Stanley College Bachelor of Community Service Fieldwork Placement

Welcome

Stanley College is a multiple award-winning institution that focuses on Higher Education as well as Vocational training. Stanley College’s Bachelor of Community Services program provides comprehensive and detailed coverage on community services. The course provides students with knowledge, critical reasoning skills and abilities that prepare them for careers in a wide range of community services sector areas.

The Stanley College Bachelor of Community Services course’s fieldwork placement is an important aspect of the institutions Work Integrated Learning (WIL) framework. Through WIL, the course curriculum integrates learning aspects that take place in actual community services contexts. Partnering with us gives your organization access to enthusiastic, well-trained potential employees, whiles improving your visibility and networks within the community services sector. This collaboration will also go a long way to enable you to contribute to social and professional development through the training of the next generation of community services professionals.

Ready to explore this opportunity?

Contact our Industry Engagement Lead to discuss how this partnership can benefit your organization and learn about our current pool of talented community services students who are eagerly looking for ways to contribute to the development of the community services sector.

Community Services Fieldwork Placement Overview

Apart from our commitment to training community services professionals who are in tune with the practical aspects of the profession, Community Workers Australia (CWA) also prescribes fieldwork placements as part of students’ education because it enables them to experience the frontline tasks of a community worker, thereby providing an important avenue for the development of the practical skills needed in the workplace.

Fieldwork Placement Framework

Total Duration:
400 hours, to be completed in two placements with two different agencies.
Weekly Hours:
Minimum number of days, two days per week. Maximum number of days, five days per week depending on the student availability and organizational capacity. Fieldwork placement must occur during normal agency working hours.
Support Provided:
Student will receive ongoing support and guidance from dedicated Fieldwork Placement Supervisors/Liaison Officers as well as Agency Supervisors. We have a committed Fieldwork Placement Coordinator who oversees all the operational aspects of the fieldwork placements.

Student Background: A good number of our students have come to the Bachelor of Community Services program after completing the Diploma of Community Services course and have considerable experience in the sector. There is a second group of students who will be completing their second fieldwork placement haven already undertaken their first fieldwork placements. Some students will be looking for an opportunity for their first practical experience.

Benefits to the Host Organization:

As a host organization you will:

Have access to a pool of human resources who possess contemporary knowledge, and the skills required to excel in the community services sector.
Have an opportunity to provide existing staff mentorship and coaching opportunities thereby enhancing their job satisfaction.
Have an opportunity to improve your visibility and networks within the community services sector.
Have an opportunity to help train the next generation of community services professionals.

Host Agency Requirements and Responsibilities

In line with CWA guidelines, all host organizations must meet the following criteria

Areas of focus

The fieldwork placement requires students to gain practical experience in the following areas:

individual and group assessment
early intervention
casework
case management
client services
program planning and development
family welfare and support work
advocacy and support work
community development work
community work
social welfare work

Students can also be involved in the following non community welfare related activities including those listed below, however, they cannot make up more than 5% of the placement hours.

Administrative duties
Food delivery
Personal care activities
Domestic duties such as cleaning
Respite
Childcare
Entertaining clients
Recreational or leisure activities

1. Host Agency Supervisor Qualification:

Students on fieldwork placements must be supervised by persons with an educational qualification in welfare or community work related discipline that is equivalent or higher than a Bachelor of Community Services. Agency supervisors must also have a minimum of three years practical experience in community services settings, two of which must have been acquired after the qualifying qualification.

2. Written Agreement:

Fieldwork placement agreements will be prepared and will include the tasks, roles and responsibilities of students. The agreements will be signed at the beginning of the placement and at the end by the student, the Agency Supervisor and/or the Task Supervisor if applicable as well as the Fieldwork Placement Supervisor or Liaison

3. Host Agency Capacity:

Each qualified agency supervisor can supervise up to three students under direct supervision at the same time. An agency supervisor can only supervise more than three students if the supervisor is a designated student supervisor or if students are assigned a qualified task supervisor. A Task Supervisor must have a minimum of Certificate IV qualification in community-work related discipline and at least three years of practical experience in community services settings.

4. Fieldwork Placement Liaisons and Host Agency Supervisor Feedback:

As part of the fieldwork placement supervision, students will receive three supervision visits by a Fieldwork Placement Supervisor during which a short meeting will be held between the Fieldwork Placement Supervisor, the student and the Agency Supervisor. Agency Supervisors can give direct feedback on students’ progress during this meeting. Agency supervisors will also complete two feedback forms during the fieldwork placement period.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I host more than one student?

Yes, if your organisation can provide appropriate supervision.

Q: What if the internship isn't working out?

Contact the College immediately to discuss support or an early termination process.

Q: Can I hire the intern after the internship?

Yes! Many hosts go on to hire their interns, but it is not a requirement.

Q: Are students covered by insurance during the internship?

Yes. Students are fully covered by a Voluntary Workers Insurance. A copy of the Certificate of Currency will be supplied to host agencies.

Q: What if we need to end the internship early?

Contact the College as soon as possible. Internships can be terminated early in cases of misconduct, lack of fit, or unforeseen circumstances, but this should be handled professionally and with proper communication.

Q: Are we allowed to give the intern a stipend or travel allowance?

While the internship is unpaid by default, hosts may offer non-salary benefits (e.g., travel or meal allowance) as a gesture of goodwill, but this is not required.

Q: What if the intern underperforms or lacks necessary skills?

The internship is a learning experience, and some guidance and support is expected. However, if serious concerns arise, the College will assist with coaching the intern or, if needed, finding a replacement.

Register your Interest

69 Outram Street West Perth, WA 6005
+61 8 6371 9996

Stanley College acknowledges that its campuses are situated on Noongar land. We pay respect to the Wadjuk people, their Elders, past, present, and emerging, who remain the spiritual and cultural custodians of the land.

CRICOS Provider Code: 03047E | RTO Code: 51973 | TEQSA Provider No: PRV14050

Bachelor of Community Services Field Work Placement Cricos course code: 112414B