Professional Behavior

1. DIVISION OR SCHOOL

2. DIVISION OR SCHOOL
OVERVIEW OF THIS SESSION
• Getting started on placement and dealing with
expectations
• Role of the student and professional
• Professional relationships and boundaries
• Dealing with conflict

3. DIVISION OR SCHOOL
Enthusiasm meets Experience
Supervisors and staff who work with students consistently say that student bring
three things
1.Enthusiasm
2.Fresh eyes
3.Reminder about theory and formal knowledge
Students need to be aware however that their own experiences in the agency
will differ markedly from that of the staff and clients.
Why do you think that this is so?
How might you use this information to assist you on placement?
“Falling in love vs marriage”
Helpful for students to understand this context so that they will not be
disappointed or have unrealistic expectations.

4. DIVISION OR SCHOOL
Roles and responsibilities
Student
Field Educator (Onsite- Offsite)
CSU- Academic Liaison

5. DIVISION OR SCHOOL
Getting started on Placement
As you are introduced to staff, clients and the organisation you will begin to form
your impressions of them. At the same time they will be doing the same of you?
Because first impressions can leave lasting effects your should think about what
kind of first impression you would like to give others?
It is important to consider the nature of the placement the organisation, the
kinds of activities they will be involved in and the institutional norms are for attire
and conduct.
Clothing is one example of this – when arriving in the wrong clothes can really
impact on first impressions. Clarifying this prior to the first day would be an
important consideration.
Whilst considering your own first impressions also consider the first impressions
you will have of others.

6. DIVISION OR SCHOOL
Case Example:What the student thought
Hannah’s arrived to the lecturer’s office after her initial placement
interview. She was terribly distraught and convinced that the next three
months were sure to be awful. When she had gone to the visit her
supervisor, he was at first too busy to meet with her. When finally they
did meet up later that day, he asked a lot of questions about her
approach to treatment, her experience and what she was doing there.
During the conversation he also corrected some of the things that she
said, he used rough language and he never asked about who she was
as a person. Almost in tears she said to her lecturer “I am sure there is
no way we’ll ever get along. I am sure he hates me already and I just
can’t work with someone like that.”
DISCUSS

7. DIVISION OR SCHOOL
EXERCISE
Take a moment to think about the role of student as viewed
from several different perspectives.
•Supervisor
•Other professional staff
•Admin staff
•Clients
What positive ideas might each group have of the
students?
What negative ideas might each group have of the student?
How might you use this information to prepare yourself for
placement?

8. DIVISION OR SCHOOL
What the academic thought.
Knew the supervisor personally and was aware
that his style could be perceived as gruff.
Knew that this person was extremely dedicated to
his clients and also to previous students on
placements.
The gruffness came from personal style and from
being overworked and was a deliberate strategy
with students to see how they performed under
pressure and possible confrontation

9. DIVISION OR SCHOOL
What the supervisor thought
Was quite impressed with the student and believed
that she would work out just fine.
Next day he apologised to the student about the
misunderstanding and complimented the student
how she responded.
Went on to have a productive working relationship.

10. DIVISION OR SCHOOL
The role of the student
Grey area somewhere between student and professional
Still have things to learn – but you can be counted on to have some
knowledge and skills
You may be given increasing responsibility but you will not be the same
as a staff member
This can be compounded as others involved with your placement may
not be clear about your role
Complicated by previous students within the organisation
HOW MIGHT YOU DEAL WITH SOME OF THIS?

11. DIVISION OR SCHOOL
THE ROLE OF THE PROFESSIONAL
Need to consider that
professionals are expected to
meet certain standards of
conduct that are not expected of
students
Standards might include:
•Arriving on time
•Keeping appointments
•Following up on work matters
•Appropriate clothing
•Quality of work one produces
•No mobile phone use

12. DIVISION OR SCHOOL
Professional vs student
Students do have more freedom in these areas in contrast
to a professional who must be prompt reliable and act in
ways that maintain an image of respectability. Modelling
appropriate behaviour.
As a student preparing for placement you might want to re-
examine you own conduct or perhaps select a placement
that is more in keeping with your style.
There is room and a need for individuality amongst social
worker so do not despair that you are to become something
you are not.

13. DIVISION OR SCHOOL
Professional vs student
It is your responsibility to find ways to remain
an individual while still serving your placement
and clients.
•It is important too that you
consider seriously about the effects of their
appearance and actions.
•Being a professional is about
balancing individuality with your
professional role and placement is
a good opportunity to experiment and explore this.

14. DIVISION OR SCHOOL
Expectations of Professional Education
Activity:
Break into groups and discuss the handout Expect
ations from the different perspectives.
•The profession
•The university
•The agency/supervisor
•The student

15. DIVISION OR SCHOOL
Professional Supervision
It is the process by which field educators facilitate
a students learning through practical training and
professional development.
What might be some of the activities that could be
included here?

16. DIVISION OR SCHOOL
Functions of Supervision
1. Administration
2. Support
3. Knowledge sharing
4. Mediation.

17. DIVISION OR SCHOOL
Informal and Formal Supervision
What is the difference?
How often can you expect to have supervision?
How can you prepare for supervision?

18. DIVISION OR SCHOOL
Preparation for Supervision
Includes having knowledge about self and also
your learning styles.
Learning styles to be explored in a further slides –
please refer to the Kolb reading in the subject
materials also.

19. DIVISION OR SCHOOL
PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND
BOUNDARIES
You have been on placement for a few weeks and you are enjoying it a
great deal. The staff in the agency are friendly and interested in having
a student. Your supervisor is clearly a busy person and you have really
appreciated all the time that they have spent with you explaining the
work and supporting you in your role.
One day your supervisor contacts you to say that they would not be in
the office that morning as they have a meeting to attend. They also
advise that their child is unwell and cannot attend day care and the
supervisors asks you would it be ok if you watched the child while she
is at the meeting which should only take two hours.
What do you say?

20. DIVISION OR SCHOOL
What is conflict?
A normal and natural part of our workplace and
personal lives and can be helpful in making
necessary changes within the home or work
environment.
Unresolved conflict can result in feelings of
dissatisfaction, unhappiness, hopelessness,
depression, and other emotions.

21. DIVISION OR SCHOOL
What is conflict?
Communication is both the cause of and the
remedy for conflict
Communication and conflict resolution skills must
be learned.
The workplace setting is fertile breeding ground for
conflicts
Most people fear conflict and see it as something
to avoid

22. DIVISION OR SCHOOL
Steps for Managing Conflict
1. Realize that some conflicts
are inevitable at work
2. Handle conflicts sooner
rather than later.
3. Ask
4. Invite the other person to
talk about the situation.
5. Be objective.
6. Apologise

23. DIVISION OR SCHOOL
A quick summary of Conflict and resolving it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY5TWVz5ZDU

24. DIVISION OR SCHOOL
Steps for Managing Conflict
7. Appreciate the other persons position.
8. Identify the consequences.
9. Define a objective for moving forward
10.Get mediation

25. DIVISION OR SCHOOL
Summary
Today we have considered the following
•Professional relationships
•Supervision
•Conflict
Are there any further questions?
Cartoons Source:http://www.cartoonresource.com/archive/business/competition/bhr334-
kg.aspx

26. DIVISION OR SCHOOL
Exercise
Consider the roles and responsibilities document
included in the notes
Review this document and prepare some
questions that you might explore with your field
educator on placement?

27. DIVISION OR SCHOOL
Any questions
Questions from todays activities?