Social Work Practice Placement During the Covid-19 Pandemic: Successful Experiences and Suggestions for the Future

The Covid-19 health emergency was a challenge for social work and field education of social work students, introducing the use of remote work. In the international context, field education underwent changes and adaptations, prompting the adoption of innovative and creative strategies. The Catholic University reviewed its methods of implementing practice placements, reorganising them from the beginning of the pandemic to the end of the course. This study presents some reflections based on the results of a qualitative research conducted by the Relational Social Work Research Center on the practice placements conducted during the academic year 2019 - 2020. The research focused on identifying the elements that made the practice placement experiences during the pandemic so positive that they were defined as “successful experiences”. The findings highlight the characteristics of these practice placements, particularly the specific knowledge and skills relevant to their success. Such as the ability to adapt, reflect critically, and seize the opportunities emerging from the health emergency. This article described and analysed the elements defining these practice experiences as successful, which could be adopted in future experiences, even in non-emergency conditions.