Placement Development Program (PDP)
Overview
The Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies (ACWA) is committed to enhancing the attractiveness and availability of Child and Family placements through our Professional Development Program (PDP). This initiative aims to engage, develop, and retain students in the Child and Family Sector by providing comprehensive support and practical experiences during their placements.
Key Components of the PDP:
1. Student Placement Induction: At the beginning of the placement period, ACWA conducts a thorough induction to orient students to their new roles and the sector
2. Rolling IPP at its core the Placement Development Program (PDP): Throughout the semester, ACWA offers a continuous development program for students. This program covers essential topics such as sector expectations, professional boundaries, legal context, documentation, and managing difficult conversations with families.
[Each fortnight an online module activity is provided to students to complete within 6 days (45 mins) on ‘Cloud Assess’ followed by attending the online group coaching workshop (1 hour) ]
3. Relevant Sector Training: The Centre for Community Welfare Training (CCWT) offers some students access to selected courses relevant to the Child and Family Sector, such as Motivational Interviewing and other applicable training.
4. Wellbeing workshop – ACWA will deliver a 1 hour wellbeing workshop by a wellbeing specialist covering compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, burnout, providing essential tools and techniques for effective self care and wellbeing. vicarious trauma and burnout and essential tools and techniques for effective self care.
5. Leaders Symposium: At the conclusion of the placement, ACWA hosts a symposium where the ACWA CEO and Senior Leaders speak to all students on IPP placements about challenges and positive aspects of the Child and Family sector, answer questions, and celebrate the students’ placement successes.
The PDP is designed not only to build capacity through field experiences but also to provide foundational development through engagement of group sessions and specialized training. We believe this comprehensive approach will significantly contribute to the growth and retention of skilled professionals in the Child and Family Sector.
“We look forward to your active participation and commitment to making a difference in the lives of children and families”.
Find below the full schedules for each Group that will be participating in the PDP with clear dates and time allocated to allow all students to plan ahead in your schedules during your placements.
