Resolution of Problems
Early recognition and feedback regarding barriers to learning are important. Students, Field Instructors, and Faculty-Field Liaisons (FFL) should communicate their observations and concerns to each other as soon as they are identified. Students, as well as clients, are better served by early recognition of significant performance difficulties. It is important that any personal information be treated confidentially by the practicum participants (student, Field Instructor, relevant agency staff, FFL, and Practicum Office). In recognition of the power dynamics in the field instructor – student relationship, the student or field instructor may wish to utilize other disclosure pathways listed on “How Can I Give Feedback on My Practicum?”
In keeping with the University of Toronto policy on Human Rights, the Mission Statement of the FIFSW, our commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, including accommodations, all students are expected to be treated equally. This applies to the interview and selection process as well as during the practicum course(s). Agency personnel and students are instructed to read and respect the Human Rights Codes, and students who believe they may be subject to harassment or oppression are encouraged to consult immediately with Practicum Office, FIFSW supports, and in particular, with the following specialized resources:
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Director: Shahana.arain@utoronto.ca
Anti-Racism & Cultural Diversity Office (ARCDO): antiracism@utoronto.ca (416) 978-1259
Sexual Violence Prevention and Support Centre: svpscentre@utoronto.ca 416-978-2266 (all locations – leave a voice message for a callback)
FIFSW recognizes the right of the practice setting, ideally after consultation with the agency director/Education Coordinator and the Practicum Office and in writing, to terminate the practicum if the student’s behavior is unacceptable and/or client service/patient care is compromised. (See the University of Toronto Standards of Professional Practice Behaviour for all Health Professional Students).
To complete the practicum course requirement and receive a credit for the practicum, the student must demonstrate social work competencies as per the practicum evaluation tool and complete the negotiated number of practicum hours. When this does not occur, a No Credit (NCR) will be assigned. The Faculty’s Assessment Committee has the authority to review the grade. No Credit (NCR) is the equivalent of a failure (FZ) grade in an academic course and is subject to the same regulations.
Only when a practicum is terminated can an alternate practicum match commence.
1. Notwithstanding the issues above, it is the responsibility of the student and Field Instructor to identify any problematic behavior pattern or major issue in the practicum and document their attempts to address these difficulties in the learning/teaching experience. Common issues presented by student and field instructor include:
- Lengthy orientation that has not been communicated;
- minimal student access to clients, meetings, activities, etc;
- late / little feedback;
- lack of access to student work;
- stated learnings and realities do not match;
- lack of coordination between multiple field instructors.
Most concerns can be dealt with through identification and discussion of the issues. Examples of areas where support can be offered include, a strong orientation, field instructor and student preparation, structure, expectations and transparency and frequent communication. However, should the issues not be resolved through this process, the FFL arranges a Review Meeting with appropriate stakeholders. The Faculty-Field Liaison (FFL) and the Education Coordinator (when there is one) must be contacted when the student and Field Instructor cannot resolve the issue. Appropriate referral to campus and community resources can also occur.
2. In preparation for the Review Meeting:
- The student provides available audio/video recordings, process recordings, or another method of observation of direct and/or indirect practice
- The Field Instructor provides evidence of constructive feedback.
- The FFL reviews materials provided by the Field Instructor and student.
3. In the Review Meeting, the participants will work toward a clear identification of problems in learning and teaching. In addition, The FFL will establish whether:
- regular procedures have been followed in field instruction as specified in the Learning Contract (e.g., number and nature of assignments; field instruction sessions; specific feedback given to the student.)
- a (remediation) ‘plan for success’ is needed, which addresses:
- Specific learning objectives and behavior changes expected of student and / or field instructor;
- Dates for submitting indications of stated behaviour changes and for a subsequent meeting(s).
The FFL will document the process and outcome of the Review Meeting. A copy will be given to the student, Field Instructor, and Assistant Dean, Field Education. An Educational Review may also be recommended at this time.
4. Should the practicum concerns not be resolved through the above procedures, the FFL will notify the Assistant Dean, Field Education that termination of the practicum may be necessary. The Assistant Dean will notify the Dean and/or Associate Dean Academic and convene a meeting with the student and appropriate field and faculty personnel to assess relevant issues. The student may bring a support person to the meeting. The FFL will document the process and outcome of the meeting. A copy will be given to the student, Field Instructor, and Assistant Dean, Field Education.
- Should the issue be student competency:
- The FFL and Assistant Dean will establish conditions to be met before the student can renegotiate a practicum. Students who terminate the practicum will normally defer their next practicum until the next semester. The Practicum Office cannot guarantee when a replacement practicum will be secured. The replacement practicum must comply with SGS registration timelines to commence in September, January, or May and cannot begin outside of those timelines. This may result in additional registration fees.
- Should the issue be Field Instructor competency, the Practicum Office may pre-empt some of these stages as indicated above. With student consent, the Practicum Office will support the field instructor in changing identified behaviours.
5. FIFSW recognizes the right of the practice setting, ideally after consultation with the agency director/Education Coordinator and the Practicum Office and in writing, to terminate the practicum if the student’s behavior is unacceptable and/or client service/patient care is compromised. (See the University of Toronto Standards of Professional Practice Behaviour for all Health Professional Students).
6. At the discretion of the Assistant Dean, Field Education and Associate Dean, Academic, as well as the subsequent Field Instructor, with demonstration of competencies achieved, some student time in the terminated practicum may be credited to the student’s next practicum. (See section on “Grading” for further clarification.)
7. As noted above, in exceptional circumstances, the Practicum Office may pre-empt some of these stages. In keeping with the University of Toronto policy on Human Rights and the Mission Statement of the FIFSW, all students are expected to be treated equally. This applies to the interview and selection process as well as the practicum. Agency personnel and students are instructed to read and respect the Human Rights Codes, and students who believe they may be subject to harassment or oppression are encouraged to discuss arising concerns with their FFL immediately.
Procedures for Dropping the Practicum Course
As with other courses, students have the option to drop the practicum courses SWK 4701 or SWK 4702. When a Course Add/Drop form is submitted to drop a practicum course, no course credit from the terminated practicum will be applied to future practicums.
The student must complete the School of Graduate Studies Course Add/Drop form and submit it to the Practicum Office. The final date for submitting the form without academic penalty can be found at Dates & Deadlines. See the School of Graduate Studies Manual of Grading Policies and Procedures for exact dates.