A task consultant provides guidance to the student in carrying out administrative tasks, e.g., information on a hospital patient, resources for specific social legislation. The primary field instructor retains all educational teaching functions, and would supervise the student on these assignments. Practice Consultant It is not uncommon for students to meet with representatives of other disciplines, e.g., psychologist, psychiatrist for consultation on an assignment. Students cannot be supervised by a person in another discipline. However, it is recognized that related disciplines functioning as consultants have much to offer students from their own expertise, and we encourage their use.
Some agencies provide regularly scheduled group supervision to students.
This model of supervision can be very useful in expanding the student's learning of practice through interchange with others. We particularly encourage agencies who have several students in placement from our or other schools to provide opportunities for them to meet together. Students can learn about other programs and the range of clients' needs in their agency. The opportunities for teaching areas of practice such as contracting, assessment, differential interventions and modalities are greatly expanded when students can present their work to one another or in similar exchanges with staff. If group supervision is offered it can be a supplement to one and a half hours of weekly individual field instruction.