The placement experience of Western Sydney University social work students with physical disabilities

Abstract

To obtain a social work degree in Australia, students must complete 1000 hours of placement. Students with physical disabilities however face barriers on placement but little literature exists on this or how placement affects students' professional social work development. This phenomenological study investigated the placement experience of Western Sydney University social work students with physical disabilities. An online survey, semi-structured interviews and the theoretical framework of the socio-political model of disability, helped find that participants encountered inaccessible placement environments, negative assumptions about their needs and capabilities and a reluctance to implement reasonable adjustments, which reduced their practice confidence and sense of professional identity. Through placement, participants also reported an increased skill set, more resilience and a greater interest in different social work practice areas. These findings generate new understandings in this under-researched area, to inform placement agency practices on promoting disability inclusion and helping students become confident social workers.

Date of Award	2019
Original language	English