For Social Work Student enquiries:
Please contact Katherine Ogilvie katherine.ogilvie@rmit.edu.au
For Juris Doctor Student enquiries:
Please contact your Program Manager.
This placement has allowed me to gain a greater understanding of the benefits and challenges associated with multi-disciplinary practice, and particularly those which exist within a legal setting. Having always been interested in this space, I’m grateful for the opportunity to have had ‘on the ground’ experience in a thoroughly supportive, caring and rewarding environment. The dynamic nature of the placement is something I have greatly valued – opportunities to attend court, be involved in the SupPORT Pathways program, write support letters and visit the Centre for Innovative Justice have all been very different in scope, but equally stimulating and eye-opening.
I have truly appreciated the safe and supportive environment which my Field Educator, Kat Ogilvie, has created in our supervision sessions and am thankful for the many resources and tips which she has provided throughout the placement. I have also valued the consistent guidance and encouragement provided by my task supervisor, Mary Paterson. I have relished the opportunity to be amongst such a passionate and empathetic team at LACW, and leave this placement feeling truly inspired by their work!
– Ashlea Ephraums (Master of Social Work, FE2 student)
I have extremely enjoyed my placement at LACW and the unique range of learning opportunities that it has presented me with. I have appreciated the flexibility and openness to try different things within and outside of the organisation. I have developed my case management skills through coordinating and communicating with external social services, updating internal documents and processes and engaging with a range of different clients. LACW has also presented me with the opportunity to attend court, both women’s prisons, the Centre for Innovative Justice and engage in the SupPORT Pathways program. Throughout all these experiences I have been able to identify and implement different social work frameworks and approaches, as well as continue to develop my own practice through support from my supervisors. I have enjoyed learning about how social work operates within a legal setting and appreciate that LACW is strong in integrated practice and working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team. I have found it challenging yet rewarding to work within the criminal justice system when understanding the systemic issues and inequalities that exist within these systems and seeing the direct impacts these flawed systems have on criminalised women. Although it has been challenging to work within these constraints, I have witnessed the great work LACW is doing in the system to fill these gaps. I look forward to putting the wealth of knowledge, skills and experience I have gained on placement into practice.
This placement has been amazing and such a great way to finish my degree. It has prepared me to the best of my ability.
– Natasha Pignatelli (Master of Social Work, FE2 student)
