ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the main developments in social work education and describes the present rather complex position. It discusses some of the problems that arise within the three main roles involved in this educational process: the fieldwork teacher, the academic staff, and the student. To identify the teacher of social work in institutions of higher education as ‘academic’ is to point to a problem and to invite a vigorous reaction from some of the teachers themselves. The educational task of the fieldwork teacher is not only time-consuming it is also complex, partly through the relationships entailed and partly because of the content of the fieldwork course. Social work objectives are characteristically described in the widest possible terms – to promote mental health, to prevent all known social ills, etc. The fieldwork teacher will consider the extent to which the student comes prepared for the supervisory session and is able to learn.
