Generally, no. However, there may be occasions when fast turnaround is required, such as grant application deadlines or communications with project partners.
- Is there a high noise level in the practicum? No, as this is primarily a remote practicum.
- Is the site wheelchair accessible? In-person meetings and events will be held in wheelchair accessible settings.
- What are the physical demands of the practicum? Primarily computer work.
- Are there any other accessibility considerations that potential applicants with disabilities should be aware of? We hope to foster an affirming environment for all involved in this work. Students are encouraged to raise any accessibility concerns with the expectation that they will be gratefully acknowledged and satisfactorily addressed.
If you are interested in this practicum, please send a cover letter and resume to Leah.potash@utoronto.ca by April 17th at 4 PM. Applications will be forwarded on to the site.