Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
Year 2 Practicum
September 2025- April 2026
Name of Practicum Site, Unit or Program:
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
- Specialized Orthopedic and Developmental Rehab (SODR)
- Child Development Program- Communication, learning and behaviour (CLB)
Location: Hybrid Practicum where student will onsite at Holland Bloorview Hospital (150 Kilgour Road) from September to December 2025 and will be working from home virtually from January to April 2026.
Description of the practicum site and student activities:
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital is Canada’s largest children’s rehabilitation hospital focused on improving the lives of kids with disabilities. The student will be working with the inpatient Specialized Orthopedic and Developmental Rehab (SODR) and the outpatient Communication, Learning, and Behaviour (CLB) teams at Holland Bloorview. This is a rotational practicum where the student will work the first half of their practicum in SODR and the second half of their practicum in CLB.
The SODR team is an inpatient program that provides care to clients from birth to age 18 with a variety of musculoskeletal, developmental or neuromotor conditions. Children and youth admitted to the SODR team have significant functional mobility and movement impairment related to the musculoskeletal system. This program is set up to help families acquire the skills and support services they need to care for their children who transition to life in the community.
The CLB team is an outpatient program that assesses children who are suspected of having a developmental disorder such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and display complex and challenging behaviour. Interdisciplinary diagnostic services are provided depending on the child’s needs. Clients are assessed up to and including the age of 18. After a child is diagnosed with ASD, the Holland Bloorview team refers the child to community-based organizations to receive services locally.
The student will work closely with the CLB and SODR social worker to support children with disabilities and their parents. Responsibilities include psychosocial assessment, psychoeducation, supportive counselling, information on community resources (e.g. therapy, parent supports, daycare, respite, recreation, and government funding), chairing family team meetings, and facilitating groups for parents and teens. Students will also be involved in screening phone calls with families to help parents/caregivers prepare for their child’s ASD assessment at Holland Bloorview. The social worker provides a hybrid of in person and virtual care to families via phone and video (zoom).
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:
Students are required to have up-to-date immunizations.
The health status of students and faculty from an educational institution within the Province of Ontario will not be under the supervision of Holland Bloorview except for first aid. The educational institution will ensure that all students and faculty meet the following health criteria:
▪ Be screened for measles, mumps, rubella, and chicken pox (Varicella) and in the case of nursing students, Hepatitis B;
▪ Complete a two-step baseline tuberculosis test (And please note, where positive tests are determined a negative CXR (Chest X-ray) must be accompanied with the test results and the results shall be sent to the attention of the Student Coordinator, Teaching and Learning);
NOTE: you will sign a “Declaration” stating your immunizations are up-to-date and you can show proof if asked.
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.)
No
Is this practicum in-person, remote or hybrid?
Hybrid. Student must be comfortable working from home and traveling to Holland Bloorview Hospital.
Will this practicum involve direct work or a mix of direct and indirect?
Direct work
Number of practicums offered:
1
Field Instructor name and credentials:
Chandni Desai, MSW, RSW
Tope Akinyimide, MSW, RSW
Application deadline: March 31, 2025
Do you require a resume? Or resume and cover letter?
Resume and cover letter
Accessibility Considerations:
- Will the student have access to a private space for notes or computer use? Yes
- Are there breaks between clients/patients/meetings? Yes
- Is the practicum considered fast-paced? Fast
- Is there a high noise level in the practicum? Medium
- Is the site wheelchair accessible? Yes
- What are the physical demands of the practicum? None
- Are there any other accessibility considerations that potential applicants with disabilities should be aware of? None
To apply for this practicum, please send a cover letter and resume to miri.ben.dat@utoronto.ca by 4pm on March 31, 2025. Applications will be sent to the site.