Agency Requirement on Student workers

1. Agency Requirement on Student workers Roles, Work Attitudes & Office Disciplines Lok POON Fieldwork Supervisor, The University of Hong Kong 21 May 2011

2. Sharing on Good & Less Good practices for • Mentally prepared for experiential learning in real social work situations • Meeting expectations of Agency supervisor as well • win-win situations (Clients/ Agency & you/ University) • Principal advices, but actual requirements are somewhat varied depending on agency to agency Sharing Objectives

3. Meeting your learning requirements & interests Social Work Staff Source: Ms. Margaret Suen, Supervisor, MSSU, Caritas Medical Centre Agency University Social Work Student Agency Placement: Win-Win Situations Meeting agency requirements and client needs

4. Source: Ms. Margaret Suen, Supervisor, MSSU, Caritas Medical Centre • Helping hands • Innovation & energy • Potentially new blood • Supervision & back up • Quality of Service Agency perspective: Incentives vs. Extra responsibilities

5. Apart from the role of student social worker, you are also part of the Agency team, on behalf of both HKU and Agency • Active & Humble Leaner: open to learn new things, dare to ask and try • Team Player: taking initiative to communicate with staff, taking up relevant duties (e.g. duty worker, outreaching)and joining team meetings if time allows • Partner or Supporter to the Agency Placement Roles

6. Anticipate not only learning opportunities, but also challenges and unexpected circumstances • Observe work ethics and take reference from SWRB code of ethics • Service Users’ interests come first, than your own interests • Creativity is fine. But do consult if possibly risking service users to any extent Work Attitudes

7. Making minor mistake is acceptable, but hiding mistake is unethical & unacceptable • Flexible on shared workstation • Treasure and enjoy every chance to learn by helping out Work Attitudes

8. Understand and respect the Agency rules, cultures, practices & limitations • Be Punctual and Accountable (e.g. clock in-outs, outside work, duty roster, SL) • Decent dress code, appropriate to work setting (e.g. no mini skirt, shorts & sandals) • Fit into daily work practice when required(e.g. budget report, case recording) Office Disciplines

9. Doing what Agency/ client need, more than what you desire to do • Take up own responsibility & leadership, though co-working with a helpful staff team • Take more initiatives & time to deliver direct services and understand client needs by reaching out and contacting clients proactively • Discuss with Agency in advance what kind of resources (e.g. manpower, finance) you require • Culturally sensitive to client limitations, cultural & religious taboos (e.g. ethnic minorities) • Maintain professional boundary (e.g. personal mobile) Tips for Work Planning & Implementation

10. Beware of confidential information (e.g. memory stick) • Plan/ consider your work sustainability and properly hand over your work for possible follow up upon completion • Be reflective on the practical comments given by agency supervisor during mid-E and final-E. Sometimes, agency supervisors tend to value your work Outcomes more than your learning Process (while fieldwork supervisor may show more understanding on your process/ efforts made) • Treasure the chance to accumulate constructive life experiences as well Tips for Work Planning & Implementation

11. Thank You Source: Ms. Margaret Suen, Supervisor, MSSU, Caritas Medical Centre Q & A!? Wishing you all fruitful & enjoyable placement journey!

12. Acknowlegement: The content of presentation was extracted from the orientation training 2010 conducted by Ms. Margaret Suen, Supervisor of Medical Social Service Unit, Caritas Medical Centre. Thank you!