Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

The professional human service role requires practitioners to demonstrate proficiency in applying relevant knowledge and skills in complex situations. In order to integrate and contextualise the theoretical knowledge students have obtained thus far in their human services course, they are required to undertake work integrated learning (WIL) where they will demonstrate satisfactory achievement of the Australian Community Welfare Association's seven core competencies. This introductory practice unit encompasses 200 hours of direct practice within one human services agency. The placement provides the beginning practitioner with opportunities to assess firsthand the manner in which human service practitioners implement strategies to assist service users. Students can examine the influences of practice methods, clients, staff, organisational, cultural and community factors on program and intervention processes and outcomes. They will undertake tasks and responsibilities of a student practitioner under the guidance and direction of an agency supervisor.

Aims

This unit aims to provide students with introductory real world experiences of the organisational context of human service practice and allow them to demonstrate appropriate and ethical application of relevant professional knowledge and skills while undertaking a variety of professional roles, tasks and responsibilities under direction of an agency supervisor.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. describe the organisational context of human service practice and how this is located within the broader sector and local community social care arrangements (GVS1 - 1.4, 1.7; GVS2 - 2.3);


2. engage with their own learning needs, develop an individual learning plan (LP) that addresses the seven core professional practice competencies in the human services and satisfactorily demonstrate these (GVS1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.9);


3. analyse and reflect upon human service organisations, intervention methods used and of their personal suitability to practice methods and contexts within the human service industry (GVS1 - 1.1, 1.4, 1.5; GVS4 - 4.5; and


4. develop an appropriate orientation to agency expectations of human service professionals (GVS1 - 1.7; GVS2 - 1.1, 1.6);

Learning outcomes link to:
ACWA Practice Standards: 11, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 2.2, 2.3, 2.6, 4.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 6.1, 6.2, 6.4, 7.3
ACWA Field Placement Requirements: 3, 4, 5, 6

Content

Students will initially engage with and develop an introductory level of achievement in the seven core professional practice competencies as required by the ACWA human service practice standards. The placement experience entails exposure to organisational practices and processes, service user issues and professional practice frameworks. During the 200 hours of work integrated learning students will also be provided opportunities to analyse and reflect on intervention methods and organisational processes while also considering their own personal suitability for human service practice. Students will also be supported to contextualise the learning achieved thus far in the human service degree. Underpinning student placement is the development and analysis of a Learning Plan (LP) to assist students to achieve their learning goals.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit provides a learning environment in which students can observe and experience the nature and scope of human service practice. Prior to placement commencing, students will attend two compulsory pre-placement workshops aimed at preparing students to undertake placement. During semester, students will attend three workshops which will provide peer and academic support, assistance with assessment and reflective exercises. Students will also be assigned a university Liaison Visitor (LV) who will provide support through face-to-face placement agency visits and regular on-line contact.

This unit is taught under a blended learning approach whereby students will access a range of learning materials via Blackboard including lecture notes, podcasts and readings. Discussion boards will enable students to share their placement experiences and learnings with their peers. Workshops will provide hands-on interactive activities aimed at gaining practical and real-life work-related skills, beneficial to human service practice.

Assessment

Assessment is linked to the ACWA core competencies and is graded satisfactory or unsatisfactory. The seven core competencies are graded along a five-point continuum ranging from unacceptable progress to advanced competence. This assessment report will then provide guidance for students undertaking SWB314 Human Services Practice Placement 2 in their final year of study.Students will be provided with both formative and summative feedback via face-to-face, telephone, email and Skype methods.

Assessment name: Placement Performance
Description: Placement performance (including a Learning Plan (LP), an agency profile and a written report.

The student will apply learning and demonstration of professional capabilities in a workplace or community context, underpinned by a LP. The LP will focus on the core competencies required for effective practice and act as a guide to achieving set goals. A 1000-1500 word written paper will provide a reflective overview of the placement experience.

Weight: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Relates to objectives: 1-4
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Progressive

Assessment name: Project (research)
Description: Students, in negotiation with their agency supervisor, will devise a small research project relevant to the agency, the agency practitioner and/or the agency service users. Dependent on the research project context, students will present their project to the agency practitioners and/or service users on their placement completion.

Weight: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Relates to objectives: 1-4
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Throughout Semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

O'Hara, A., & Weber, Z. (2006). Skills for human service practice. South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

Alston, M., & McKinnon, J. (2005). Social work: Fields of practice. South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

An extensive list of resources will also be available on the Blackboard site.

Risk assessment statement

Human Services practice does bring with it an element of risk. Students will gain knowledge of workplace health and safety during pre-placement workshops and prior to entering the practice field, and will undertake an agency risk management process on commencement of their placement. This will provide clarity and strategies in terms of addressing risk issues.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 17-Oct-2012