I am writing on behalf social workers past, present and future to discuss our concerns with a current reality within Bachelor of Social Work program that gatekeeps the profession and forces an incredible toll on practitioners in training. This is in reference to the 120 days field education needed to be eligible to complete the social work program and registration eligibility process. While the experience gained from field placement is valued in every practitioners kete it comes at a heavy cost to the student’s wellbeing. The biggest reason for this is that time spent on placement is carried out without remuneration to the student.

If a student is working while studying in the degree, they must take time away from that work to attend placement. This means a considerable loss in essential wages and a quality learning environment cannot be achieved. Seldom are benefits from study link enough to live on and scholarships are not guaranteed so part time work is often needed for those studying.

Students are therefore forced to work while on placement, causing significant negative impacts on the student’s mental health. With a high number of students enduring absolute exhaustion, their health and wellbeing is consistently compromised, practice becomes unsafe, the mana of the program is therefore in question.

There is a great number of agencies that benefit from the placement program as a substitute for paid employees. This means unpaid students are to carry out duties similar or equal to that of paid employees. These students can therefore be forgiven for acknowledging that the social work profession is built on the foundation of modern slavery.

A change needs to be made on all levels from practice, service agencies, educational institutions, and legislation to acknowledge the work that placement students undertake and the contributions they make to the agency and community.

As students become increasingly aware of their worth, the future of social work is threatened.