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 Practice Standards for Social Workers: Achieving Outcomes (2003), the AASW Education and Accreditation Standards [2009] and the AASW Code of Ethics (2010). These documents include the knowledge, skills and values which you must demonstrate in order to graduate and gain accreditation as social worker. This unit is therefore included in your course to allow you to further develop, apply and review your progress in meeting the requirements mandated by the AASW and central to the MSW.

Designated unit
This is a designated unit which means that the content has been identified by the Faculty as critical to meeting a satisfactory level of competence. Accordingly, you must complete the unit with a passing grade in order to continue in the MSW.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to provide a professionally supervised social work experience which requires you to demonstrate and integrate advanced knowledge, skills and values into practice. It promotes reflective practice and the continued development of professional practice frameworks. The specific aims, and associated learning outcomes, are negotiated between the individual student, University staff and the agency and documented within your Practice and Personal Learning Plan.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:
1. Integrate and apply the knowledge, key skills and principles as required by AASW Practice Standard for Social Workers and AASW Education and Accreditation Standards

2. Evidence ethical practice skills through critical thought and reflection as aligned with the AASW Code of Ethics.

3. Articulate your professional practice framework as evidence of your skills for autonomous professional Social Work practice.

The Unit Outcomes are aligned with the following AASW Standards:
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

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 you, QUT and the field education agency and supervisor. The teaching / learning roles and responsibilities of each party are described in the QUT Field Education Practice Manual. Primary teaching and learning takes place in the field education environment supported by an integrated on campus and virtual learning environment including the use of a range of information communication technologies. The unit will contain experiential learning through a placement of 490 hours plus attendance at university based integration workshops.

You are expected to attend 4 workshops at QUT while on placement (including one pre placement workshop) and maintain on line fortnightly reflective learning journals to be posted onto the Blackboard site.

Assessment

This unit contains assessment which links theory with the contemporary understanding and practice of social work. There is a particular emphasis on ensuring the relevance of assessment to learning, practice and real world challenges and contemporary issues. The assessment is summarised below and fully described on the unit Blackboard site.You will be provided with formative and summative feedback about your progress during the placement.

Assessment name: Demonstration
Description: Weighting: Pass/fail

You are expected to satisfactorily undertake 490 hours of fieldwork practice and document demonstrated achievement of your Integration and application of knowledge, key skills and principles as required by AASW Practice Standard for Social Workers in your Learning Plan. During placement evidence of your ethical practice will be assessed as will your ability to articulate your developing professional practice framework. The unit includes completing four on line reflective journals throughout the placement.
This item is formative.
Relates to objectives: 1-3
Weight: 100%
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

The Blackboard unit website is designed to support and guide your academic reading and writing skills and provide a resource for communication and reflection of placement experiences with colleagues. Sharing reflections online is a rich and professional extension of your observations Resources, such as articles of interest will be available on the BB site.

Essential text

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

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 (Recommended text).

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: on&extendedid=P_333740_0&>Link to Web Page

Risk assessment statement

Some placement experiences may be distressing. Appropriate measures will be in place for debriefing and closure. You are subject to 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 the QUT Field Education Practice Manual.

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: 18-Jan-2013