The Practicum Student Performance Support Plan is designed to provide a structured process for documenting and addressing concerns related to a student intern’s performance, professional behavior, participation, or progress during the field practicum. It identifies clear expectations, communication, and appropriate support for student intern improvement.

Field instructors should use this form when concerns arise that may interfere with the student’s ability to successfully meet the expectations and competencies of the field practicum. Concerns may include, but are not limited to:

• Difficulty demonstrating required social work knowledge, skills, or competencies
• Concerns regarding professional behavior, communication, or boundaries
• Attendance, punctuality, or participation concerns
• Difficulty completing assigned responsibilities or required documentation
• Challenges responding appropriately to supervision or feedback
• Ethical, safety, or confidentiality concerns
• Difficulty progressing toward established learning goals
• Patterns of behavior or performance that require additional support or intervention

 

When Should the Form Be Used?

Field instructors are encouraged to address concerns with the student as they arise and provide appropriate feedback and guidance. If a concern is significant, ongoing, or does not improve after feedback and discussion, the Practice Student Performance Support Plan should be completed to formally document the concern and establish a plan for improvement. The plan should focus on observable behaviors and performance expectations rather than assumptions or personal judgments. Documentation should be factual, specific, and professional.

The form should clearly identify:

1. The specific concern or performance issue
2. Examples or observations that support the concern
3. The expectations the student is expected to meet
4. Actions or supports that will be provided to assist the student
5. A reasonable timeframe for improvement or follow-up
6. How progress will be monitored and evaluated

 

Communication with the Field Liaison and Field Director

When a Practice Student Performance Support Plan is initiated, the field instructor must contact the student’s Field Liaison and the MSW Field Director to inform them of the concern. This communication is important to ensure that all parties are aware of the concern, understand the expectations outlined in the plan, and have an opportunity to provide guidance and support.

Field instructors should NOT wait until the concern becomes more serious before communicating with the Field Liaison and Field Director. Early communication allows the field team to work collaboratively with the student and agency to identify appropriate supports and determine whether additional intervention is needed.

The Field Liaison and Field Director may assist with:

• Clarifying field education expectations and student responsibilities
• Reviewing the concerns and supporting documentation
• Developing or revising the performance improvement plan
• Identifying appropriate supports or resources for the student
• Monitoring the student’s progress
• Determining whether additional action is necessary if concerns continue

 

Purpose of the Process

The Practice Student Performance Support Plan is intended to promote early intervention, accountability, transparency, and student success. Completion of the form does not automatically mean that a student will be removed from field or receive a failing evaluation. Rather, it provides a formal mechanism for identifying concerns, communicating expectations, documenting interventions, and giving the student a clear opportunity to address identified areas of concern. Termination of a student’s placement within an agency should be considered a last resort after appropriate efforts have been made to address and resolve the concerns.

All documentation should be completed objectively and maintained in accordance with the expectations and procedures of the social work program and field agency. Once completed, the form should be submitted to the Field Liaison and Field Director to ensure all parties are informed and to facilitate collaborative guidance and determination of appropriate next steps.