“Partnerships between the academy and community organisations are fundamental to the delivery of social work education.” (Egan, 2019, 1)

The RMIT Social Work Field Education Hub is a community of practice for staff, students and agencies to enhance learning, practice and research through the sharing knowledge and resources as well though collaborative advocacy for social justice and human rights.

RMIT is an ideal partner for supporting social work agencies through field education and academic consultation and the Hub is a place where agents of change can continue to build a social work presence in the broader community. The Hub also provides a launching point for those starting their journey as a student, partner agency or field educator and keeps those already working with us informed and empowered.

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WIL students in Social Work

Tangentyere Council student placements

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India Field Education student testimonials

India Placement Testimonials

Sweltering Cities

In 2024, Sweltering Cities had the privilege of hosting four Social Work students from RMIT, two in the first half of the year and two in the second. Their perspectives have made us think deeper about our understanding of how extreme heat affects both individuals and whole communities. As a national health NGO, we advocate for more livable, equitable, and sustainable cities. We work directly with people living in hot suburbs and homes to explore how extreme heat is impacting people’s lives and health and campaign for solutions to increase resilience to the impacts of extreme heat.

The insights from the Social Work students have been a strong reminder of how important it is for us to focus on the social impacts of extreme heat. Our work looks at heat from three key angles: climate change, inequality, and health. The students have shared important perspectives on how language barriers, cultural practices, and levels of social support influence how different people respond to extreme heat.

These insights have reinforced the importance of ensuring our advocacy is responsive to the specific behaviours and practices of communities. We’re incredibly grateful for the students’ contributions and the way they’ve helped strengthen our work.

Sophie Emder

Knox Infolink

When starting placement, my primary goal was to apply the skills and frameworks that I have been taught in class since my degree started. I expected that Knox Infolink would be a good agency to being practicing these skills, and the agency has exceeded this expectation. The experiences I have had on placement so far have been ones I could not have predicted, but from them I have learnt that nothing can be predicted, which makes each day interesting and different to the last. I have learnt the importance of supervision and debriefing, as well as self-care very early on, and have been very well supported by those from the agency and university during any challenges I have encountered. My colleagues at the agency – staff, peer(s) and volunteers are lovely and supportive of my learning journey. I have learnt a lot from the people I have worked with and the importance of working alongside others to achieve the best possible outcomes for those accessing the services we provide. The dynamic of students, staff and volunteers allows for knowledge from many walks of life, and this agency – though small – is bursting with knowledge and passion to help those in need of assistance. Personally, I have begun to grow my professional identity and develop an idea of the social worker I hope to be after completing my studies. During the remainder of placement, I hope to continue to develop my professional skills and make a difference to the people who I work with. My overall career goal is to advocate for change for those in society who experience disadvantage and injustice. I aspire to help those who society typically turn their back on, as I believe that everybody deserves the same help as anyone else, no matter what their circumstances may be. My future aspirations of working in a fast-paced ‘quick change’ settings have been strengthened by completing placement with Knox Infolink, and I find comfort in knowing that social work is the right career for me based on my experiences so far.
I thank Knox Infolink for being such a great first placement and for all the support they have provided towards my learning and my journey to becoming a social worker. My experience at Knox Infolink has been great, and I recommend it to anyone preparing to undertake Field Education in the upcoming years.

Amelia – Field Education 1 student

I have had the privilege of completing my first placement at Knox Infolink in Boronia which is a CISVIC agency providing emergency relief and short-term case management to individuals and families in need within the Knox area. The agency’s emergency relief offers food and household goods along with advocacy initiatives such as the Energy Assistance Program which helps community members secure the best utility offers.

During my time at Knox Infolink, I have learnt how to quickly establish rapport with community members, assess their needs and provide specialised support. This has helped me gain confidence in engaging with a wide range of service users which is helping me to navigate different situations with empathy and compassion. One of the most treasured aspects of the agency is their free Community Breakfast Program which has had a profound impact of many long-term guests. I have found it extremely heartwarming and inspiring to see the deep connections and sense of hope this program has brought to many over the years. It is also wonderful to see the impact which I am making by simply chatting with people over a coffee or doughnut in the morning.

The team at Knox Infolink are also nothing short of exceptional! I constantly feel supported by the knowledgeable volunteers, managers and case managers who provide a welcoming environment. For anyone beginning their social work journey, especially if you have no experience in the field, this is the perfect place. The agency gives countless opportunities for you to grow personally and professionally. It has helped me gain a deeper understanding of the challenges people within Knox experience which has made me more passionate about making a difference and reaffirmed that this is the work for me.

Alicia – Field Education 1 student