McClelland Secondary College, Frankston

Placement Application Form

McClelland College are the proud winners of the 2013 Victorian Education Excellence Awards.

McClelland College’s programs are designed to encourage the highest standards of achievement in everything students undertake. School objectives are to provide each student with the essential skills required for life-long learning, and the breadth of outlook they will need to be successful in an evolving global community. Values of respect, tolerance and hard work are highly regarded and rewarded.

ACAP Counselling students on placement will experience a broad range of counselling and support work with teens and some over 18’s. This is a demanding and confronting placement and not for everyone. Student issues range from truancy through to violence, self harm and suicidal ideation. This secondary college has a great need for counselling services for their students. ACAP students work in teams with students from Monash and RMIT including Psychology, Medical, and Master of Counselling students.

To be successful on this placement, you need to be a strong a team player, sensitive to group dynamics and willing to be supportive of fellow students at all times. Students may also facilitate support groups for students and are encouraged to engage with parents and staff.

Students undertaking a placement at McClelland College are eligible to ‘count’ a maximum of 30 hours of counselling with under 18’s (though they may experience far more). In addition, a minimum of 10 hours must be gained counselling adults. If necessary, students will be required to undertake a third placement with adult clients in a non-school environment to fulfill the 40/46 hours of counselling course requirement.

Application process:

  1. Complete the Checklist for eligibility for student placement
  2. Read and agree to ACAP Placement Program Agreement
  3. Complete Questionnaire
  4. Attached Counselling Resume, Working with Children Check and Criminal Check
  5. Return Application to Wednesday 6th April 2016
  6. Shortlisted students will be contacted by Student Placement regarding an interview.

Checklist for eligibility for student placement

Please complete the following Application Form carefully and truthfully. Only students who meet the following criteria can apply a placement at McClelland Secondary College.

ACAP Student Number :
First Name :
Surname:
E-mail Address:
Mobile Number:
Course Name:

By applying for a placement at McClelland Secondary CollegeI confirm that I am a final year student and that:

Yes / No
I have received an email directly from Sonia Online informing me I am ready for placement
I have met the prerequisite units for student placement ( Refer to Sonia/Placement/Details Step 1)
Uploaded my Working with Children Check into Sonia Online
Uploaded my Police Check into Sonia Online

By applying for a placement at McClelland Secondary CollegeI agree to the following:

Yes / No
If short listed I will attend an interview at ACAP, Melbourne campus
If my application is successful, to commence placement late April/early May 2016 and:
Attend this placement across two consecutive ACAP terms continuously (Approx. 8 months) with ACAP clinical supervision units 1 & 2
Have no holidays or other leave planned during my placement
Miss no more than 2 days on placement without a doctor’s certificate
Attend placement either as outlined in the agency brief and agreed upon by the Placement Supervisor

ACAP Placement Program Agreement

The ACAP Placement Program requires students to work in conjunction with other staff members across a broad range of programs.

For this reason the following requirements are essential in all applicants. Failure to demonstrate high levels of each attribute will result in the placement being cancelled:

  • Professionalism and clear adherence to boundaries - students are given clear instructions by staff as to what their role is with clients. This is purely the role of counsellor and as such students must not advocate on behalf of the client for referrals etc.
  • 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
  • Professionalism and clear adherence to boundaries – Students are given clear instructions as to their role with clients. Therefore it is important to be mindful of professional boundaries in all interactions with clients.
  • Ability to work independently – Southwest Clinic is an extremely busy agency and students are expected to be able to work independently of their supervisor while following instructions precisely.
  • Punctuality – clients are scheduled with reference to available staff and rooms. Late arrivals by students are disruptive to this schedule.
  • Dress Code -Students are to comply with the dress code of their placement agency.
  • 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.

I have read and will adhere to the above for the duration of my student placement. Failure to demonstrate high levels of each attribute may result in the placement being cancelled

Student Signature: / Date:

Questionnaire

Please complete the following information:

Qualifications:

Institution
(e.g. Monash) / Course
(e.g. Bachelor of Education) / Level
(e.g. Degree) / Years studies
(e.g. 2005 – 2009)

Related Units:

I have or haven’t completed the following units (Delete as appropriate):

Bachelor of Counselling/Coaching StudentsCompleted

COUN2951 Counselling Children and Young PeopleYES / NO

COUN2051 Mental Health Policy and PracticeYES / NO

BESC3071 Group Work YES / NO

Graduate Diploma of Counselling StudentsCompleted

COUN5841 Family CounsellingYES / NO

COUN5221 Mental Health PracticeYES / NO

COUN5831 Groupwork Theory and PracticeYES / NO

Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy StudentsCompleted

COUN6341 Counselling Children and Young PeopleYES / NO

COUN6131 Mental Health CounsellingYES / NO

COUN6171 Group TherapyYES / NO

Day Availability:

Please indicate your preferred two placement days below.

Placement day / Available – Yes/No
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday

1.If applicable, please provide details of your 1st placement: (organisation, client base, tasks, any counselling? etc):

2.Why are you interested in this school placement?

3.What background or experience do you have that you feel has prepared you for this placement? (if any)

4.What skills or knowledge do you have that you feel you can contribute to the Welfare team at McClelland?

5.Describe your experience in working as part of a team:

6.What personality traits do you possess that you feel will suit this placement?

  1. What is your own experience of personal therapy? Please give details:
  1. Have you had any clinical supervision as a counsellor or student counsellor? If so, please give details:

Please return your completed application with Resume, Criminal Check
and Working with Children Checkto:

ALLOW 21 DAYS FOR PROCESSING AND REPLY

Please Note:

-Incomplete applications will not be considered

-Students must retain a copy of their application

-The school’s decision on which students are accepted for T2,16 is final.

1