Information for Organisations and Supervisors
Thank you for considering taking an ACAP student for their Student Placement. All the information you need is below. Click on the links above, or scroll down for full details.
We value our partner organisations and thank you for your interest in ACAP’s Student Placement Program. We look forward to fostering an ongoing and mutually rewarding professional relationship with you.
What is 'Student Placement'?
Student placement is an opportunity for ACAP student to apply the knowledge they are learning in a supervised workplace. Depending on their program, students complete 140 to 400 hours of placement. Placement also provides an excellent opportunity for students to develop professional networks and explore career options and professional pathways.
What are the expected outcomes for Student Placement?
At ACAP, Placement is considered a vital and rewarding aspect of the students learning experience. While on placement, students are expected to:
- Practice the skills they have learnt in an environment that is challenging and supportive
- Consolidate and develop their knowledge and skills base
- Network and develop links within their placement organisation and across the industry
- Identify, clarify and explore career options and specialisation interests
- Enhance their personal and professional development
- Experience supervision and management in a supportive learning environment
- Build their professional confidence
How does my organisation benefit from having a student on placement?
Organisations benefit in many ways. Some of our smaller placement organisations couldn't function adequately without our students as they participate in every aspect of the business. Depending on the services offered by the organisation and the specislisation and experience of the student, benefits could include:
- Implementing services or projects or undertaking tasks that could not otherwise have been carried out due to lack of human resources
- Supervisor or other staff participate in a complimentary fee free unit of study at ACAP - valued at $1625 and counts towards professional development hours (offered after each 600 hours of supervised placement. See details below)
- As a source of potential employees or volunteers (many of our students are employed by their placement agency as they have had time to assess the students skills and attitudes and how well they will fit in with the current staff.)
- Reflecting on and revising current practices
- Being exposed to new theories and practices
- Participating in the skilling of its industry’s workforce
As Supervisor, what do I need to do?
- Participate in a pre-placement meeting with interested students to discuss available learning opportunities and to determine the suitability of the placement for that student
- Oversee the drafting and implementation of the ‘Student Learning and Supervision Contract’
- Establish the framework and process of assessment
- Maintain the confidentiality of their clients at all times and limit access to files, notes etc unless the client has given their informed consent. Counselling placement supervisors note: PACFA Ethical Guidelines state (ii) Clients must not be observed by anyone other than their Counsellors without having given informed consent. This applies both to direct observation and to any form of audio or visual transmission or recording. (iii) Counsellors and Supervisors are responsible for protecting the client’s rights of confidentiality in the supervisory context by ensuring that shared information is disguised appropriately.
- Give regular and constructive feedback, preparation and debriefing on the student’s performance
- Provide formal supervision at a regular meeting time-either one on one or in groups of no more than six.
- Participate in a ‘Mid Placement Review’ with the student and their educator or a member of the Student Placement Department
- Discuss concerns about a student’s performance with the student and alert ACAP’s Student Placement Department of any difficulties or concerns that may arise as early as possible
- Assess the student’s performance according and complete the ‘Supervisor’s Report’ form at the completion of the placement
- Counselling Placements only - Strudents doing counselling work with clients require clinical supervision by a suitably qualified professional. ACAP may provide support for organisations with this aspect of placement. Definitions of Client Contact and Clinical Supervision.
What insurance cover is provided for ACAP students on placement?
Students are covered by ACAP for public liability, professional indemnity and personal accident insurance. These insurance policies will only cover students on approved student placements that form part of the academic requirements of their course.
The ‘Placement Confirmation, Insurance and Code of Conduct’ form, provided by the student, must be completed and returned to the ACAP Student Placement Department PRIOR to the commencement of the placement.
There is an implied legal obligation on the part of the placement organisation and the placement supervisor to ensure that the student is not placed in a position where their actions can result in damage to property or injury to other persons. The placement organisation also has a legal requirement to provide a safe and secure working environment and not place the student in a situation where they may be at risk. The supervisor is responsible for the students well being and participation in suitable activities at all times.
Placement in USA or Canada have specific insurance requirements and should be discussed with the ACAP Student Placement Manager.
What is the process for student placement?
1. Pre-Placement
- meet with the student to discuss if and how a mutually beneficial placement can be organised
- Establish placement dates and times and complete and sign the ‘Placement Confirmation, Insurance and Code of Conduct’ form provided by the student. This form needs to be received by the Student Placement Department prior to the commencement of the placement.
2. Beginning of Placement
- orientation to the organisation
- frequency and means by which supervision and assessment of the student’s performance are to take place
- Discuss and fine tune the student’s drafted ‘Student Learning and Supervision Contract’ within the first 20 hours or two weeks of placement (whichever comes first)
- Facilitate, monitor and evaluate their learning
3. Mid Placement Review
- Provides the forum in which ACAP can ensure that the placement is of mutual benefit to the student and the placement organisation. This is also an opportunity for ACAP to see how the placement relates to the student’s ‘Learning Goals’
- Meet with an ACAP Educator either on site (where possible) or by phone – with you and the student in a meeting room with a speaker phone to enable a 3 way discussion
- Discuss how the student is developing and their progress towards achieving their learning contract goals
- Discuss any issues that may have arisen for both supervisor and student
- allow approximately one hour for an onsite visit and 30-45 minutes for a telephone review. In preparation for the Mid Placement Review please ensure that both you and the student have a copy of the student’s ‘Learning Contract’ as this will provide the basis of the review. The question the Educator will ask are available however you are requested not to complete the MPR form as the Educator will do this during the review and submit it to ACAP
- The Student is responsible for organising this review and is expected to finalise a date and time mutually suitable for all parties approximately half way through their placement. This appointment should be scheduled within 2 weeks of starting placement
Note: Supervisors should not wait until the ‘Mid Placement Review’ to air any concerns they may be experiencing. It is important that any concerns are brought to the immediate attention of the Student Placement Department who will then mediate, liaise and mentor as required.
4. Completion of Placement
- Provide constructive feedback to the Student
- Complete the Supervisor Placement Report including the number of completed hours and performance grading (satisfactory/unsatisfactory)
- The student is responsible for submitting all paperwork
- Clinical Experience Log (Counselling Students Only)
How do I give feedback to ACAP regarding the placement process or other issues?
Should supervisors wish to provide feedback about the placement and/or the placement process, please contact the relevant Student Placement Coordinator or Officer
Which forms do I need to complete?
It is the students responsibilioty to manage the forms for the placement and give you any forms (or the link to the online form) that they need to complete. Depending on the course your student is studying, they will have differnt forms to complete. The basic forms to be signed for all placements are:
| Confirmation of Placement and Insurance Form |
Experience Log |
| Learning Contract |
Clinical Supervision Log (if you offer clinical supervision to a counselling student)
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| Participate in a Mid Placement review (form completed by ACAP Educator |
Supervisor Report
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Complimentary Professional Development Opportunity for Supervisors and Staff - 'Thank You' from ACAP
The Australian College of Applied Psychology (ACAP), in acknowledgment and appreciation of your organisation’s support to our students, offers you a ‘Professional Development Opportunity’. ACAP offers to assist your staff in their own professional development and training through making single units of study available on a complimentary basis.
ACAP’s offer
Organisations that accept and supervise 600 hours of placement in an 18 month period are eligible to receive complimentary enrolment into any one of our units. This provides an invaluable staff training opportunity in the areas of Counselling, Communication, Human Resource Management, Case Management or Coaching. This can be undertaken by the placement supervisor or a nominated staff member of the organisation.
How to apply
- Select the unit you wish to study here: http://www.acap.edu.au/SingleModules/index.html.
- Select the mode and time that suits here: http://www.acap.edu.au/Courses/Timetables.html.
- Complete the ‘ACAP Professional Development Opportunity’ application and return to the ACAP Student Placement Department for processing: Professional Development Application.
- The Placement staff will then verify your elegibility for the complimentary unit and when confirmed, will ask you to complete the College Application Form
- Once your application has been processed and approved, you will receive a letter from ACAP confirming your enrolment in your selected unit.
- For further information contact the placement department in your state. Details are available on the contact details page.
