| Effective Term: | 2025/05 |
| Institute / School : | Institute of Education, Arts & Community |
| Unit Title: | Introduction to Social Work, Community and Human Services |
| Unit ID: | BSWUG1001 |
| Credit Points: | 15.00 |
| Prerequisite(s): | Nil |
| Co-requisite(s): | Nil |
| Exclusion(s): | (CHSUG1001) |
| ASCED: | 090501 |
| Other Change: | |
| Brief description of the Unit |
This unit introduces students to social work and community and human services through examining the purpose of the sector and its role in society. Students will explore the historical and political context of social work and community services and how this impacts upon contemporary practice. This unit analyses various areas and fields of practice and the range of professional roles which exist. Students will then go on to consider key principles of human service practice which will lay the foundation for their future studies, including ethical and professional responsibilities. In this unit, students will also begin to reflect upon themselves and their own values and how this may impact upon their professional practice. |
| Grade Scheme: | Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF) |
| Work Experience Indicator: |
| No work experience |
| Placement Component: | |
| Supplementary Assessment:Yes |
| Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment |
| Course Level: |
| Level of Unit in Course | AQF Level(s) of Course | | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | | Introductory | | |  | | | | | Intermediate | | | | | | | | Advanced | | | | | | |
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| Learning Outcomes: |
| Knowledge: |
| K1. | Identify the defining features of social work and community and human services |
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| K2. | Explore the historical and political development of the social work/community and human service sector and how this impacts upon current practice |
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| K3. | Examine the current social and political context of the community and human service sector |
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| K4. | Consider the different fields/areas of practice and the diversity of roles undertaken by practitioners |
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| K5. | Reflect on the role of personal and professional values on community and human service practice |
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| K6. | Consider the ethical responsibilities of professionals working in the community and human services |
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| Skills: |
| S1. | Locate and use academic materials as evidence to develop your essay writing skills |
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| S2. | Develop effective written communication skills |
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| S3. | Demonstrate the capacity for self-reflection |
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| S4. | Describe key ethical and professional responsibilities of human service practitioners |
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| Application of knowledge and skills: |
| A1. | Engage with key debates in the community and human services |
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| A2. | Describe the impact of historical, cultural and political influences on the community and human services sector |
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| A3. | Reflect upon the impact of the self on professional practice |
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| Unit Content: |
The context of the community and human services: - The purpose of the sector and its role in society - Key aspects of the historical and political development of the sector (such as: charity; the welfare state; and neo-liberalism) - Current social, political, and economic factors impacting upon the community and human services - Poverty, inequality, and justice. Areas and fields of practice: - Overview of common fields of practice such as family violence, child protection, youth, drugs and alcohol, justice, housing, employment, disability, mental health, aged care etc. - Overview of different client groups such as individuals, couples, families, groups, and communities - Overview of areas of practice such as case work, counselling, group work, community work, policy, research and advocacy. Values, ethics and reflection: - Personal values: what are they and where they come from - Overview of the value and ethical base of the community and human services - Exploration and reflection on power. |
| Graduate Attributes: |
| Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FEDTASKS (Transferable Attributes Skills and Knowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are be embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and Co-operative Learning opportunities. One or more FEDTASK, transferable Attributes, Skills or Knowledge must be evident in the specified learning outcomes and assessment for each FedUni Unit, and all must be directly assessed in each Course.
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| FED TASK and descriptor | Development and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit | | Level | FEDTASK 1
Interpersonal | Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate, inter-act and work with others both individually and in groups. Students will be required to display skills in-person and/or online in: • Using effective verbal and non-verbal communication • Listening for meaning and influencing via active listening • Showing empathy for others • Negotiating and demonstrating conflict resolution skills • Working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams. | Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines | FEDTASK 2
Leadership | Students will demonstrate the ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others. Students will be required to display skills in: • Creating a collegial environment • Showing self -awareness and the ability to self-reflect • Inspiring and convincing others • Making informed decisions • Displaying initiative | Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines | FEDTASK 3
Critical Thinking and Creativity | Students will demonstrate an ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using the imagination to create new ideas. Students will be required to display skills in: • Reflecting critically • Evaluating ideas, concepts and information • Considering alternative perspectives to refine ideas • Challenging conventional thinking to clarify concepts • Forming creative solutions in problem solving. | Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines | FEDTASK 4
Digital Literacy | Students will demonstrate the ability to work fluently across a range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks. Students will be required to display skills in: • Finding, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and sharing digital information • Collating, managing, accessing and using digital data securely • Receiving and responding to messages in a range of digital media • Contributing actively to digital teams and working groups • Participating in and benefiting from digital learning opportunities. | Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines | FEDTASK 5
Sustainable and Ethical Mindset | Students will demonstrate the ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions. Students will be required to display skills in: • Making informed judgments that consider the impact of devising solutions in global economic environmental and societal contexts • Committing to social responsibility as a professional and a citizen • Evaluating ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable challenges and generating and articulating responses • Embracing lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to diverse others • Implementing required actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life. | Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines |
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| | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Assessment Tasks | Assessment Type | Weighting | | 1. | K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, A1 | Research a key issue or debate pertaining to the historical, social and political influences on the community and human service sector and the impacts of these in current fields of practice. Search for and locate relevant academic sources and structure an essay plan to address this issue or debate. | Library Research and Essay Plan | 20 - 35% | | 2. | K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, A1, A2 | Describe and analyse the historical, social and political influences on the community and human service sector and the impacts of these in current fields of practice | Major essay | 30 - 45% | | 3. | K4, K5, K6, S3, S4, A3 | Reflect on key learning from weekly unit materials and readings at regular intervals | Online reflective journal | 20 - 35% |
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