"It is more complicated than you first think!" : the challenges of work-based practica

Work-based practica (that is practica in the student's usual place of employment) can be viewed as an 'easy option' for locating placements in the context of high competition for a limited range of practica opportunities. Students who are currently working in the human services sector as well as mature age students with family/life responsibilities also see that work-based practica (WBP) is a pragmatic and equitable way of reducing the pressure of study/work/family demands. It can also increase access to a professionally based award with a huge practica load. However we would argue that a WBP is a complex option with significant advantages and disadvantages and, before undertaken, university educators need to explore the complexities. This article presents findings on the third and final stage of a project that explored current practices, concerns, advantages and disadvantages of WBP in social work from the experiences of field-based supervisors and students who undertook WBP during their course. This stage builds on the previous two stages of this project that explored the practices, concerns and advantages and disadvantages of WBPs from the perspective of university-based educators in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and at an international meeting of social work educators. Several recommendations are proposed if WBP is to become a viable option for students.