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

This unit is located in the final semester and is designed to consolidate student learning in preparation for social work practice and in preparation for continuing professional education and development. It recognises the central importance of understanding the key underpinning values, principles, theories and skills for ethical and accountable social work practice and requires students to articulate their developing practice frameworks, in line with the AASW Code of Ethics. Students are also required to demonstrate their understanding of and acquisition of graduate level capabilities regarding the AASW Practice Standards. The articulation of professional practice frameworks parallels a deliberate transition process whereby students utilise a variety of mediums to demonstrate that they have the necessary knowledge, skills and value base required for professional accreditation with the AASW.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to enable students to develop and articulate their emerging professional social work practice frameworks and demonstrate competency for practice against the requirements established by the AASW.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. identify and critique personal values, assumptions, beliefs and attitudes that underpin the development of a professional framework for social work practice in accordance with the AASW Code of Ethics (GVS1: 1.1, 1.2, 1.5, 1.9; GVS3: 3.1, 3.2)



2. construct a professional framework of practice which incorporates theoretical models, knowledge, skills, values, client needs and organizational contexts, in line with AASW practice standards and the Code of Ethics (GVS1: 1.1, 1.5; GVS2: 2.1, 2.2, 2.6; GVS3: 3.1, 3.3; GVS4: 4.1, 4.6, 4.7)



3. evidence competency for practice, including a capacity for critical reflection, against the AASW Practice Standards and Code of Ethics(GVS1: 1.1, 1.2, 1.5, 1.9; GVS3: 3.1, 3.2)



4. demonstrate plans for continuing professional education and development. (GVS1: 1.1, 1.5; GVS2: 2.1, 2.2, 2.6; GVS3: 3.1, 3.3; GVS4: 4.1, 4.6, 4.7)

Learning outcomes link to:
AASW Education and Accreditation Standards - 2.3; 3; 3.1; 3.2; 3.3; 3.4; 3.5; 3.6; 4.1.4; 4.1.2; 4.1.3; 4.1.5; 4.1.6; 4.2.1; 4.2.2;
AASW Practice Standards for Social Workers - 1.1; 1.4; 1.5; 1.6; 1.8; 1.9; 1.10; 1.12; 2.1; 2.3; 2.9; 3.1; 3.5; 4.3; 4.8; 5.1; 5.2; 6.1; 6.3; 6.4; 6.6

Content

• development, critique, articulation and integration of professional frameworks for social work practice


• analysis and alignment of professional frameworks against AASW Practice Standards and AASW Code of Ethics


• reflection, consolidation and justification of knowledge, skills and values required for professional accreditation with the AASW


• development of plans for future professional development and education

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

There will be an on campus introduction to the Unit with supporting online learning activities and peer interaction using relevant ICTs. Assistance will be provided for the finalisation of student ePortfolio, and development, presentation, critique and justification of practice frameworks and competency for practice involving academic staff and experienced social work practitioners.

Assessment

The assessments are designed to support professional development, reflection, consolidation of learning and transition to practice. They link theory of professional frameworks with contemporary social work practice and provide an important opportunity to demonstrate the achievement of competencies required for professional social work accreditation.Staff will discuss the criteria for the assessments and provide group and individual feedback including assistance in preparation for the final competency interview.

Assessment name: Essay
Description: Students are required to develop and defend their professional practice framework through a scholarly reflective paper and a viva presentation to a panel comprising academic staff and professional social work practitioners.
Weight: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory.
Relates to objectives: 1-4
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 8

Assessment name: Viva Voce
Description: Competency statement and viva defence. Students are required to present supporting evidence from their ePortfolio and defend their claim for professional AASW accreditation before panel comprising academic staff and professional social work practitioners.
Weight: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Relates to objectives: 1-4
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Final week

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:


Healy, K. (2005). Social Work Theories in Context: Creating Frameworks for Practice. Baringstoke, England: Palgrave.

Trevithick P. (2005) Social Work Skills: a practice handbook. (2nd ed.) Open University Press.

Web based resources:

Students will have access to material on the Blackboard site and a range of Electronic databases including Social Work Abstracts, Family and Society Plus and Social Services Abstracts

Further references:

Australian Association of Social Workers (2003). Practice Standards for Social Workers: Achieving Outcomes. URL: www.aasw.asn.au

Australian Association of Social Workers (2010). Code of Ethics. URL: www.aasw.asn.au

Healy, K. (2005). Social Work Theories in Context: Creating Frameworks for Practice. Baringstoke, England: Palgrave.

Barnard, A., Horner, N., & Wild, J. (2008). The value base of social work and social care. Maidenhead, England: Open University Press.

Bradbury, H. (2010). (Ed) Beyond reflective practice: new approaches to professional lifelong learning. London; New York: Routledge.

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

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

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: 25-Mar-2013