Depending on how your program operates you probably have several options.

1) Most social work programs have a field seminar that goes along with your field placement. You will want to notify the instructor of the situation.

2) Most social work programs have a faculty liaison (someone who goes out to the field site and represents the school) This person should also be notified.

3) All accredited social work programs have to have a director of field education – This is the person who ultimately has authority for this issue. Inform them of the situation – s/he can make changes in your placement.

4) Finally, the BSW director of your program can also be a useful person to bring in.

Ultimately, you are not being given a good field experience and one that appears to reflect social work. Your school will not want to support this placement and I’m sure they will help you by finding an alternate placement for you.

DA

You are in a sticky situation similar to what my students face when they are placed in a classroom with a horrible cooperating teacher. The first thing you need to do is talk to your supervisor – surely you have someone who has to come out and observe you during your field placement??? Can you explain what is happening in your placement and see if they will switch you? I know we always hesitate to move our students because we aren’t always sure what the problem is – sometimes it’s just a personality conflict and we want them to learn how to deal with it because they will probably encounter that when they do get a job, but other times, it really is a situation that warrants moving them to another teacher’s classroom.

Also, before you talk to your supervisor, you might want to document what you do for a week, so he/she can see that you aren’t being allowed to do the work that an intern should be doing during a field placement.

Good luck!