Demonstrating social work practice standards in research-based field placement: reflections from social work students in Australia

To complete their placement, students enrolled in accredited social work courses in Australia must demonstrate that they meet the Practice Standards by the Australian Association of Social Work (AASW). However, international evidence suggests that students engaging in research-based placements may struggle to meet the Practice Standards. Yet, there is no research in Australia that provides evidence on how students on research-based placements demonstrate competencies as set out in the AASW Practice Standards. This study investigates how students undertaking research-based placements fulfill the AASW Practice Standards, and the barriers they experience. Fifteen social work students were recruited purposively from an Australian University and participated in qualitative interviews. The findings were mixed. However, most of the students reported difficulties in demonstrating how they achieved the Practice Standards related to ethical dilemmas, working with Aboriginal peoples, and professionalism. Participants recommended the creation of targeted reflexive tools to better support students undertaking research-based placements. Based on these findings, we argue that making research-based placements sustainable requires the interpretation of the Practice Standards for research-based placements to support students to anticipate how they might achieve the standards. Also, research methods instructors/Lecturers in social work need to provide further education to students about the research-practice nexus.