A Framework for the use of competencies in rural social work field practice placements

Abstract The Australian Social Work Competency Standards for Entry Level Social Workerspublished by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) in 1994 covers generic skills, knowledge and values. While acknowledging the necessity of developing two additional competency strands, rural/remote and cross-cultural competencies, the AASW has not as yet undertaken work in this area. In developing a new social work course, staff from the Bunbury Regional Campus of Edith Cowan University in Western Australia in conjunction with local social work practitioners have developed a rural and remote competency strand. Local practitioners insisted on the development of a competency strand which explicitly describes the work of practitioners in rural and remote areas and prepares students for practice in rural Australia. The synthesis of information obtained from social work professionals who have rural practice experience and from relevant literature has provided the basis for identifying specific skills necessary to service rural and remote areas. This paper details the process of designing the beginnings of the rural/remote competency strand Working in Rural and Remote Locations and offers a teaching and learning framework based on the competencies which will inform student learning whilst on field practice placement.