Units
Social Work Assessment and Intervention
Unit code: SWN009
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
This unit extends students’ skills developed in professional communication, case, group, and community work, to apply assessment and intervention skills at the micro, messo, and macro levels of practice. The unit explores a range of assessment methods, intervention skills and a professional practice framework to interpret the particularities of the client’s life circumstances. The practice skills of assessment, planning, intervention, make decisions and judgments, solve problems, and promoting change at the relevant level of practice to enhance client well being are personalised in real life contexts.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 1 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
At the core of social work knowledge and skill is the capacity to make assessments and decide on the most appropriate situational client intervention. Intervention almost always involves individuals, groups and communities experiencing disadvantage and vulnerability and is therefore characterised by disparities in authority and power. Assessment and intervention must therefore incorporate planning and actions which are highly professional and ethical, and based on principles of social work practice, and practical experience with client collaboration and partnership for engagement and empowerment.
Aims
The aim of this unit is to acquire holistic assessment skills, determine the appropriate intervention at all levels of practice and act in ways which are self aware, analytical, ethical and reflective.
Objectives
On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- Articulate the disparities in authority, power and legal dimensions in social work assessment and intervention
- Critically analyse/evaluate and apply assessment knowledge and skills across the micro, messo, and macro levels of practice
- Critically analyse and apply intervention knowledge and skills across micro, messo and macro levels of practice
- Justify frameworks of assessment and intervention incorporating social work practice principles including client participation, engagement and empowerment, and ethical standards.
AASW Education and Accreditation Standards -2.5; 3.1; 3.4; 3.5; 4.1.1; 4.1.3; 4.1.4; 4.1.5; 4.1.6; 4.2.1; 4.2.2
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; 2.5
Content
This unit covers the following:
- authority and power in social work assessment and intervention
- ethical standards and principles in assessment and intervention
- assessment methods relevant to the micro, messo and macro contexts of practice
- intervention methods and skills across messo and macro contexts of practice
- evidence and psycho-social practice and assessment
- legal dimensions of assessment and intervention
- cross-professional assessment and intervention
- evaluating outcomes from assessment and intervention.
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
This unit focuses on practice skills to connect theory, knowledge, skills and work place practice. Small group discussion, role plays, and case scenario analysis will assist the students with both skill development and assessment tasks.
Group Participation
Description: Throughout the semester you will participate in online discussions and blogs. You will discuss selected papers which will be provided in the CMD throughout the semester. You will be required to provide an alternative perspective from a theory that has been selected for the assignment.
Relates to learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4.
It is compulsory that you attend the 3 day intensive.
Assessment
Students will be supported to develop skills relevant to achieving their assignments through multiple opportunities to practice assessment and intervention skills, and presentation skills during online blogs
Peer discussion will be supported and encouraged through the provision of small group learning activities online.Ongoing feedback from peer discussion of key learning materials will contribute to the development of practice frameworks incorporating direct practice knowledge and skills.
Criterion reference sheets will provide written feedback following each Assessment task.
Assessment name:
Report
Description:
Based on a practice scenario, you will undertake, and write a psycho-social assessment report, as if you are a social work practitioner in an agency. You are also required to review ethical and professional issues of authority, power and legal dimensions involved in the assessment process as a separate addendum to your report.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 4
Weight:
50%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 5
Assessment name:
Case Study
Description:
Application of theory
Case Study. Based on interview material; autobiography; project or evaluation studies; students are required to select one option for an in-depth case study.
Students will demonstrate how theory informs practice - assessment and intervention. Students are also required to review ethical and professional issues involved in the intervention process.
Relates to objectives:
2,3,4
Weight:
50%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 12
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
It is not mandatory to purchase these texts, however the following texts are extremely useful resources that provide the information that is referred to during the course, as well as being useful to your professional library.
Texts
Dewan, M., Steenbarger, B., and Greenberg, R. (Eds). (2012). The Art and Science of Brief Psychotherapies. An Illustrated Guide. American Psychiatric Publishing. Washington.
Lindsay T. (ed) (2009). Social Work Intervention. Learning Matters Ltd. UK.
Martin R. (2010). Social Work Assessment. Learning Matters Ltd, UK.
Walker, J. & Crawford K. (2010) Social Work and Human Development. Third Edition. Learning Matters Ltd. UK.
Recommended texts for reference
Bowles, W., Collingridge, M., Curry, S. and Valentine, B. (2006) Ethical Practice in Social Work: An applied approach. Crows Nest: Allen & Unwin.
Connolly, M. and Harms, L. (editors). (2009) Social Work: Contexts and practice. Second edition. South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
Greene, R.R. (2007). Social Work Practice: A risk and resilience perspective. Belmont, CA: Thomson Brooks/Cole.
Hepworth, D., Rooney, R., Dewberry Rooney, G., Strom-Gottfried, K., and Larsen, J. (2010). Direct Social Work Practice. Theory and Skills. Eighth Edition. BROOKS/COLE Cengage Learning.
Maidment, J. and Egan, R. (editors). (2004). Practice Skills in Social Work & Welfare: More than just common sense. Crows Nest: Allen & Unwin.
Martyn, H. (editor). (2000). Developing Reflective Practice: Making sense of social work in a world of change. Bristol: The Policy Press.
O'Connor, Wilson, Setterlund and Hughes. (2008) Social Work and Human Service Practice 5th edition. Frenchs Forest: Pearson Education.
Risk assessment statement
Students are advised that some content and experiences may be distressing. Appropriate measures will be in place for debriefing and closure.
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: 14-Dec-2012
