SWiS Resources

Social work students and supervisors alike may use this suite of resources. Each source expands upon the UNE SWiS model background and philosophy with practical examples. The ‘student-led’ sources have been developed and tested by students on placement. They are all freely downloadable by clicking their link. See more about the SWiS Project here.

Planning and Implementing a Social Work in Schools Placement  (SWiS) Placement

The following handbook outlines phases and principles for establishing social work field education placements in an NSW school setting. It is intended to provide information and guidance for university field education staff and school staff such as school principals, deputies and head wellbeing staff.

Planning and implementing a Social Work in Schools (SWiS) Placement

A Field Education Handbook for Social Work in School (SWIS) Placements (2nd ed)

This handbook is designed to support social work students who are undertaking a placement in a school setting and provide information and guidance for supervisors who will be supporting them. Social workers have an extensive history of working in schools worldwide to support school students and families in addressing the social determinants of health that impact upon learning and educational outcomes. Social workers bring complementary skills and knowledge to support existing school staff, such as wellbeing teams, counsellors, and teachers. Social work students undertaking placements in schools can experience a variety of roles in which to further the growth and development of their social work skills. This is now the 2nd Edition of the Handbook, with new sections and further examples of student activities.

A Field Education Handbook for Social Work in School (SWiS) Placements  (2nd ed)

The Innovation Triangle: a whole school approach to wellbeing

The Social Work in School (SWiS) program is well established in the Hunter New England Region of NSW. Numerous wellbeing strategies are in place in schools; however, it appears the complexity and numbers of students requiring support have outgrown these current systems. Social workers could work across the whole school to address some of these needs, as is evidenced by the UNE Social Work in School (SWiS) model through field education. Services must be extended into schools or appropriate partnerships developed toward accurate and effective care outside of general wellbeing matters. Early intervention by appropriate allied health services is important.

The Innovation Triangle: a whole school approach to wellbeing

Planning and facilitating effective small groups in a Social Work in Schools (SWiS) Placement

Social work students undertaking a placement in a school have the opportunity to experience a variety of roles in which to grow further and develop their social work skills, group work being one valuable part of the role. The content in this handbook can be a springboard for initiating helpful discussions between schools and university students. This handbook outlines some central principles of practical groups in schools.

Planning and facilitating effective small groups in a Social Work in Schools (SWiS) Placement

The following sources are student-developed programs to use in your SWiS placement. Please use these programs and further enhance school social work.

UNI-fied - Aspiration workshops: building school students’ aspirations in a school setting.

UNI-fied is designed to encourage a unified discussion link for school students and young people from rural and low socio-economic areas toward considering a university education; therefore, the name UNI-fied. This ready-to-go three-day workshop leads school students through a journey of aspirational discovery and skills development toward their potential career ideas. This handbook is intended to educate social work students about theories and activities that inform their practice.

UNI-fied - Aspiration workshops: building school students’ aspirations in a school setting.

Hope for Healing

Trauma can have tremendous negative, long-term impacts on the development of children and young people. These children and young people often struggle socially and academically. Often their behaviour is misunderstood, and they are labelled as defiant, disruptive and poor learners who are at high risk of disengaging from their education. Thus, it is clear there is a need for Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) to be implemented in a school setting to effectively support these assist these students and minimise the harmful effects of their trauma experiences. This resource acknowledges the crucial role research has in informing practice as a social worker; it will define trauma, explain its impact on children and young people, and outline TIC, highlighting ways to implement it in a school setting.

Hope for Healing

Mindfulness for High School students

This handbook is a ready-to-go 5-session program aligned with the Smiling Mind app. Smiling mind is an evidence-based mindfulness program launched in 2012 and is now considered Australia's go-to expert on youth-based mindfulness programs. This booklet is designed for Social Work in Schools (SWiS) students to facilitate mindfulness group work with students. This session guide includes a summary of what mindfulness is, why it is used, the many benefits and how it can be practised. In addition to this, five-session plans are included holding information and activities for teaching mindfulness to students. These lessons are designed using the evidence-based resource Smiling Mind. The classes are designed for SWiS students to pick the manual up and begin teaching shortly after becoming familiar with the contents. The beginning of this guide explains how the resource can be followed.

Mindfulness for High School students

Ready, Set, Bounce! A ready-to-go six-session basketball program for boys aged 9-12

Through this program, boys learn skills for life, including; emotion regulation, sportsmanship skills, developing higher self-esteem, skills for making new friends, resilience and the importance of including and encouraging others.

Ready, Set, Bounce! A ready-to-go six-session basketball program for boys aged 9-12

Year 6 transition program

This material in this handbook assists students in regulating emotions, expectations of moving to high school, and where to seek assistance and support. The program is constructed in the hope that these barriers can be broken down by building strong relationships early with students through teaching mindfulness and team-building skills.

Year 6 transition program