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

To practice ethically, competently and accountably, social work role practitioners demonstrate proficiency in applying relevant knowledge and skills in complex situations, meet the six AASW Practice Standards and comply with the Code of Ethics. In order to integrate and contextualise the theoretical knowledge students have obtained thus far in their course, this unit requires students to undertake work integrated learning (WIL) where they will demonstrate satisfactory achievements of the areas outlined in their PLP. They must competently apply strategies to assist service users, engage in critically reflective practice, enhance their personal practice framework, and 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:

1. A self-directed learning opportunity to address all the specific requirements of the AASW six practice standards and to demonstrate their social work practice knowledge, skills, and cultural sensitivity, particularly in the assessment and intervention areas to a standard commensurate with a beginning practitioner;


2. Practice experience in a beginning social work practitioner role and agency;


3. Opportunities to integrate the sophisticated learning achieved in theoretical units thus far with their personal practice style and orientation, and practice realities and issues;


4. Frameworks for effective social work interventions, including reflective practice;


5. Awareness of, and preparation for, their ongoing professional development needs; and


6. An awareness of their personal knowledge, skills, experience and suitability regarding career and sector employment opportunities.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this unit, student's learning outcomes [consistent with their Professional Learning Plan (PLP)] should be directly linked to and demonstrate robust and competent achievements across the six AASW core practice standards and the AASW Code of Ethics (2010). Specifically, they ashould be able to:

1. effectively demonstrate knowledge, skills and values relating to interpersonal communication, interviewing, case planning, referral, advocacy, negotiation, conflict resolution as appropriate to the placement (GVS1 and 2);


2. demonstrate appropriate knowledge, skills and values for engagement with clients from Indigenous, culturally and ethnically diverse backgrounds, marginalised minority groups and those experiencing vulnerability as appropriate to the placement (GVS1 - 1.1, 1.2, 1.4; GVS2 - 2.1, 2.2);


3. demonstrate knowledge, skills and values in case work and case management including use of self, supervision, debriefing and closure as appropriate to the placement (GVS1 - 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5; GVS2 - 2.3);


4. demonstrate knowledge, skills and values for case noting, data collection and management, and reporting for court and tribunal proceedings as appropriate to the placement (GVS2 - 2.3, 2.5);


5. demonstrate knowledge, skills and values consistent with AASW ethical standards and professional practice principles and standards (GVS1 - 1.1, 1.3; GVS4 - 4.7);


6. apply knowledge, skills and values in research practice to address the needs and aspirations of individuals, groups and communities in society as appropriate to placement (GVS1 - 1.2, 1.3 1.4 1.5; GVS2 - 2.3);


7. develop and present a professional practice framework which integrates learning from Social Work Field Education 1A&B (GVS3 - 3.1; GV4 - 4.7).

Learning outcomes link to:
AASW Education and Accreditation Standards - 2.1.2; 2.1.3; 2.1.4; 3.1; 3.2; 3.3; 3.4; 3.5; 3.6; 4.1.1; 4.1.2; 4.1.3; 4.1.4; 4.1.5; 4.1.6; 4.2.1;
4.2.2 - As relevant to Placement
AASW Practice Standards for Social Workers - 1.1; 1.2; 1.3; 1.4; 1.5; 1.6; 1.7; 1.8; 1.9; 1.10; 3.1; 3.5. 3.9; 4.8; 4.9; 5.4; 6.3; 6.5 - As relevant to Placement

Content

This unit enables students to further develop their assessment and intervention skills along with their personal practice framework while undertaking 245 hours of practice in a social work agency supervised by an experienced social work practitioner. Students will be exposed to practice realities and issues having undertaken skills and practice-based units, and their initial placement experience during their first three years of study. This unit continues that developmental process, albeit in a far more intensive and directed manner that results in them being fully prepared for the requirements and challenges of professional social work practice across a variety of practice contexts, utilising generic and generalist practice skills, methods and approaches.

This unit of 245 hours continues the process of undertaking the second Social Work Field Education placement and should build on the PLP developed in t Social Work Field Education 2A and their achievements to date in this and previous placements, and ensure that they can demonstrate competence in all aspects of the AASW Practice Standards and Code of Ethics. Students are required to hold a valid Blue Card (Working with Children Check) and in QHealth placements, provide evidence of Hepatitis B immunity, before commencing placement. The unit consists of:

• 245 hours of direct practice experience in a social work agency under the supervision and direction of an experienced social work practitioner who will provide formative and summative feedback on the student's placement performance;


• Pre, during and post placement compulsory workshops that prepare students for placement and provide opportunities for ongoing support, assistance and direction in the student's learning. The workshops require students to complete/submit all activities, work collaboratively and to link theory with practice and are included in the 245 hours;


• Agency liaison visits by a member of the university staff or an experienced professional practitioner to provide support in the field context to both student and supervisor; and


• Peer support, both informal as directed by the student, and formal as part of the university workshop activities including participation in an on-line Blackboard Discussion board with their peers and entailing reflections of learnings and activities.


• Formative feedback to students is provided, either written or oral, on each of the workshop activities.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Explanatory note: All students are strongly encouraged to complete their final SW placement in one commitment of 490 hours (Placement 2A & 2B) at 3-5 days weekly. Placement 2A and 2B are configured to permit students to undertake the total placement hours over 2 consecutive semesters where appropriate. Agreement of the Placement Coordinator is required for this.

The education and professional preparation of social work practitioners may be viewed from a number of perspectives. The framework of this particular program reflects a commitment for professional practice to be:

• An articulated education (namely, education that actively articulates student learning on placement with student learning from the University context).


• An educational endeavour (a process actively informed by theories of adult education and experiential learning).


• A role governed process giving the key players in the process recognised tasks and particular contributions to make.


• This unit focuses on integrating the practice and theoretical aspects of the Social Work course. Students undertake experiential learning strategies in their SW agency setting in conjunction with the interactive workshops.


• In light of the off-campus placements, this unit fully utilises Blackboard capabilities to provide access to key reading and support materials. There is also a requirement by students to participate in a Discussion board which allows students to share their experiences and perspectives about their practice roles with their peers in a supportive environment.


• Students must enrol in the unit and attend a planning/preparation workshop approximately five months prior to the commencement of placement. The focus of this workshop is to provide students with university and agency requirements and expectations regarding their placement. All pre-on and post placement workshop have compulsory full participation and attendance requirements.


• In consultation with their agency supervisor and their university liaison person, students develop an individual PLP, which sets out key learning goals, objectives and strategies consistent with the AASW Practice Standards. The flexibility of the learning plan enables the student's learning needs to be identified and addressed and strategies to be directed toward meeting areas of particular relevance or interest. The learning plan includes a Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) survey to be completed with the agency supervisor and noted in the learning plan against the relevant practice standards. The learning plan may also accommodate a project or piece of research developed in concert with the agency supervisor and agreed to by both student and supervisor. The project must be purposeful to the agency and a one page summary on completion included in the student's e-portfolio.The learning plan commences at the start of placement and is submitted to QUT at the final university workshop.

Assessment

Assessment in this unit is based on your performance during field placement. Performance in the unit will be graded as Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U). All performance requirements must be completed to a satisfactory standard to achieve an overall satisfactory grade for the unit. This is a designated unit. If you fail to successfully complete the assessment requirements to a satisfactory standard you may be eligible for a period of probation or exclusion.You will receive regular feedback on your performance during the placement via discussions with your supervisor which will include your progress in relation to the AASW Practice Standards and Code of Ethics, and your Professional Learning Plan.

Assessment name: Placement Performance
Description: During the field placement for this you will be required to demonstrate a range of knowledge, skills and values that are commensurate with the unit learning outcomes. The level required is set at AASW level 1, 2 and/or 3 of achievement appropriate for a 4th year, final placement student practitioner. Summative assessment is through mid and final placement reports. On the basis of these reports (and where necessary, external social work supervision reports and liaison visit reports) you will be awarded a Satisfactory / Unsatisfactory grade for this unit. You must also satisfy the 100% attendance requirement for this field placement (245 hours).
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7.
Weight: 100%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid/End Clin Placemt

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

Cleak, H. & Wilson, J. (2007). Making the most of field placement (2nd ed.). South Melbourne: Thomson.

Payne, M. (2005). Modern social work theory (3rd ed.). Basingstoke: Palgrave.

Trevithick, P. (2005). Social work skills: A practice handbook. Buckinghamshire: Open University Press.

Risk assessment statement

You will be required to participate in 245 hours of off-campus work integrated learning 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 and also QUT WHS requirements. 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 is required to the agency Awareness/familiarisation of specific risks and hazards associated with the particular agency setting to which students have been assigned.


• Adequate supervision by a qualified social worker is provided to minimise risk of unsatisfactory performance.


• Appropriate theoretical and practical skill preparation prior to commencement of the placement is essential.

INSURANCE COVER:
Information regarding insurance cover for students undertaking university-approved activities within Australia is available at http://www.frp.qut.edu.au/services/insurance/student_accident.jsp

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