We are delighted to be able to offer these enhanced services to our clients, and excited at the possibilities this program offers for enriched interdisciplinary learning.
As a poverty law clinic, our clientele are primarily very low income individuals who are experiencing a multitude of problems – some of these are legal, many are not. For this reason, it has long been a priority to find a way to include social work services at the clinic.
In January 2013, with the generous support of the University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, we launched our Social Work program at DLS. Through this unique partnership, MSW students are placed with the clinic and supervised by a MSW professional as part of the social work practicum training requirements.
Our model of interdisciplinary practice is one in which social work students and supports are provided to supplement and enhance the clinic’s legal services. Our Social Work students are involved in a number of the clinic’s activities, including case work, phone screening and referrals and community outreach. In terms of case work, Social Work students can offer a range of supports including identifying appropriate non-legal referrals, assisting clients in accessing these supports and supporting clients through the legal process.
We are delighted to be able to offer these enhanced services to our clients, and excited at the possibilities this program offers for enriched interdisciplinary learning.