Supervised Practicum, Part 2

The following global ideas guide the design and delivery of this course:

• Child and youth care assessment requires knowledge of general assessment criteria in order to effectively use a field based assessment tool.
• The development of effective professional communication skills requires both knowledge of the professional communication process and considerable practice in its use.
• An understanding of normative development is central to effective assessment and intervention.
• Practicum provides the opportunity for the student to become involved in professional practice, to discuss and contribute to professional knowledge and to participate in professional organizations.
• On practicum, students turn theory into practice by designing, organizing, selecting, accessing and evaluating appropriate activities with children and youth.
• Knowledge of human growth and development informs the practice of child and youth care.
• Skill in building relationships deepens through practice and supervision.
• Practicum provides the student with the opportunity to have direct experience with children, youth and families under the supervision of professionals at the placement and Douglas College faculty.
• The experience of working in a child and youth care setting provides the student with essential practical knowledge of the setting and with many aspects of the larger service delivery network.
• Observation of skilled, knowledgeable practitioners and thorough supervision, support the student to develop skilled child and youth care practice.