Factors related to student satisfaction with child welfare field placements

One objective of partnerships between schools of social work and public human services is to increase the number of graduates who work in child welfare agencies. The study reported here surveyed 206 BSW and MSW students at 7 accredited Florida social work programs on their level of satisfaction with placements in child welfare agencies. The study measured satisfaction with 5 aspects of the placements, and explored relationships between these measures and student demographics, placement characteristics, and intent to work in a child welfare agency upon graduation. The author discusses the findings and their implications for partnership initiatives aimed at reprofessionalizing public human services.