A qualitative evaluation of social work field instruction offered by universities in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

• Main Author: Schmidt, Kim
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: University of Fort Hare 2013
• Subjects: Fieldwork (Educational method) > South Africa > Eastern Cape; Social service > Fieldwork > Study and teaching > South Africa > Eastern Cape
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1272

This research study describes an evaluation of social work field instruction offered by universities in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Qualitative data was collected from agency field instructors, university fieldwork coordinators and social work students. This study’s findings indicated that field instruction needs a good foundation of experiential learning that is facilitated by report writing, journal writing and agency and university supervision. Findings also indicated a need for the screening, selection and training of agency field instructors. There was also an indication that universities should develop selection procedures to ensure that the best possible students are accepted into the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) programme. All findings indicated that field instruction programmes are most effective when there is a strong university agency partnership. The study concludes by making recommendations for future development of standards relating to field instruction programmes in the Eastern Cape and South Africa. Key words: Social work, evaluative research, field instruction, experiential learning, reflection, agency field instructor, university supervisor, university fieldwork coordinator, social work student, social work education, social work training.