Field Education Safety
The University of Montana School of Social Work (UMSSW) Field Education Program has adopted the following policies and procedures regarding the safety of social work students in practicum placements. This policy acknowledges that certain risks and potential dangers may be inherent in professional social work practice.
Students in field education settings must pay close attention to their overall safety and remain aware of their environment. Dangerous situations and threatening behaviors are not always predictable and may be influenced by many factors. Professional social workers must assess potentially unsafe situations, consider contributing factors, and respond in ways that support the safety of clients, students, colleagues, and others.
All social work students are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with these policies before beginning practicum and to review agency-specific safety policies and procedures with their Agency Field Instructor (AFI) before beginning direct service work.
I. Policy
a) The UMSSW is responsible for providing all students, Agency Field Instructors, and field liaisons with general written information about safety in field education settings and practicum placements.
b) The UMSSW expects each agency to be responsible for orienting practicum students to the safety policies and procedures of that agency and its specific practice contexts. Such orientation should include, but not be limited to, discussion of safety issues in the community, within agency buildings, with clients in general, and with clients who may present safety concerns, including family members or others living in shared residences. Risk-reduction guidelines and procedures for responding to safety or security concerns should be reviewed at the beginning of the placement, with opportunities for questions and discussion as needed. Agencies should also address the security of students' personal belongings while at the practicum site.
c) UMSSW students should not be required to engage in or remain in assignments or placements where they feel physically at risk. The UMSSW urges agencies to provide students with safety accommodations comparable to those provided to agency staff and, when necessary, additional accommodations appropriate to a student's role. If a student's safety concerns interfere with the learning process, the Agency Field Instructor should contact the field liaison and/or Director of Field Education to facilitate prompt review of the concerns and identify an appropriate resolution.
II. Procedures
a) If a student is personally threatened, harassed, or hurt in an incident, the student is responsible for notifying the Agency Field Instructor immediately. The Agency Field Instructor, main agency contact, or agency/program director should then contact the Director of Field Education immediately to discuss what actions the agency and UMSSW should take to support the student's physical and emotional well-being following the incident and on an ongoing basis.
b) The Director of Field Education will document the incident in Sonia and the steps taken to address it. The Director of Field Education will then meet with the student and field liaison to assess the student's readiness to return to the practicum placement and discuss any other relevant concerns. As needed, the Director of Field Education may notify the UMSSW Chair about the incident or related concerns.
III. Safety Guidelines for Students in Practicum
A. Agency Protocol
Students should become familiar with the practicum agency's safety and security protocols for office-based work, community-based work, and home visits before beginning the placement. If an agency does not have formal safety or security policies, the Agency Field Instructor and student should discuss potential safety concerns and appropriate procedures for the setting.
The Field Placement Safety Checklist is available to support this review.
Students are encouraged to discuss safety questions and concerns regularly with their Agency Field Instructor, field liaison, and practicum seminar instructor. Specific safety procedures will vary based on the agency, practice setting, clients served, and circumstances of the situation.
B. Security of Belongings
Students should have a secure place to store coats, backpacks, handbags, cell phones, laptops, and other personal belongings while at the practicum site. When possible, belongings should be stored in a locked desk, cabinet, or other secure location.
Students should not leave bags or personal items visible and unattended, including in closed offices or vehicles. Valuables should not be brought to the practicum site unless necessary. Neither the practicum agency nor UMSSW can be responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal items.
C. Safety When Working With Clients
Students should consult with their Agency Field Instructor when preparing for situations that may present safety concerns, including medical emergencies, risk of suicide or homicide, potential abuse of others, the presence of weapons, substance use, or other circumstances that may affect the safety of the client, student, or others.
Students should follow agency protocols, use supervision, and seek assistance whenever they are uncertain about how to respond to a potentially unsafe situation.
D. Safety During Office Meetings
If a student has concerns about meeting with a client, the student should discuss the situation promptly and fully with the Agency Field Instructor. Based on that discussion, the student and supervisor may determine that the student should not meet with the client or that additional safety measures are necessary.
When planning a meeting that may present safety concerns, consider the client's current circumstances, the physical layout of the meeting space, access to exits, seating arrangements, whether another staff member should be present, the time of the appointment, and the availability of backup assistance.
A student should never meet alone with a potentially dangerous client without someone at the agency knowing the client, appointment time, and meeting location. Students should keep Agency Field Instructors and other appropriate supervisors informed of their schedules while at the practicum site.
E. Travel by Car
Students traveling by car for practicum should become familiar with their destination and route before traveling to unfamiliar areas. Students should remain alert, secure vehicle doors and windows, and avoid leaving valuables visible inside a vehicle.
Students transporting clients should follow agency policies and discuss transportation expectations with their Agency Field Instructor. When leaving the agency for practicum-related travel, students should make sure an appropriate agency staff member knows where they are going and when they expect to return.
F. Travel by Foot or Public Transportation
Students traveling on foot or by public transportation should become familiar with their route in advance, remain aware of their surroundings, and carry only necessary personal belongings. Students should consider clothing and footwear appropriate to the environment and the activities involved in the placement.
G. Home Visits
Students should review available information about a client and discuss potential safety concerns with their Agency Field Instructor before conducting a home visit. Depending on the circumstances, alternatives may include meeting in a neutral location or conducting the visit with another worker.
Someone at the agency should know the student's itinerary. If a student feels threatened or believes that entering or remaining in a residence would be unsafe, the student should prioritize safety, leave or discontinue the visit when appropriate, and contact the Agency Field Instructor or agency according to established procedures.
H. Harassment
Students in practicum settings may experience harassment from a client, colleague, supervisor, or other individual. Harassment may include bullying, intimidation, insults, derogatory comments, unwanted sexual advances, or other conduct that contributes to a hostile environment.
Students should promptly report concerns about harassment to their field liaison and/or the Director of Field Education. The School of Social Work will provide support and respond to concerns in accordance with University and Field Education policies. Depending on the circumstances, responses may include working with the practicum agency to address the concern, modifying assignments, or discontinuing a practicum partnership when an unsafe or hostile environment cannot be adequately resolved.
I. Health Safety
Students should become familiar with potential health and biohazard risks associated with their practicum setting and follow all agency-specific health, infection-control, personal protective equipment, and workplace safety requirements.
Students should discuss questions about health or exposure risks with their Agency Field Instructor and follow the agency's procedures for reporting and responding to workplace exposures or other health-related incidents.
IV. Post-Incident Protocol
If an incident occurs in which a student is personally threatened, harassed, or hurt, the Agency Field Instructor, main agency contact, or agency/program director should contact the Director of Field Education immediately to discuss what actions the agency and School should take to support the student's physical and emotional well-being.
The Director of Field Education will document the incident in Sonia and the steps taken to address it. The Director of Field Education will then meet with the student and field liaison to assess the student's readiness to return to practicum and discuss any additional concerns or support needs.
V. Mandated Reporting and Title IX
In addition to the procedures outlined above, the Director of Field Education serves as a mandated reporter and is required to promptly report instances of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, or retaliation that come to their attention to the University of Montana's Office of Conflict, Resolution, & Policy (CRP).
After receiving a report, the CRP Office may contact the practicum student to provide information about available resources and supportive measures and to discuss possible resolution options, as applicable. Practicum students may also contact the CRP Office directly.
Learn more about Equal Opportunity and Title IX at UM.
The University of Montana School of Social Work thanks Simmons School of Social Work for sharing safety-policy materials that informed the development of this policy.
Last reviewed: October 2026