| Effective Term: | 2025/02 |
| Institute / School : | Institute of Education, Arts & Community |
| Unit Title: | Social Work Field Education 1 |
| Unit ID: | BSWUG3006 |
| Credit Points: | 45.00 |
| Prerequisite(s): | (BSWUG3002) |
| Co-requisite(s): | Nil |
| Exclusion(s): | Nil |
| ASCED: | 090501 |
| Other Change: | |
| Brief description of the Unit |
Students will participate in 500 hours (minimum) Field Education placement which will facilitate the integration of theory, practice and research in a direct placement setting. Core learning related to Social Work values, ethics, the roles and responsibilities of Social Workers and agency specific knowledge will be developed. Students will begin to acquire the knowledge and skills required for professional practice as Social Workers in a direct practice setting and utilise appropriate intervention strategies under supervision. Integrative seminars will prepare students for placement, then assist and support students throughout their placement process providing opportunities for reflective practice, shared learning and mutual support. |
| Grade Scheme: | Ungraded (S, UN) |
| Work Experience Indicator: |
| Student is undertaking work experience in industry where learning and performance is not directed by the provider, but support is received from the provider. Fees (provider may charge a student contribution amount or tuition fee). |
| Placement Component: | Yes - 70 days |
| Supplementary Assessment:No |
| Supplementary assessment is not available to students who gain a fail in this Unit. |
| 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. | Demonstrate understanding of the context of Social Work practice – including the role and responsibilities of the Social Worker and the role and function of the agency within service network. |
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| K2. | Demonstrate understanding of the implications of current government policy, social, political, cultural and legal issues for service users and agencies in a practice setting. |
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| K3. | Identify and apply theories and practices relevant to service delivery in the placement agency context. |
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| K4. | Compare and contrast micro and macro approaches for addressing service user needs and issues outlining alternative approaches within the placement context. |
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| K5. | Develop an awareness of their own personal, cultural and political values, and demonstrates the ways these may impact on practice. |
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| K6. | Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of ethical practice, practice standards, professional code of ethics, social work values and its application to the placement context. |
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| K7. | Identify and apply knowledge of organizational policies and procedures in the placement setting |
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| Skills: |
| S1. | Demonstrate social work skills in engagement, assessment, planning interventions, referral and evaluation using a range of social work theories in a number of practice areas, including case work, community development, project development and research. |
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| S2. | Demonstrate skills by reflecting on personal/professional knowledge using reflective practice in supervision. |
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| S3. | Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills, including the use of a variety of culturally sensitive communication skills. |
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| S4. | Compare and contrast micro and macro approaches for addressing service user needs and issues outlining alternative approaches within the placement context |
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| S5. | Prepare professional written material as needed for placement activities in accordance with agency policy which may include emails, letters, assessments and reports. |
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| S6. | Demonstrate organizational skills, including time management, planning and ability to prioritize tasks. |
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| S7. | Work effectively in teams with multidisciplinary and multi-agency context. |
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| Application of knowledge and skills: |
| A1. | Utilize and apply reflective practice and critical reflection approaches during professional supervision. |
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| A2. | Demonstrate responsibility and commitment for self-directed professional learning and development, including identifying own professional strengths and areas for further development. |
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| A3. | Participate actively in the integration of social work theories into practice by engaging in skill development workshops, simulation activities and other exercises to develop and integrate their professional knowledge and skills as needed. |
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| Unit Content: |
Integration Seminars will assist and support students throughout this process, and provide opportunities for reflective practice, shared learning and mutual support.
Seminars may include: 1. Preparation for placement - a) Social work Inplace requirements b) Applications for placements c) Developing learning goals for placement 2. Identity and managing oneself as a professional 3. Values and Ethics in professional practice 4. Reflective practice and critical reflection as tools for professional learning 5. Professional documentation and communication 6. Assessment and planning with individuals, groups and communities 7. Trauma-informed approaches to practice 8. Motivational interviewing and working with service users |
| 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, K4, K6, K7, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, A1, A3 | Completion of weekly worksheets may include samples of placement work completed in the following areas: • Policy, Funding and Legal Context of Practice Organization and Community Context • Use of knowledge in practice • Assessment and Intervention skills • Applying professional values and ethics • Effective interpersonal skills • Self-learning and critical reflection • Research • Culturally sensitive practice | Placement Workbook/Portfolio | S/U | | 2. | K3, K4, S1, S2, S3, A3 | Analyze the role and function of the agency and its place within the wider community human services context | Presentation | S/U | | 3. | K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, A2 | Develop specific learning goals as specified by the Australian Association of Social Workers Learning and Assessment Plan | Learning Contract | S/U | | 4. | K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6, S4, S5, A1 | Demonstrate the capacity for critical reflection by highlighting significant learning using reflective practice theories. | Critical Learning Document | S/U | | 5. | S5, S6, S7, A1 | Successful completion of 500 hours Field Education placement | Placement | S/U |
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