Module 3 – Preparing for placement
This module covers the following components that students need to consider in preparation for the placement experience:
- Readiness for placement
- Communication requirements
- Pre-requisite courses
- Field Education information systems
- Pre-placement tasks
- Immunisation requirements & agency compliance requirements
- Equity considerations & reasonable adjustments
- Money and insurance
This section includes both administrative requirements as well as requirements from the AASW related to professional expectations and conduct.
Before commencing placement, all students are required to:
- check their eligibility to enrol into Field Education
- enrol in Field Education via Enrolment Online
- read the GUSS WIL Field Education newsletters and information emails
- attend scheduled briefing sessions, communicated via the newsletter and Canvas program pages
- complete the Social Work Field Education Modules on the BH105, BH106 or MC150 program Canvas site
- complete the Personal Planning Form (PPF) via Smartsheet and provide a current CV (resume) via the PPF
- complete a current National Police Check and a Victorian Working with Children Check (WWCC) and upload to InPlace
- complete any agency or placement specific requirements such as an international police check, fit testing, NDIS check or the RMIT Social Work Immunisation Declaration form if immunisation is required. Students can find more information about this in their Canvas modules
RMIT Social Work reserves the right to determine whether a student is ready to undertake placement, regardless of whether the student is enrolled in Field Education. Students may not be considered 'ready' for placement if:
- they have been allocated a placement twice but has not received a confirmed placement offer after they have completed interviews
- there are concerns related to the student’s wellbeing; and/or
- the prerequisite courses or pre-placement tasks have not been completed
There are a range of communication processes that students must become familiar with in order to stay informed. These include Canvas program announcements, scheduled briefing sessions, newsletters and other email communications.
All students who are enrolled in Field Education will be subscribed to the Social Work Field Education Newsletter.
Students will receive newsletters in the semester before they commence placement. For example, if you are enrolled in Field Education for Semester 2, you will begin receiving the newsletter in Semester 1.
Newsletter content will include:
- key dates and timelines
- information about key processes and required tasks
- dates of briefings and 'drop-in' sessions
- agency profiles
- support services
- any changes to conditions impacting on placements
| Date* | Milestone |
| 9.9.24 | Newsletter #1 |
| 9.9.24 | Personal Planning Form (PPF) becomes available via Smartsheet |
| 20.09.24 | Semester 1 2025 Briefing |
| 2.10.24 | Due date for PPF, CV, Police Check, Working with Children Check |
| 10.10.24 | Nomination Period opens |
| 17.10.24 | Nomination Period closes |
| *Dates are subject to change |
Pre-requisite courses
The academic prerequisites for first and second placements in both programs are indicated below.
HWSS1137 Social Work Field Education 1
Pre-reqs: HWSS2093 Group Work Theory | HWSS1135 Casework & Advocacy
HWSS1143 Social Work Field Education 2
Pre-reqs: HWSS2092 Critical Social Work with Families | HWSS1137 Social Work Field Education 1 or HWSS2220 Social Work Field Education A
HWSS2206 Social Work Field Education 1
Pre-reqs: HWSS2049 Critical Social Work | HWSS2111 Casework Counselling and Advocacy | HWSS2209 Ethical Legal and Organisational Contexts of Practice
HWSS2207 Social Work Field Education 2
Pre-reqs: All courses in the Master of Social Work program except for Professional Project
Field Education Information Systems
There are a variety of platforms that Field Education uses in the allocation process.
Students are required to access the program Canvas site, InPlace, Smartsheet and PebblePad at a number of stages before and during placement.
Canvas (Learning Management System)
Canvas allows students to participate in course activities, undertake assessments tasks, view and submit assignments, and receive your grades and feedback. Find out more about Canvas here
Students must access their BH105 (BSW), BH106 (BSW) or MC150 (MSW) Program Canvas for Field Education related information, announcements and modules.
The Field Education Modules are accessed via Canvas and have been designed to prepare students for their Field Education placement. The modules allow students to move through the program information at their own pace and to revisit information as necessary. Students must confirm that they have completed the modules when they submit their PPF. Students, who receive RPL for Field Education 1, must also complete these modules.
InPlace
InPlace is a web-based software system that houses placement records and compliance documentation. InPlace also provides a portal for students to apply for placement opportunities in the Nomination Period.
Students will be required to upload, and update, their National Police Check and Victorian Working with Children Check (WWCC).
If you need assistance using InPlace, you can contact GUSS WIL via Student Connect.
Smartsheet
Smartsheet is a software as a service offering for collaboration and work management. Smartsheet is utilised for:
- Personal Planning Form (PPF)
- Placement Opportunities
- Self-sourced and Work-based Placement Proposal forms
- Student Undertaking
PebblePad
PebblePad is an online assessment tool for managing students’ Learning and Assessment Reports and the recording of placement hours. Agency supervisors and RMIT staff provide feedback and monitor progress throughout the placement. Following the placement confirmation email, a shared PebblePad workbook is created for the student and supervisors.
PPF and CV
The Personal Planning Form (PPF) and CV (resume) are essential documents that assist the Field Education Course Coordinators in the placement allocation process. While the PPF is only used for internal purposes, your CV will be shared with the placement agency. Ensure the information provided in the PPF and CV is current, clear and comprehensive. You can contact the RMIT Job Shop for advice and support with your CV.
Note: You will complete the PPF via a Smartsheet online form and will need to upload a copy of your CV to the PPF. The PPF is linked in Newsletter #2 for Semester 1 2025 Field Education students.
Working with Children Check
RMIT Social Work requires you to complete a Working With Children Check (WWCC) in order to participate in your Field Education placement/Work Integrated Learning (WIL). The check focuses on specific types of offences that relate to children and assesses a person’s suitability to work with children. You must obtain your WWCC prior to the start of your placement.
It is a legal requirement for those undertaking paid or voluntary child-related work in all Australian states and territories. Similar requirements may be required for placements in other countries. You are required by law to list RMIT as the organisation through which you will be undertaking child-related work. If you already have a WWCC for employment purposes, you must add RMIT as a volunteer organisation. If you pass the WWCC you will be mailed a card that is valid for 5 years unless suspended or revoked. You should take your WWCC Card to the first day of placement in case you are required to present it prior to commencing with the agency.
Note: Both volunteer and employee WWCC Cards are available. An Employee Card costs around $100 depending on where it is issued but allows you to engage in any paid or voluntary ‘child-related work’. A Volunteer Card is free but can only be used for voluntary child-related work. It is unlawful to engage in paid employment with a Volunteer card.
A Negative Notice is issued when it is considered that an applicant poses a risk to the safety of children. This prohibits the applicant from engaging in any child-related work even if they are directly supervised. If an applicant receives a Negative Notice, they cannot apply for another WWCC for a period of 5 years, unless their circumstances have changed.
Note: A Negative Notice may prevent you from accessing suitable WIL Activity and may delay or prevent you from satisfactorily progressing through your program.
Police check
Most agencies require a Police Check to be completed before you commence a placement with them.
This may be because you will be in a position of trust such as handling large amounts of money, having access to prescription medication or working with children, the elderly and those with disabilities. If you are required to complete a police check:
- you must apply for your own police check and pay the associated costs
- RMIT can assist you to obtain a police check via Fit2Work. GUSSWIL will send you details of this as part of preparation for placement
- you should take your certificate to the agency at pre-placement interview as you may be required to present it prior to commencing with the agency
Note:
- RMIT is under no obligation to organise a placement for a student who does not wish to apply for a police check
- It is at the discretion of the agency as to whether they choose to accept a student who has been convicted of a criminal offence. If a student is rejected by a workplace, the student will be advised and offered career and program counselling. Further placement options will be discussed
- Some agencies will require their own police checks if this is required, they will advise you
Immunisation requirements and agency compliance modules
The placement offer states whether immunisations are required for a placement and will list the specific immunisations. While immunisations are generally required for hospital placements, there may also be placements in other settings that require immunisations. These will also be noted in the placement offer.
Evidence of immunisations is usually required prior to commencement of the placement. Evidence can be provided by completing the RMIT Social Work Student Immunisation Form (available from Canvas and with any relevant placement offers) or by obtaining a copy of the student’s immunisation history through the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). Some agencies may have their own template, which they require students to complete. In this situation, the student is not required to complete the RMIT template but should notify the GUSS WIL team via Student Connect.
For some placements, the agency may require GUSS WIL to provide evidence of a student’s immunisation status prior to the placement commencing.
When students contact their allocated agency, it is essential that immunisation requirements are discussed.
COVID Vaccination
We anticipate that proof of COVID vaccination, or an exemption, will be required for placements. The placement offers will list whether providing proof of COVID vaccination, or an exemption, is a requirement for a placement.
- If you have questions about the vaccination and your personal circumstances, we recommend you seek advice from your general practitioner (GP) or the Medical Hub @ RMIT.
- We also recommend you monitor the Australian Government Department of Health, Victorian Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) website and World Health Organisation to stay informed.
If an agency has notified us that they will require students to complete a compliance module, such as hand hygiene, this will be noted in the placement offer. Please note that compliance modules might be required for non-clinical placements as well and these will be noted in the placement offer.
Equity Considerations & Reasonable Adjustments
RMIT University is committed to supporting student diversity and inclusion and provides support to students with a disability, long-term illness and/or mental health condition. Students can register with the Equitable Learning Services (ELS) who will work with the student to develop an Equitable Learning Plan (ELP) to be shared with their School. The plan will include any adjustments that are required for study and/or assessment conditions.
A copy of the ELP will be sent to the Field Education Course Coordinator. As the team commence planning for Field Education in the preceding semester, it is recommended students contact their Field Education Coordinator to discuss their ELP as early as possible.
It is important that the Field Education Coordinator is aware of any reasonable adjustments during the allocation process. Students are also encouraged to note any reasonable adjustments in their Personal Planning Form (PPF).
Please note: The Field Education team does not make these ELP details available to external parties without student consent but may discuss with the student how to raise any required adjustments. A copy of the ELP will be provided to the RMIT-employed External Field Educator and Liaison Officer.
Within Field Education, reasonable adjustments are made to placement and other activities to ensure students with a disability, long-term illness, or mental health condition, can participate in the Field Education course. An adjustment is deemed reasonable if it meets the needs of the student, and the agency has the capacity to provide the necessary adjustments. For Social Work Field Education, the performance standards required by the AASW must still be met. Students should be aware that planning for reasonable adjustments may impact on the type of placement they are able to undertake, and that additional time may be required to organise appropriate supports.
For more information, visit:
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-and-facilities/student-support/equitable-learning-services.
All students benefit from early planning for placement and students are encouraged to note any considerations required in their Personal Planning Form (PPF). However, if you are living with a disability, long-term illness and/or mental health condition that may impact upon your placement, additional time may be required to organise reasonable adjustments for your placement.
If you have not already done so, it is recommended that you register with the Equitable Learning Services (ELS) as they can assist you to work out reasonable adjustments for your placement. If you have registered with the ELS, but have not discussed your placement and believe you may require support, please make a further appointment with the ELS to discuss this.
The kinds of adjustments that can be considered for placement include:
- location of placement
- attendance pattern – part-time vs. full time, morning vs. afternoon attendance
- accessibility of placement (this includes the physical and digital environment)
- equipment requirements:
- ergonomic furniture
- magnifiers
- modified keyboard/mouse
- specialised software:
- screen reader software
- speech recognition software
- alternative formatting of print material:
- enlarged font size
- individual requirements:
- provision of a sign language interpreter
Once you have registered with the ELS, a copy of your ELP plan will be sent to Course Coordinators each semester for every course (including Field Education) that you are enrolled in. As we commence planning for Field Education the semester prior to enrolment, it is recommended you contact your Field Education Coordinator to advise of your ELP early in the placement preparation process. The Field Education Coordinator can then meet with you to review requirements and to advise on placement considerations.
Please note we do not make these ELP details available to external parties without your consent but may discuss with you how to raise any adjustments required.
Student services
Good planning is essential to successful Field Education experiences – however, sometimes things do not go as planned. There are a range of supports available to assist you:
- Finance: Centrelink, emergency assistance, fees, budgeting, tax, etc.
- Accommodation: options and tenancy advice
- International Student Support
- RMIT processes and policies: special consideration, remission of debt, leave of absence, etc.
You can talk to a Student Support Advisor via the portal:
Money and Insurance
RMIT has a comprehensive Student Placement Insurance Policy in place for current students on approved domestic and international placements. The RMIT insurance policy covers for personal accident, public and products liability and professional indemnity. For you to be covered by this insurance, you will need to be actively enrolled in a WIL course and have a finalised WIL agreement form before commencing your placement. If the agency has a question about insurance, please ask the agency to contact the GUSS WIL Unit (guss.wil@rmit.edu.au).
It is important to know that unlike some WIL activities in other programs, generally, all Social Work placements are unpaid. Placements are most commonly undertaken at 4 days per week, so planning your finances before commencing your placement is essential.
You should be advised of any additional costs to meet the requirements of a palcement prior to commencing it. These may include police checks, Working with Children Checks, immunisations, health checks, first aid certificates, personal protective equipment requirements, travel and accommodation costs for field trips and placements.
You should also consider the impact the placement may have on other commitments including childcare arrangements, other employment, study commitments and transport arrangements.