Application (A)
ACAP Placement Opportunities
Term 2, 2017
ACAP Student Number :First Name :
Surname:
E-mail Address:
Mobile Number:
Course Name:
ACAP Placement Opportunities Term 2, 2017
Counselling students are invited to apply for placement through ACAP Placement Opportunities. This is the recruitment process by which the School of Counselling fills the placement opportunities that we have secured with placement agencies. We expect the opportunities to be oversubscribed and highly competitive. All students must continue to search for their own placement agency throughout this process as places are strictly limited and some students will be unsuccessful. To apply for ACAP’s Placement Opportunities please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Eligibility for Placement Checklist
All students must first complete the Eligibility for Placement checklist below to ensure that you are ready for placement:
Tick (use Shift P)P
I am a final year student
I have completed the following pre requisite units (refer to http://www.acap.edu.au/current-students/course-guides/school-of-counselling/ for course structure)
· Bcoun / Bcoun(Coach) – All 8 first year units and 4 second year units including Counselling Theories 2 and Social, Legal & Ethical Frameworks
· GradDipCoun – All 6 first year units
· MCP – All 8 first year units
Bachelor of Counselling and / coaching: ACAP highly recommends that students complete Project 1 and 2 concurrently with their placement (if possible). Therefore you will need to complete Applied Social Research before commencing placement.
MCP students are encouraged to complete the unit Counselling and Psychotherapy Research prior to placement to enable them to undertake their Research Project within their placement agency if they wish to.
To be eligible for the ACAP Placement Opportunities I confirm that I:
Received an email directly from Sonia Online with my log in details
Prepared a professional resume using the sample from Sonia Online
Uploaded my National Police Check & Working with Children Check into Sonia Online
I will meet the following requirements:
If required, attend interviews on campus/at the agency between April and early May
Able to start placement from 15th May* (2017 Academic Calendar ) * Please note that a few agencies may require any earlier start
Attend this placement for the entire placement period (2 consecutive ACAP terms approx 8 months)
Enrol into and attend ACAP supervision units 1 & 2 for my course
I will not schedule personal leave during this placement period (e.g. holidays etc)
Comply with the Attendance Requirements for Placement, and Supervision and provide a medical certificate should I miss more than 2 days of placement
Attend placement either 1 or 2 days per week as described in the agency brief (see separate document)
Step 2: ACAP Placement Opportunities Agreement
Students on placement are preparing for employment in the industry. Therefore, demonstration of the following attributes is an expectation of all students on placement. Failure to demonstrate high levels of each attribute may result in the placement being cancelled. Students are expected to demonstrate:
· Professionalism and clear adherence to boundaries - students are given clear instructions by staff as to what their role is in the agency and with clients. In your role as a student counsellor, it is inappropriate to advocate on behalf of the client.
· Ability to accept, reflect on and integrate feedback and constructive criticism, from the agency supervisor, agency staff and ACAP placement and supervision staff. As per the Student Placement Code of Conduct, students must demonstrate willingness to accept feedback and take advantage of every opportunity to learn through interactions with all placement stakeholders.
· Completion of case notes to industry standards. All agencies should keep case notes for each client. If this is not the case, please inform your Placement Coordinator, who will discuss this with the agency. Ensure that you follow the agency’s practice. Should you have concerns about the quality or content of the case notes, discuss this with your clinical supervisor.
· Strong attention to detail – students must be aware of safety practices such as locking doors behind them. This is for the safety of students/staff and clients.
· Ability to work independently – students are expected to be able to work independently while following instructions precisely.
· Punctuality – Placement hours are 8.30am to 5pm (unless you have written approval from your ACAP Placement Coordinator to vary this rule). Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early and speak to your supervisor before you depart each day. Students must be punctual for all activities with clients to model respectful behavior. Do not allow your sessions with clients to run over time as this is disruptive to others.
· Dress Code - Students are to comply with the dress code of their placement agency. Generally, this would not include jeans, t-shirts, short skirts, uncovered midriff or tattoos and inappropriate footwear (thongs, high heels beyond a court shoe). Remember, your clients need to focus on their issues and should not be distracted by your attire.
· Workplace Health and Safety - Students are to comply with all health and safety practices of their placement agency. If the policy is not offered at orientation, please ask for a copy of all relevant policies, particularly emergency evacuations, and read them.
· Supervised Placement – As this is a supervised placement all work must be completed at the agency, including case notes. Any external visit must be accompanied by a staff member.
I have read and agree to the above and will take care to demonstrate professionalism for the duration of my student placement:
(Yes / No)Step 3: Read the Available Placement Opportunities
(Sonia/Placement/Details/Placement Opportunities)
Students must read the ‘ACAP VIC Available Counselling Placement Opportunities T2 2017’ document to understand the placement opportunities available and select the most appropriate agencies. Each agency has specific requirements and desired criteria – please pay close attention to these details. Please note you may not receive a student placement offer for your preferred agency if you do not meet their requirements.
SONIA
It is recommended that you use Google Chrome to access Sonia. The links to Chrome and Sonia are provided for you below:
Link to download Google Chrome: http://www.google.com/chrome/
Please then copy and paste Sonia link into Google Chrome browser:
Sonia: Sonia Online
To log in, please use:
Username: Student Number
Password: Same as Student Portal Password
Term 2, 2017 Placement Opportunities
These are located at: Sonia/Placement/Details/Placement Opportunities
‘ACAP VIC Available Counselling Placement Opportunities T2 2017’
Step 4: ACAP Placement Opportunities Preference Sheet
1. Read all the placement opportunities on offer on the ACAP Placement Opportunities document (refer: Sonia/Placement/Details/Placement Opportunities)
2. Select 3 agencies and rank them from 1 to 3 according to your preference
3. Fill in the days you are available to attend placement
4. Fill in the days and times you are available to be interviewed
5. Email completed Placement Opportunities Applications (A) & (B) with your Resume, Criminal Check, Working with Children Check and Head Shot to no later than Sunday 31st March.
Important Note:
· Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
· All applications must be typed. Handwritten applications will not be accepted.
· All 6 documents to be submitted must be scanned as single files (not as single pages). Documents scanned as single pages will not be accepted and will be returned. If you do not have access to a scanner that scans whole documents please try a library or Office Works.
Agency Preference:
Students must review the current placement opportunities on offer and preference their top three placement agencies below.
Note:
Students must not contact the Agency directly with placement enquiries. Contact your ACAP Placement Coordinator if you have questions.
Placement agencies have the final say on which students attend their agency for placement. For this reason, the placement that you are allocated is final. Please ensure that you read the details carefully and only apply for agencies where you would be happy to undertake your placement.
Agency / Essential Units/Criteria / Recommended Units / Preference ( 1 - 3)Dorothy Impey / · Family and Relationship Counselling/ Family Counselling
· Counselling in Loss/ Grief Counselling/ Trauma and Grief Therapy
St Vincents Hospital, Fitzroy / (Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy & Graduate Diploma of Counselling students only)
· Group Work Theory and Practice/Group Therapy
· Alcohol and Other Drugs / · Trauma/Grief/Loss
· Mental Health Policy and Practice/Mental Health Practice/ Mental Health Counselling
Griefline Community Services Inc. / · Trauma/Grief/Loss
· Mental Health
· Group Work
Chelsea Community Support / · Trauma/Grief/Loss
· Alcohol and Other Drugs
· Mental Health Policy and Practice/Mental Health Practice/ Mental Health Counselling
Centre for Emotion Focussed Practice / · Mental Health / · Crisis and Trauma Counselling/ Trauma Counselling
· Family and Relationship Counselling/ Family Counselling
· Counselling in Loss/ Grief Counselling/ Trauma and Grief Therapy
· Group Work / Groupwork Theory and Practice/ Group Therapy
Bethany Community Support / · Family and Relationship Counselling/ Family Counselling
· Mental Health Policy and Practice/Mental Health Practice/ Mental Health Counselling
Eating Disorders Victoria / · Group Work Theory and Practice/Group Therapy / · Mental Health Practice
Hillsong / · Mental Health / · Family & Relationship Counselling
· Crisis and Trauma Counselling
· Alcohol & Other Drugs
· Counselling in Loss & Grief
Ngwala – Toolamba (Shepparton) / · Alcohol & Other Drugs
· Mental Health / · Crisis and Trauma Counselling/ Trauma Counselling
Ngwala - - Winja Ulupna Women's Recovery Centre, St Kilda / · Alcohol & Other Drugs
· Mental Health / · Crisis and Trauma Counselling/ Trauma Counselling
Salvation Army – Bridge Program / · Groupwork Theory & Practice
· Alcohol and Other Drugs / · Mental Health
· Trauma Counselling
· Grief & Loss
Russian Ethnic Representative Council / · Knowledge of Russian Language & Culture / · Mental Health
· Grief & Loss
· Trauma Counselling
Carers Victoria / · Mental Health
· Group Work / · Grief & Loss
· Trauma Counselling
JobCo Employment Services / (Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy & Graduate Diploma of Counselling students only)
· Mental Health / · Counselling in Loss/ Grief Counselling/ Trauma and Grief Therapy
WISE Employment / (Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy & Graduate Diploma of Counselling students only)
· Mental Health / · Counselling in Loss/ Grief Counselling/ Trauma and Grief Therapy
The Hills Counselling and Psychology / · Mental Health
· Counselling in Loss/Grief Counselling/Trauma & Grief Counselling
Brentwood Secondary College/Thriving Youth Australia / · Counselling Children and Young People/Family Counselling / · Trauma/Grief/Loss
· Mental Health
· Group Work/Groupwork Theory and Practice/Group Theory
Manor Lakes College / · Counselling Children and Young People/Family Counselling/ / · Mental Health
· Counselling in Loss/ Grief Counselling/ Trauma and Grief Therapy
· Group Work/Groupwork Theory and Practice/Group Theory
McClelland Secondary College / · Counselling Children and Young People/Family Counselling/ / · Mental Health
· Counselling in Loss/ Grief Counselling/ Trauma and Grief Therapy
· Group Work/Groupwork Theory and Practice/Group Theory
Campaspe College / · Mental Health / · Counselling Children and Young People/Family Counselling/
· Group Work Theory and Practice/Group Therapy
· Must have prior counselling experience and strong writing skills
Step 5 - Day Availability
Note: All placement days are 8.30am to 5pm unless you have written permission from your ACAP Placement Coordinator to vary this rule. Permission from your placement supervisor is NOT sufficient.
Keep in mind that should you be successful in securing a placement through this process, the day/s you are offered is final. Therefore, you must plan all other activities and classes around your placement day. Review your Clinical Supervision options, and other timetable options to ensure that you ARE available on the days you indicate below.
Placement Day / Available (Yes/ No)Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Step 6: ACAP Interview Availability
These interviews will be conducted for all applicants.
NOTE: Interviews will be 15 minutes long. Dress for a business environment as you would if applying for a job with an agency. Please arrive 10 minutes early. (You do not need to bring your resume as we have a copy). PREPARE thoroughly. Read up on all the agencies and be ready to answer typical interview questions such as why did you choose this agency. Your performance in this interview will determine if you are shortlisted to go to the next interview.
Day / Time / Available (Add ‘Yes to as many as possible)Wednesday 5th April / 10.00am - 1.00pm
Wednesday 5th April / 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Friday 7th April / 10.00am - 1.00pm
Friday 7th April / 2.00pm - 4.00pm
Monday 10th April / 10.00am - 1.00pm
Monday 10th April / 2.00pm - 4.00pm
Wednesday 12th April / 10.00am - 1.00pm
Wednesday 12th April / 2.00pm - 4.00pm
Monday 17th April / 10.00am - 1.00pm
Monday 17th April / 2.00pm - 4.00pm
Application Process
Email this completed form to by:
Sunday 31st March 2017 and attach:
· Completed ACAP Counselling Placement Opportunities Application A
· Completed ACAP Counselling Placement Opportunities Application B
· Counselling Resume,
· Criminal Check
· Working Children Check
· Head Shot to by Sunday 31st March 2017
· NB: If you wish to apply for the opportunities at the following agencies*:
St Vincents Hospital – Optimal Health Program
Griefline Community Services
Carers Victoria
Brentwood Secondary College/Thriving Youth Australia,
please submit your application by Friday 24th March
Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Handwritten applications will not be accepted.
All 6 documents to be submitted must be scanned as single files (not as single pages). Documents scanned as single pages will not be accepted and will be returned.
Tick (use Shift P)P
Application Checklist
Step 1: Complete the Checklist for Eligibility for Student PlacementStep 2: Read and agree to ACAP Placement Opportunities Agreement
Step 3: Read the ACAP Available Placement Opportunities (refer Sonia/Placement/Details/Placement Opportunities)
Step 4: Complete ACAP Placement Program Preference Sheet
Step 5: Complete your Day availability for Placement
Step 6: Complete your availability for Interviews at ACAP
Step 7: Complete ACAP Placement Opportunities Application Forms (A) & (B)
Attached Counselling Resume (refer Sonia/Placement/Details/Placement Opportunities for a sample of a professional resume format and ensure that your resume meets the required standard)
Attached National Police Check, Working With Children Check and Headshot ALSO updated the documents into Sonia Online in the Documents tab
N.B. If you do not have a current National Police Check or Working with Children Check please attach evidence of application
Return Applications (A) and (B) with all attachments to by Sunday 31st March 2017 (unless applying for an agency on page 10 that requires appliations by Friday 24th March*)
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