Field educators face professional boundary challenges when working with social work students who disclose or demonstrate problems amenable to social work interventions; this includes mental health challenges and disabilities. This organizational ethnography identifies common sources of boundary issues that impede educators’ efforts to effectively teach and mentor vulnerable students.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this session, attendees should be able to:
Identify professional dynamics and institutional arrangements that contribute to role conflict and boundary violations among field educators.
Explore the ramifications of professional boundary crossing for students facing mental health and disability-related challenges while enrolled in social work programs.
Develop strategies for linking vulnerable students to necessary resources while maintaining boundaries and promoting academic and professional success.
