Pacific Islands Field Education (PIFE) 2017 REPORT
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Pacific Islands Field Education (PIFE) 2017 REPORT Social Sciences and Psychology PIFE PROJECT 2017 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Project Manager: Dr Jioji Ravulo, Senior Lecturer (Social Work) PIFE 2016 Team: Fiji: Brooklyn Matailevu, Torika Naqasima, Stacey Perkett, Karen Sullivan, Melaia Turagaiviu Samoa: Megan Hilly, Fuapepe Seiuli Tonga: Annuncia Alamoti, Darlene Chuon, Bridgette Kizana Vanuatu: Fatme El-Cheikh Issa, Jessica Lin PIFE Field Educators Fiji: Alfreda Vakarewakobau Samoa: Luagalau Foisagaasina Eteuati Shon Tonga: Lavinia Palei Partnered agencies and supervisors Fiji: Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation: Mr Rupeni Fatiaki FemLINKpacific Pacific: Sharon Bhagwan Rolls and Tabua Salato Prasad Homes of Hope: Alita Waqabaca, Turenga Nakalevu Operation Foundation: Peter Schultz & Joji Taqiritawa Samoa: Samoa Prisons and Corrective Services: Levao Rose Siaosi Tonga: Tongan Family Health Association: ‘Amelia Hoponoa Women and Children Crisis Centre: Ofa’ Likiliki Vaiola Hospital (Mental Health Unit): Dr Violet Erasito-Tupou Vanuatu: Department of Youth and Sports ISBN: 978-1-74108-464-1 © 2018 selection and editorial matter, Jioji Ravulo; individual reports, the contributors Western Sydney University respectively acknowledged the traditional owners of the lands in which we carry out this work across Oceania, and pay respects to First Nations peoples both past and present. 2 Western Sydney University PIFE PROJECT 2017 TABLE OF CONTENTS PIFE PROJECT MANAGEMENT 2017: REFLECTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS JIOJI RAVULO 5 TEAM FIJI Brooklyn Matailevu 9 Torika Naqasima 13 Stacey Perkett 16 Karen Sullivan 18 Melaia Turagaiviu 20 TEAM SAMOA Megan Hilly 23 Fuapepe Seiuli 25 TEAM TONGA Announcia Alamoti 29 Darlene Chuon 32 Bridgette Kizana 34 TEAM VANUATU Fatme El-Cheikh Issa 37 Jessica Lin 40 westernsydney.edu.au 3 PIFE PROJECT 2017 PIFE PROJECT 4 Western Sydney University PIFE PROJECT 2017 MANAGEMENT 2017: REFLECTION AND RECOMMENDATIONS Jioji Ravulo Further to such successes are the two journal practices were seen as vitally important, articles published on the PIFE program thus promoting a grounded understanding of the OVERVIEW far (with additional outputs currently under way in which someone positions themselves in peer review), and the commissioning of a new their own traditional ways on knowing, doing, Celebrating it’s 5th year, the Pacific Islands Pacific Social Work book under Routledge, being and becoming which can greatly assist. Field Education (PIFE) initiative continues to being developed with 35 co-authors assisting implement new and innovative approaches the writing up of 20 chapters that explore Within Samoa, students saw their placement to developing placement opportunities for key fields of practice alongside sections on as an opportunity to contribute in a social work students through Western Sydney Pacific policy and research. This collection, meaningful way to the agency through the University alongside its partnering institution, edited by myself, Tracie Mafile’o (Massey development of policies and models of service the University of the South Pacific. Since University) and Bruce Yeates (The University provision. In turn this dramatically changed 2012, thirty-two undergraduate students of the South Pacific) is the first of its kind, their own position on western culture vs the have successfully completed their final and we are all looking forward to seeing the world, and the need to be more competent in fourth year placement in the Pacific, with book published in the second half of 2018. working with cultural diversity and difference. the view to also support the development of teaching and learning practices on Across Tonga, the placement experience REFLECTIONS Pacific social work, and the desire to promoted social work as a profession, As part of their final 50 hours of placement, further enhance the evolving professional alongside the specific tasks, skills and students participating in the PIFE program identity of social work across Oceania. approaches to assist clients. It developed are asked to complete a reflection report. a stronger sense of self, and a deeper In 2017, the initiative saw 12 undergraduate Their contribution is based on six questions, connection to other similar collectivist students sent (our biggest cohort to date) which are evident across the 12 reports cultures. An importance of person-centred to 4 countries – Fiji (5 students), Samoa (2 within this publication. Key themes have approaches and the role of Pacific culture students), Tonga (3 students) and for the emerged from across participants and in everyday realities was also realised. first time Vanuatu (2 students). Four new provide deeper insights into the experience services were brought on board via a WSU of completing a social work placement in And in Vanuatu, the students experienced Agency Agreement, alongside the other five the Pacific. Additional information, including unique growth that occurred due to time existing services already working across the a Facebook live recording of the students spent with a very supportive host family, PIFE initiative. Positively, the School of Social presenting on their experience on placement, enabling both to become more accustomed Sciences and Psychology has embedded the can be found via our PIFE Facebook page: to the pace of work life in the Pacific region, initiative as a core program, promoting this www.facebook.com/PIFieldEducation. whilst still achieving effective outcomes. within its budget and structures to ensure long term sustainability and ongoing hope to In Fiji, students experienced levels of personal further support the growth and development and professional growth; better insights and of social work education that is underpinned understanding of the role of decolonising by a genuine approach to working with social work approaches to assist in meaningful diverse communities across the region. engagement with clients and community, including stakeholders. They were able to We also continue to celebrate positive connect to rural and regional communities, outcomes with The University of the South providing further insight into the needs Pacific, alongside burgeoning support from to such communities, alongside various the International Association of Schools of cultural protocols needing to be undertaken Social Work (IASSW) and other Universities in connecting and working collaboratively across Oceania keen to support growing with local community members. Some were interest in Pacific social work. This includes a able to operate more independently, both unique collaboration with Massey University, personally and professionally, and create who are also pioneering the advancement a better insight and understanding of the of Pacific social work through a symposium role of indirect social work. Development held at USP (Fiji) in March 2017, alongside of professional skills in being able to work the official launch of a Regional Resource effectively with involuntary client groups and Centre (RRC) that will further assist the overcoming possible hesitation in engaging development of relevant social work with such groups was achieved. In addition, education, practice, policy and research. understanding cultural perspectives and westernsydney.edu.au 5 PIFE PROJECT 2017 RECOMMENDATIONS ≥ Provide better options for homestay or ≥ Consistent contact to be promoted by Field The following has also been sourced directly individual accommodation, with view Educator with placement agency, including from the students and provide further to have recommendations of suitable other opportunities to connect with other insights on the way in which the program accommodation supplied ahead of time stakeholders in and around community operates. More so, it assists the ongoing ≥ Embed a learning activity in the learning ≥ Pre-placement confirmation from agencies review, and finessing of how the PIFE program contact that enables students to on the scope and range of activities aims to create sustainable approaches have time to connect with local client students will undertake; including to ensuring students are given a positive groups; especially if they are in a non- research and supervisory expectations learning experience. The following twelve direct social work role or placement We truly look forward to seeing the Pacific recommendations have been put forward, one ≥ Students to be reminded to adopt Islands Field Education (PIFE) initiative listed from each student, and will be further a flexible approach to undertaking continue into 2018 and are grateful for the profiled to form future outputs and outcomes an international placement; with ongoing support of Executive Staff in the in the implementation of the PIFE initiative: view to manage expectations with School of Social Sciences and Psychology, a willingness to be open minded Western Sydney University, and The University ≥ In country field educators to be of the South Pacific in implementing the co-located in same town or area, ≥ Opportunities for more than 2 people project across the region. Apart from enabling a more consistent approach per country (where possible) to assist in seeing the individual change occurring to accessing support and feedback harnessing learning experience alongside through the student’s experience, we are on a scheduled and needed basis. social interactions outside placement also now seeing a positive change in the ≥ Ensure homestay arrangements are ≥ Maintain communication lines between way in which social work