An investigation of social work theory integrated with practice

Abstract

The study was undertaken to investigate the ability of students to integrate social work theory with practice during their internships placements. It also looked into how the supervision of students was conducted so as to develop professional service providers and also improve the quality of the practical training. In the execution of the research the researcher made use of the descriptive design in which questionnaires were completed by 36 social work students after their completion of the internship in 2003; heads of social work departments of universities; and 20 field supervisors/social workers attached to different welfare agencies where students were placed for their internship. Although a non-probability sampling method was used, and representativeness cannot be claimed, it was clearly indicated by the responses of the selected universities that the information derived from the research to a great extent corresponded with the findings. The findings of the study revealed that:- * the respondents/students were mainly placed with agencies that practice only one method of social work. This arrangement denies them the opportunity to practice the integrated approach as well as integrating theory into practice. * there is a lack of co-ordination between the university lecturing staff and field supervisors during the internship of students. This hampers sufficient and effective supervision offered to students. * the agencies do not have a time schedule for student's supervision. Because of the workloads of supervisors, supervision is offered on an ad hoc basis whenever it suits the field supervisors which is not acceptable. * that : because of the workload of agencies supervisors are not always in a position to update them with recent developments in social work and approaches which in the supervision may hamper the effective integration of theory with practice. * students are not well prepared before they go for the practical training and as a result they experience difficulties in integrating theory with practice. agencies are not given proper direction by means of a proper guide for the practical training of students. * agencies are not subsidized by the authorities to undertake the practical training of students. This may be one of the reasons why supervision is undertaken on an ad hoc basis. * Based on the main findings, the following recommendations were made: * the universities should only place students with accredited agencies in order to give them the opportunity to practice all social work methods. * co-ordination between the lecturing staff and field supervisors with regard to training of students during their internships should be greatly improved. * universities in collaboration with agencies should draw up a time schedule for student supervision. * training institutions to offer refresher courses to supervisors of co-operating agencies to keep them abreast of new social work developments and to ensure quality training of students. * social work students should receive sufficient experiential training in class to prepare them for the realities of social practice and to make it possible for them to integrate theory into practice. * the subsidization of welfare agencies by the authorities should be changed to also accommodate subsidization for the practical training of students.