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

Professional Practice is a core component of social work education as required by the AASW and detailed in the AASW Education and Accreditation Standards, AASW Practice Standards for Social Workers: Achieving Outcomes and the AASW Code of Ethics. These documents include the knowledge, skills and values which students must demonstrate in order to graduate and to gain accreditation as social workers. This Professional Practice unit provides students with an opportunity to develop and demonstrate a range of capabilities which integrate social work knowledge, skills and values within in a professionally supervised field education social work context. It has the status of a full academic unit and is a cooperative endeavour between the University, the student and field educators / practitioners.

Designated unit

This is a designated unit. Designated units include professional experience units, units requiring the development of particular skills, and units requiring the demonstration of certain personal qualities, and are deemed to be critical to progress in your course. At the end of each semester, if you fail to achieve a passing grade in this unit you may be eligible for a period of probation or exclusion.

Aims

The generic aim of this unit is to provide a professionally supervised social work experience which requires students to integrate knowledge, skills and values into practice. It aims to promote reflective practice and the continued development of professional practice frameworks.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, and in accordance with standards described in SWN011 Professional Practice 1 Guidelines, Standards and Outcomes and objectives identified in their Personal Learning Plan, students should be able to:

1. demonstrate knowledge, skills and values relating to interpersonal communication, interviewing, case planning, referral, advocacy, negotiation, conflict resolution
2. implement knowledge, skills and values in their engagement with clients from Indigenous, culturally and ethnically diverse backgrounds, marginalised minority groups and those experiencing vulnerability
3. apply knowledge, skills and values of case work and case management including use of self, supervision, debriefing and closure
4. demonstrate knowledge, skills and values for case noting, data collection and management, and reporting for administrative, governance and, where relevant,court and tribunal proceedings
5. apply knowledge, skills and values consistent with AASW ethical standards and professional practice principles and standards
6. synthesise knowledge, skills and values in research practice to address the needs and aspirations of individuals, groups and communities in society
7. develop and justify your professional practice framework which integrates learning from Professional Practice 1.

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

Content, activities and processes for this unit are in accordance with SWN011 Professional Practice 1: Guidelines, Standards and Outcomes. The unit will include:

· negotiated development of a practice learning plan
· direct practice with individuals, groups and communities
· service engagement and management
· involvement in organisational development and system change
· involvement in policy planning and development
· participation in implementation and change at appropriate levels of practice
· research and knowledge generation
· social work education and professional development
· development and presentation of professional practice framework

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit is a cooperative negotiated arrangement between the student, QUT and the field education agency and supervisor. The teaching / learning roles and responsibilities of each party are described in SWN011 Professional Practice 1: Guidelines, Standards and Outcomes. Primary teaching and learning takes place in the field education environment supported by some on campus activities. Students are expected to maintain online reflective learning journals.

Assessment name: Personal learning plan
Description: Students are required to integrate the objectives and expected outcomes of Professional Practice 1 into their ongoing Personal Learning Plans. Students are expected to develop a PLP which includes objectives of the placement and evidence of achievement throughout the placement. The final PLP will be submitted on completion of the placement.
This item is formative and summative.


This item is formative and summative.
This item is pass/fail
Relates to objectives: 1-7
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 1

Assessment name: Demonstration
Description: Students are required to demonstrate knowledge, skills and values as described and contained in SWN011 Professional Practice 1: Guidelines, Standards and Outcomes and to maintain a reflective practice journal.
This item is formative and summative. Documented reviews of progress as contained in the SWN011 Professional Practice 1: Guidelines, Standards and Outcomes will be made at the end of every two weeks of placement.

This item is pass/fail
Relates to objectives: 1-7
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Placement

Assessment name: Presentation (Oral or Group)
Description: Students are required to develop, present and justify a professional practice framework which integrates and builds on their learning from Professional Practice 1.
This item is formative and summative. Documented reviews of progress will be made midway through the placement.

This item is pass/fail
Relates to objectives: 1-7
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

Recommended texts:

Barnard, A., Horner, N., & Wild, J. (2008). The Value Base of Social Work and Social Care: An active learning handbook. URL: Link to Web Page

Cleak, H. & Wilson, J. 2007 (2nd edition) Making the Most of Field Placement. Victoria: Cengage Learning.

Connolly, M., & Ward, T. (2008). Morals, Rights and Practice in the Human Services: Effective and fair decision-making in health, social care and criminal justice. London: Jessica Kingsley.

Reamer, F. G. (2006). Ethical Standards in Social Work: A review of the NASW code of ethics. Washington, D.C.: NASW Press.

Sommers-Flanagan, R., & Sommers-Flanagan, J. (2007). Becoming an Ethical Helping Professional: Cultural and philosophical foundations. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley.

Thompson, S., & Thompson, N. (2008). The Critically Reflective Practitioner. Basingstoke, England: Palgrave Macmillan.

White, B., & Ebooks Corporation. (2008). Comprehensive Handbook of Social Work and Social Welfare. URL: Link to Web Page


Web based resources:

Students will have access to a range of Electronic databases including Social Work Abstracts, Family and Society Plus and Social Services Abstracts.

Risk assessment statement

Blue card
The Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian Act (2000) requires that students undergo a criminal history check and be issued with a blue card by the Commission prior to undertaking field experience in a school or centre, or undertaking activities in any unit which may involve contact with children. You will require a blue card for clinical placement/practicum in this unit. You should apply for a blue card at least 12 weeks before any clinical placement/practicum. Current blue card holders must register their card with QUT. For more information visit www.bluecard.qut.edu.au

Students are advised that some placement experiences may be distressing. Appropriate measures will be in place for debriefing and closure. All students are subject Workplace Health and Safety Policies, Procedures and Regulations operating within placement particular agencies. All students are covered under QUT insurance cover. Further details are contained in SWN011 Professional Practice 1: Guidelines, Standards and Outcomes.

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