How Placement Works

Placement

What paperwork etc needs to be completed while on placement?
What do I need to submit when I have finished my placement?

Every ACAP student preparing for placement (enrolled in a preparation unit Developing Professional Practice or Professional Practice (undergrad) or Counselling Skills 2 (Grad Dip) is automatically enrolled in the Placement Preparation online class space (see My Classes on the My.ACAP intranet) If you are searching for a placement yet cannot see this class space under My Classes, please contact your Placement Officer and they will enrol you. This class space gives you access to all the placement resources and gives step by step instructions for how to be successful in securing a great placement.

Below is a summary of the process you will need to follow after you have secured your placement:

 What paperwork etc needs to be completed while on placement?
In the first 20 hours draft and sign the Student Learning and Supervision Contract :
  • This is a signed agreement between the student and their Supervisor which covers placement goals, tasks and assessment methods.
  • Students and Supervisors need to draft the Student Learning and Supervision Contract 
  • This is an initial contract that can be further developed during the actual placement.
 Both the student and the Supervisor must sign the Student Learning and Supervision Contract.
  • Submit the Learning and Supervision contract within the first twenty hours spent on the placement or two weeks of commencing a placement (whichever comes first).
  • Students are required to keep a copy of this document before returning the original to the Placement Department.
  • Use this sample for ideas example Student Learning and Supervision Contract. The example given is to be used as a guide only. Think about what you have learned in the classroom that you would like to apply on placement and add this in.
Book your Mid-Placement Review 
  • Within the first 20 hours you have spent on your placement arrange a Mid-Placement Review interview with your Placement Supervisor and an Educator.
  • Calculate approximately when you will reach your mid-point in your placement, and book a 1 hour appointment for you and your Supervisor in a room with a speaker phone.
  • Then email your request to book a review to the Educators who are available on that day at that time.
  • Email Student Placement for the current list of Educators and their email contact details. Email Sydney, Email Melbourne, Email Brisbane
Experience Log  
  • The Experience Log is to be completed by all students throughout their placement and submitted to the Placement Department at its completion.
  • The Experience Log is a record of the types of activities and client contact that students are involved with during their placement.
  • ACAP recommends that students maintain a copy of this log for future reference as it will be required when joining a professional association and/or for future employment. 
  • Principles for students to follow and an example Experience Log are available.
The example given is to be used as a guide only.
  • Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Counselling) and Graduate Diploma of Counselling (12 & 16) students only: In accordance with PACFA requirements, Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Counselling) and Graduate Diploma of Counselling (12 & 16) students are required to complete the Clinical Supervision Log form certifying that they have undertaken a minimum of 10 hours of clinical supervision relating to the direct client contact. Please read the PACFA Definitions of Client Contact and Supervision.
 Definitions of Client Contact and Clinical Supervision.
  • NOTE: You cannot join PACFA directly. You must join a  professional association member in your state. Each professional association member has their own requirements which may differ from PACFAs requirements. Please contact your preferred professional association  to check their requirements, as your Placement Department is only responsible for ensuring that your placement meets course requirements as a PACFA accredited course.
Mid-Placement Review  
  • The Mid-Placement Review is an ACAP requirement for all students on placement. 
  • This review provides an opportunity for ACAP to monitor the placement in relation to the students learning goals, and to discuss any issues that may have arisen for either the student or the Supervisor. 
  • The review is either conducted on site or via a three way teleconference. 
  • Students and Supervisors need to allocate approximately one hour for a site visit and 30-40 minutes for a telephone review halfway through a placement. 
  • Sydney on-campus and all flexible delivery students will need to consult the Mid-Placement Review Educator List. Email your Placement Officer for the current list of educators and their email addresses.
Melbourne and Brisbane on-campus students will need to contact their respective Placement Departments directly.
  • It is vital that students do NOT wait until the Mid-Placement Review to express any concerns they may have about their placement. Any concerns must be brought to the immediate attention of the Placement Department who will then mediate and liaise with the Supervisor as required.
    •  What do I need to submit when I have finished my placement?
Student Placement Report
For Graduate Certificate in Counselling Skills and Graduate Diploma of Counselling (16) students only:
  • Students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Counselling Skills and the Graduate Diploma of Counselling (16) need to complete a Placement Report. 
  • This report allows students to critically reflect on their placement learning in a 1,500 word paper (refer to the Marking Criteria and Student Placement Report Cover Sheet for specific requirements).
  • In conjunction with the Mid-Placement Review and Supervisor Placement Report, the Student Placement Report acts Your Link as the final piece of assessment from which the Placement Department determines if the placement has been completed at a satisfactory or unsatisfactory level.
  • Please ensure that the Placement Report Cover Sheet is attached to the Placement Report when submitting this to the Placement Department. 
  • The report is to be submitted within four weeks of completing placement.
  • Students requiring an extension should contact the Placement Department immediately to negotiate an appropriate extension date. This request will be considered on an individual basis with specific reference to the circumstances of the student.

    • The unsatisfactory completion of a Student Placement Report occurs when a student fails to submit their Student Placement Report within four weeks after the completion of a placement or by a previously negotiated extension date (extension dates must be negotiated with the Placement Department prior to the original due date), or fails to satisfy the marking criteria of the written report.

    The Placement Department assesses the report and its submission as either satisfactory or unsatisfactory. Students who do not meet the report criteria or whose report is deemed unsatisfactory will be required to complete another report. If a student chooses to appeal the decision made by the Placement Department, they may appeal following the guidelines outlined in the Student Handbook.

    Supervisor Placement Report

    Students are to ensure that their Placement Supervisor completes the Supervisor Placement Report feedback and assessment form at the completion of their placement. It is the responsibility of the student to return this form to the Placement Department within four weeks of the placement completion date.

    Confidential Placement Evaluation

    The Confidential Placement Evaluation  provides students with the opportunity to give feedback on the placement process and their placement. It enables the Placement Department to evaluate and improve the placement process. This needs to be completed online.