As fieldwork placement is a significant component in social work training and the instructor/student ratio is a main factor affecting the quality of social work graduates, it was agreed at the 152^nd meeting of the Advisory Committee on Social Work Training and Manpower Planning (ACSWTMP) held on 12.4.97 to form a working group with Ms Kay KU of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) as convenor and representatives from the Hong Kong Social Workers' Association (HKSWA), Training Institutions (TIs), and Social Welfare Department (SWD) as members to collect and compile data on fieldwork instruction in local social work training programmes at both degree and diploma level and then propose a "standard" ratio/requirement. The Working Group on Social Work Fieldwork Placement (the Working Group) with members listed at Appendix I was thus formed. Taking into account the views of ACSWTMP members and hoping to contribute more on the issue, the Working Group agreed on the terms of reference at Appendix II. The Working Group had three meetings for discussion on related issued based on the terms of reference. The ACSWTMP endorsed this Report on 6.11.1998 and decided that this Report be distributed to TIs and other organisations concerned.

2. There are different modes of employment of fieldwork instructors. Besides, each TI, based on its financial resources, number of students and mode of placement, has set out its own requirement of fieldwork instructors regarding the number of working days, number of students being supervised and job duties.

3. Making reference to the views shared among Non-Governmental Organization staff and TI representatives at a meeting on fieldwork instruction organized by the HKCSS, the Working Group has the following recommendations on the standard of fieldwork instruction:

1. Direct Student Contact Hours:

Type of Fieldwork Placement	Minimum Direct Student Contact Hours Per Student Per Week
Concurrent
2 days per week	1.5
3 days per week	1.5 – 2.0
Block
4 or 5 days per week	2.0 – 2.5

2. Qualification and working Experience of Fieldwork Instructors

Course	Minimum Qualification and Experience
Degree	a social work degree plus
	3 years experience
	be registered social workers or equivalent
	(an advanced social work degree preferred)
Diploma	asocial work degree plus
	3 years experience
	be registered social workers or equivalent

3. Mode of Employment

To ensure that the fieldwork instructors have sufficient time and commitment to offer adequate supervision to students and maintain reasonable communication with TIs and placement units, the mode of employment should aim at at least half-time basis, i.e. lessening the sessional mode as much as possible. In the long-run, number of full-time staff performing fieldwork instruction duties should be increased and preferably most lecturers should be encouraged to take up some activities on fieldwork instruction.

4. Placement-related and Non-placement-related Duties

   In addition to regular direct contacts with placements students, fieldwork instructors’ placement-related duties should include reading students’ written work, listening to or watching tapes of students’ intervention sessions, selecting reference material, selecting reading assignments for students, keeping up-to-date reference material, attending meetings/staff meetings, writing reports, liaising with agencies, organising briefing sessions and orientation visits for students, participating in working groups on specific task related to the developing in fieldwork instruction such as revision of guidelines and relevant administrative work. All these functions are essential for quality fieldwork instruction, therefore, the performance of such functions should be counted as regular job duties in the calculation of employment hours. Besides, some TIs may require their fieldwork instructors to carry out other non-placement-related duties which include research studies, supervising MSW students’ projects/dissertations, course/tutorial/skill laboratory teaching, administrative work, personal tutorial sessions with students, student guidance etc. In view of the heavy workload of fieldwork instructors, ample resources have to be deployed to facilitate the instructors in performing their duties.

1. TIs

1. To include the latest development in welfare policy in the curriculum before students begin their fieldwork placement.
2. To arrange pre-placement orientation to students.
3. To arrange regular gatherings for students to share among themselves their feelings and experience in fieldwork placement.
4. To assign a teaching staff as personal tutor to each student for more support on both their study and personal affairs.
5. To provide adequate training and support to fieldwork instructors in the sessional mode.
6. To devise an effective appraisal system to monitor the quality of fieldwork instruction.

2. Placement Units/Agencies

1. To identify more suitable placement opportunities and to recognize the provision of fieldwork placement as making contributions to the promotion of the profession.
2. To provide more meaningful learning opportunities during fieldwork placement to enhance students' professional development.
3. To advocate a collegial concept between staff and placement students.

3. Communication Between TIs and Placement Units/Agencies

1. TIs to issue guidelines/handbook on fieldwork placements to placement units to ensure that they know their requirements on students' performance.
2. Fieldwork instructors to conduct fieldwork supervision in placement units as far as possible to review the students' performance and progress.
3. Oi/cs of placement units to initiate and be frank to give feedback to fieldwork instructors on the performance of students, especially for the below-standard cases.
4. Fieldwork agencies to deploy a staff member specifically for fieldwork co-ordination.

FUNDING AND RESOURCES ISSUES