Each student is required to successfully complete two professional placements of at least 500 hours each, in order to fulfil the requirements of CORU and the Programmes. The Practice Education team in conjunction with the course team and in consultation with the student, take responsibility for identifying, co-ordinating and allocating placements to individual students. The primary criterion used for the allocation of available placements is the student’s learning needs. Students are assigned to work with CORU accredited social work practitioners, who in their role as Practice Teachers and in consultation with students and tutors, determine the parameters of learning opportunities within their agency. Practice Education placements provide students with diverse learning opportunities across a range of placements.

Each student must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 1,000 hours of assessed professional social work placement.

All placements are undertaken in accordance with the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Social Workers (PDF, 366 KB) (for more information, see Social Workers Registration Board, CORU).

Students who fail a placement and subsequently provide evidence of readiness for practice, may be permitted to repeat the placement and the related practice project. Only one attempt to repeat a failed placement is permitted. The repeat placement and the related practice project must be passed in order for students to progress within their programme.

Decisions regarding allocation of placements is taken on the basis of the student’s learning needs, prior experience, and areas of interest. The process for allocation of placements is discussed as part of Preparation for Placement modules in all years of the BSS programme. Students attend preparation for placement modules in their Senior Freshman Year.  Students complete the Placement Planning Form which includes details of previous placements, volunteering and other relevant practice experience; learning needs, identification of relevant issues (health, disability, personal), areas of interest for placement, preferred location, mode of transport.

 Students submit an up-to-date CV highlighting relevant experience .

Practice education coordinators analyse students’ learning needs, previous placement experience and areas of interest and review feedback from previous Practice Teacher Reports.  Prospective practice teachers are contacted and provided with a student’s CV and details and asked to confirm if placement is suitable for the prospective student

 Students are consulted when a placement is confirmed as available and suitable. Information is provided on learning opportunities at the placement site, geographical location and the fit with the student’s learning needs is discussed

We aim to confirm your placement 4 weeks prior to your start date. Securing suitable placements can be challenging so sometimes placements are not finalized until closer to the start date. We will keep you involved in the process and updated on the progress of your placement.

All new undergraduate students enrolled for the Bachelor in Social Studies are required to complete a Pre Placement Health Assessment (PPHA) before commencing placements. A mandatory Health Screening appointment will be arranged for you through the College Health Service. The School will schedule this appointment and notify you of the date and time in due course. As part of your health screening, your vaccination status will be assessed. To help College Health prepare for your appointment, please obtain and upload the required documentation to the Health Screening Portal as soon as possible. https://www.tcd.ie/students/orientation/health/index.php

Agencies require students to undergo Garda vetting prior to commencing placement. Garda vetting is obtained by Trinity College on the student’s behalf in the first year of the BSS programme. Students sign consent forms and provide background information to enable the Garda vetting process. Information arising from the Garda vetting process is treated with the utmost confidentiality. Only details relevant to placement are forwarded to Practice Teachers. Students will not be allowed to commence placement until they have submitted the signed consent form to College and Garda vetting has been completed. The college will request a student to renew their Garda vetting if they have taken time off from their studies.

More Information is available here

https://www.tcd.ie/academicregistry/student-registration/garda-vetting/