Assign faculty field instructors for S381 and a faculty field liaison for S482 for agencies. Disseminate course objectives, evaluation forms and other materials relevant to the practicum experience to both participating students and agency personnel involved in field instruction. An integral part of the administration of the BSW field courses is arranging malpractice insurance coverage for the participants in the field education of social work students. Malpractice is an act of commission or omission by a professional that fails below accepted standards of care and results in or aggravates an injury to the client. Students in field placements are acting in a professional role that involves the responsibility to uphold the same professional, legal and ethical standards as other practicing social workers.
Clients expect students to perform their role in a competent manner.
However, students are vulnerable to the extent that they lack professional skills. The Indiana University School of Social Work carries the NASW Student Malpractice blanket insurance policy during the time students are in the field placement. This insurance does not cover time a social work student may volunteer at any agency including the agency of the field placement. Field Instruction Agency . Field instruction agencies are to be non-discriminatory in the provision and delivery of services, in the employment of personnel, and the acceptance of students for placement.