Placement Supervisor Coaching
The brochure covers a brief information about the Placement Supervisor Coaching program and other benefits in engaging with the Industry Placement Program. Click on the link Placement Supervisor Coaching Booklet to get access to the information.
Explore our comprehensive PSC Learning Outcome Mapping to understand the structure of the program and how it supports your professional development, helping you enhance your impact as a supervisor.
The Placement Supervisor Coaching Program
1. Facilitator:
2. Timeline:
- Delivered fortnightly, commencing 10 February [Details in the table below]
- 1.5hr online session [2pm to 3.30pm]
Program Objectives
The program provides placement supervisors with:
- A structured learning environment – A safe and supportive space to refine coaching skills and apply them directly in their supervision of student
placements. - Guidance from experienced professionals – An opportunity to learn from an experienced practice lead from a large human services agency, ensuring
practical and relevant insights.
Session Dates and topics
IPP Placement Supervision Coaching Program Overview
A Structured Framework for Supervising Social Work Students
Program Overview
The Industry Placement Program (IPP) Placement Supervision Coaching Program is designed to support Field Supervisors supervising social work students across the placement lifecycle. Delivered over five structured sessions across the semester, the program strengthens supervision capability, promotes high-quality learning experiences, and supports effective student-supervisor relationships.
This program aligns with:
- Australian Social Work education standards
- University field education requirements
- Best practice supervision models
- Trauma-informed, reflective, and person-centred practice
Program Aims
The program supports supervisors to:
- Deliver consistent, high-quality supervision
- Support student learning, wellbeing, and professional development
- Confidently manage feedback, performance, and challenges
- Integrate social work theory into real-world practice
- Strengthen placement outcomes for students, agencies, and the sector
Program Structure
Duration:
10 February – 7 April 2026 | 5 x 90-minute fortnightly online coaching sessions
Audience:
Field Supervisors supporting social work students on placement
Facilitator: Lisa Gardiner, Practice Development Specialist, Key Assets
Schedule:
Workshop 1: 10 February | 2pm – 3.30pm
Workshop 2: 24 February | 2pm – 3.30pm
Workshop 3: 10 March | 2pm – 3.30pm
Workshop 4: 24 March | 2pm – 3.30pm
Workshop 5: 7 April | 2pm – 3.30pm
Session 1: Placement Expectations & Agency Requirements
Date: 10 February 2026 Time: 2:00pm
Session Objectives
- Clarify placement expectations for supervisors and students
- Define professional standards and commitment requirements
- Establish clear processes for addressing non-compliance
Key Topics
- Professional conduct, attendance, communication, and documentation
- Placement hours, supervision requirements, and learning expectations
- Agency-specific policies, WH&S, confidentiality, and safeguarding
- Early intervention framework for placement concerns
Non-Compliance Framework
- Informal discussion
- Formal documented meeting
- University liaison involvement
- Placement review or modification
Post-Session Actions
Supervisors
- Send welcome email and key documents
- Schedule regular supervision sessions
- Finalise placement agreements
Students
● Review agency policies
● Complete mandatory training
● Prepare for first supervision
Session 2: Reflective Practice in Supervision
Date: 24 February 2026 | Time: 2:00pm
Session Objectives
- Strengthen participants reflective supervision skills
- Understand reflection-in-action and reflection-on-action
- Embed reflective practice into supervision conversations
Key Topics
- Reflective models (Gibbs, Schön, Kolb)
- Reflective questioning techniques
- Creating a safe, reflective supervision environment
- Linking reflection to learning and professional growth
Post-Session Actions
- Introduce reflective journals or logs
- Use reflective questioning in supervision
- Encourage theory-informed reflection
Session 3: Principles of Effective Supervision
Date: 10 March | Time: 2:00pm
Session Objectives
- Understand core supervision functions
- Apply structured and ethical supervision frameworks
- Balance administrative, educational, and supportive supervision
Key Topics
- Kadushin’s three functions of supervision
- Best-practice supervision principles
- Structuring effective supervision sessions
- Supervision agreements and documentation
Post-Session Actions
- Review or establish supervision agreements
- Implement structured supervision sessions
- Maintain supervision records
Session 4: Constructive Feedback & Difficult Conversations
Date: 24 March 2026 | Time: 2:00pm
Session Objectives
- Build confidence in providing constructive feedback
- Manage performance concerns professionally and early
- Balance support with accountability
Key Topics
- Feedback principles and models (SBI, BOOST)
- Delivering developmental feedback
- Managing challenging conversations
- Mid-placement reviews and action planning
Post-Session Actions
- Conduct mid-placement reviews
- Document feedback and action plans
- Schedule follow-up support
Session 5: Theory into Practice
Date: 7 April 2026 | Time: 2:00pm
Session Objectives
- Strengthen theory–practice integration
- Support students to apply social work theories confidently
- Develop critical thinking and evidence-based practice
Key Topics
- Applying systems, strengths-based, attachment, anti-oppressive, and crisis theories
- Using theory to guide assessment and intervention
- Reflecting on theory-practice learning across placement
Post-Session Actions
- Complete students’ final evaluations
- Support students to finalise learning portfolios
- Celebrate placement completion and achievements
Conclusion
The IPP Placement Supervision Coaching Program provides a practical, structured, and supportive framework for Field Supervisors. Through these five sessions, supervisors are equipped to confidently guide social work students, strengthen theory-practice integration, and contribute to the development of the future workforce.
Effective supervision is an investment in people, practice, and the profession.