History and Development

The Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS) has a long history of encouraging academic staff members to be committed to direct social work practice and counselling practice. The practice centre was first established in 1991 and has provided consultations and direct practice support to numerous social service agencies since then. The practice centre is renamed as “Professional Practice and Assessment Centre (PPAC)” and has been actively seeking partnerships with public and social service organizations since 2004. Over the years, PPAC has endeavored to consolidate and promote practice knowledge of various intervention approaches, such as Solution-focused Brief Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Systemic/Collaborative Family Therapy, Emotionally-focused Therapy, and Mindfulness through research, training and consultancy work.

Mission Statement

PPAC is devoted to actualizing our departmental mission of “advancing knowledge and professional practices, promoting social justice and community betterment, and preparing leaders in human services delivery.”

Expected Social Impact

PPAC serves as a research and practice nexus for human service professionals locally and globally.

Aims

1. To support faculty staff members in the direct practice of social work and other helping professions;
2. To strengthen the theory-practice link and indigenization of practice-oriented knowledge, which enhances teaching and learning;
3. To network local helping professionals and provide support and resources to them;
4. To facilitate practice-oriented knowledge building and transfer through practice, research, and publication.

Deliverables

1. Counseling Net
2. Collaborative practice research
3. Publication on professional practice related topics
4. Casework and group work with individuals and families
5. Professional consultation on social service providers and helping professionals;
6. Specialized training to social workers, human service professionals, and groups with special needs.