Field Work

Field Work

A distinctive feature of the instructional programmes is the emphasis laid on fieldwork.  Fieldwork enables the student to integrate and reinforce the knowledge acquired in the classroom with actual practice under competent supervision provided by field instructors who may be members of the faculty of the Institute or staff of an agency. The content of fieldwork is planned to provide an orderly sequence of learning. The field work programme consists of the following:

a) Orientation Programme:

Orientation Programmes are organized at the beginning of the first and the third semesters. The objective of the programme is to equip students with the nature of social work education, programme of academic instruction, concurrent field work, practice skills and fields of social work. For the MSW (final) students the orientation programme is organized with the objective to sharpen the students’ awareness and enhance to their practice skills.

b) Observation visits:

As a part of orientation programme observation visits to development organizations, industries and communities are organized at the first and the third semester. The objective of observation visit is to expose the students to development and welfare agencies. Students are exposed to about 20 agencies and fields of practice.

c) Concurrent Fieldwork:

This involves placement for two academic years in selected social agency settings and in communities where students work twice a week under supervision of a faculty member and concerned agency personnel. The emphasis is laid on the development aspect of work which a student may be able to visualize and undertake. In the community setting the students learn to gain an overall understanding of the community, identify its needs, resources and problems, there by identifying the areas requiring intervention. HRM specialization students are placed in the industries. The aim is to guide the students to develop capacity and acquire the abilities to initiate and carry out the tasks in the areas of social action, change and social development.

d) Rural Camp / Study Tour:

The institute organizes study tours and camps in rural areas as part of the field work programme for both the years. The rural camp provides an experience of group living and development of attitudes conducive for effective team work. The faculty members accompany the students. It provides an excellent opportunity to the students to practice and learn the use of PRA techniques, Natural Resource Management, Watershed Development etc. Further the students are given an opportunity to visit organization and development work within Maharashtra and at times outside Maharashtra.

e) Block Placement:

Block placement comprises of a four-week pre-employment training programme in various agencies. It is conducted on a full-time basis. Each student is placed in an agency/ organization of his/her choice after the final year examination during May- June. This training provides with more specific learning and intensive work within an organization.

Field Practicum (Field Work) Rules:

1. In order to offer flexibility to the respective affiliated centers- Institutes/ Colleges/ Schools of Social Work can develop  the  field  practicum  modules  according  to  available  field  of  opportunities in their region. The field work  over  4  semesters  will  include  the  following  components -concurrent or block field work or a combination of both; rural camp; study tour; final  block placement. However, rural camp and study tour may be optional, and each center can work out alternatives from amongst any of the following – field project based assignments/visits to rural/urban areas or model projects of social work intervention/social development/ industrial visits in the nearby geographical area. These would be for the entire batch as per available learning opportunities and needs of the specialization. These should be declared in advance by each center.
2. Marks: Total marks 600, per semester 150 marks (Total 24 credits, 6 Credits per semester)
3. Field work shall be conducted during two days a week for a minimum of 15(fifteen) clock hours a week or Continuous Block Field Work or combined, minimum 250 per Semester, and/or as per the required number of days for a particular semester. A minimum one contact session in a week (of at least ½ hour) with faculty supervisor through Individual and Group conferences is compulsory. Each center is expected to design Field Practicum (Field Work) module, field work manual, orientation components, supervision monitoring mechanisms and assessment criteria.
4. Field work shall be conducted at a social work /welfare agency/organization/ industry/ community/ Govt. / NGO recognized by the training institution. Every student shall be supervised by an experienced /professional social worker from the agency and a faculty member/professional supervisors duly appointed by the Institute.
5. In order to ensure and maintain quality standards in field work practicum, each center should develop standardized monitoring and evaluation criteria, rules and mechanisms. It is mandatory on the part of students to comply with all the rules and norms designed and adopted by the respective centers. Maintaining Field work Journal, written reports/records or documents, Diary/any other prescribed document by the student is a mandatory requirement
6. Minimum one day contact sessions, individual and group conferences in a week is must. Each centre is expected to design Field Practicum (Field Work) module, manual, orientation, components, supervision, monitoring mechanisms and assessment criteria.
7. Field work  shall  be  conducted  at  a  social  work / welfare agency/organization/ industry/ community/ Govt. / NGO recognized by  the  training institution. Every student shall be supervised by an experienced/professional social worker from the agency and a faculty member/ professional supervisors duly appointed by the Institute.
8. A weekly individual conference of at least 30 minutes, related to field work of every student, shall be conducted by the field work supervisor. Field work shall be evaluated internally by the assigned Field Work Supervisor.
9. In order to ensure and maintain quality standards in filed work practicum, each centre should develop standardized, monitoring and evaluation criteria, rules and mechanisms. It is mandatory on the part of students to comply with all the rules and norms designed and adopted by the respective centres. Maintaining Field work Journal, written reports/ records or documents, Diary/ any other prescribed document by the student is mandatory requirement.
10. Attendance: 100% attendance at Field work is compulsory.
11. A student failing in field work at any semester will be considered as ‘Fail’, however, student who has failed in a field work may reappear for the Field Work only twice in the subsequent period, in the same or next semester (clause 8.1, 8.2, 9.3 and 10.11 shall be applicable). In such case his credits in theory subjects will be carried forward, subject to above clause and or clearing theory papers as per passing rules and standards. In such failure and repeater case, centre may provide opportunity through concurrent or Continuous Block Field Work or in combination, whatever applicable and within the field work norms and rules of the centre)
12. Revaluation: In  any  case,  there  is  no  provision  of  revaluation  or  moderation  of  field  work research/ term paper or internal assessment ( CA) marks  at university level.
13. Field Work Modules: Field Work Core Components. PG centres will have internal flexibility to decide components and evaluation criteria and weightage, marks, within the given frame work.