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 purpose of SWB314 Human Services Practice Placement 2 is to prepare students for their employment as competent human services professionals. This unit enables students to further develop their assessment and intervention skills along with their own practice framework while undertaking 350 hours of work practice in a human services agency supervised by an experienced practitioner. The development of a Learning Plan (LP) will provide guidance in achieving the core competencies required for effective human service practice.

Students are able to undertake their placement in urban, regional, rural, national or international arenas. Overseas travel documents must be completed prior to approval being given for overseas placement.

Aims

This unit aims to provide students with a self-directed learning opportunity in which to develop their human services practice knowledge, skills and cultural sensitivity, particularly in the assessment and intervention areas; practice experience in a human services agency; an awareness of their personal knowledge, skills, experience and suitability for relevant career and industry employment opportunities; opportunities to integrate the learning achieved in theoretical units with their personal practice style and orientation, and practice realities and dilemmas; and awareness of, and preparation for, their ongoing professional development needs.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this unit, students' learning outcomes should be directly linked to the five core competencies for professional practice which were introduced to students in their initial professional practice unit. The core competencies are as follows:

1. Practices social welfare in an ethical manner in accordance with values and ethics of the profession (GV1 - 1.1, 1.7; GV2 - 2.3; GV4 - 4.3, 4.6);


2. Communicate with a broad spectrum of people & organisations using appropriate techniques and media (GV1 - 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 1.7; GV2 -2.3; GV3 - 3.3; GV4 - 4.6);


3. Assesses, plans, implements and evaluates programs, projects & work programs with clients (GV1 - 1.1, 1.2, 1.5, 1.7, 1.8; GV2 - 2.6);


4. Plan, organise & carry out work autonomously and as part of a team (GV1 - 1.1, 1.4, 1.5; GV2 - 2.3, 2.7; GV3 - 3.3; GV4 - 4.1, 4.2, 4.3);


5. Uses one's personal attributes to effect in dealings with clients, colleagues, employers and the general community and demonstrates an awareness of both formal and informal societal structures and systems and their implications for clients, workers and community services organisations. (GV3 - 3.2; GV4 - 4.2).
   
   Learning outcomes link to:
   ACWA Practice Standards: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7
   ACWA Field Placement Requirements: 3, 4, 5, 6a, b, c, d

   Content

   Students are exposed to practice realities and dilemmas in their first placement (SWB208 or SWB201), having explored one or more agency contexts, practice interventions and the skills required to practice in these areas. This unit continues that developmental process, albeit in a more intensive and directed manner.
   
   The unit consists of:
   
   

   • Three hundred and fifty (350) hours of direct practice experience in a human services agency with supervision by an experienced practitioner;
   
   
   • Student workshops that prepare students for placement and provide opportunities for ongoing support, assistance and direction in the student's learning. The workshops are included in the 350 hours.

   Approaches to Teaching and Learning

   University Workshops
   Attendance at university workshops is a compulsory part of the unit. These workshops are not included in the 350 hours. Students will attend one Pre-placement workshop prior to commencing placement and then a series of three workshops during the placement. The workshops will share information regarding topics related to safe and healthy professional practice, and may include: Workplace Health and Safety and risk assessment, practitioner self-care, and practice framework development.

   Assessment

   Formative feedback is provided, either written or oral, on each of the assessment items. Students are assessed summatively on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. The work performance is set at a level appropriate for a third year student practitioner.You will be provided with formative and summative feedback on the various items of assessment. You will be able to incorporate constructive feedback into your assessment as the semester progresses. Further details on feedback will be provided at the initial pre-placement workshop.

   Assessment name: Demonstration
   Description: Demonstration: Work-integrated learning & practice experience
   
   Students will be required to undertake 350 hours practice experience within one human service agency. Students will be required to develop a Learning Plan (LP) which will guide the development of the seven (7) core competences underpinning effective human service practice, an Agency Profile, which will identify areas of practice and knowledge needed and a written report reflecting on learning goal achievement and future professional development.
   
   Weight: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
   Relates to objectives: 1-5
   Internal or external: Internal
   Group or individual: Individual
   Due date: Progressive
   

   Assessment name: Project
   Description: Project: Resource Development
   
   Students, in negotiation with their supervisor will develop a resource for use by practitioners or service users.
   
   Weight: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
   Relates to objectives: 1-5
   Internal or external: Internal
   Group or individual: Individual
   Due date: End of placement
   

   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

   Suggested Text:
   
   Cleak, H., & Wilson, J. (2007). Making the most of field placement. (2nd ed.). Sydney: Thomson.
   Alston, M., & McKinnon, J. (2005). Social work fields of practice (2nd ed.). South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
   
   While there are no set texts for this unit, an extensive reference list can be found on the unit Blackboard site. Appropriate reference materials will be handed out at the student workshops. If students have received advanced standing for SWB201 (or its antirequisite) it would be useful to examine the reading list for that unit prior to the commencement of Human Services Practice Placement 2.

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   Risk assessment statement

   You will be required to participate in 350 hours of off-campus practice experience. When undertaking field education placements you are automatically subject to the Workplace Health and Safety Policies, Procedures and Regulations operating within these particular agencies. You are required by law to comply with these policies and procedures at all times. Measures undertaken to minimise risks encountered during the off-campus field education placement include:
   
   

   • Orientation to the agency
   
   
   • Awareness/familiarisation of specific risks and hazards associated with the particular agency setting to which student have been assigned
   
   
   • Adequate supervision by a qualified practitioner
   
   
   • Appropriate theoretical and practical skill preparation prior to commencement of the placement.

   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: 09-Apr-2013