Social Work Placement 1

Unit Outline (Higher Education)

Level of Unit in Course

AQF Level(s) of Course

Level of Unit in Course

Introductory

Intermediate

Effective Term:

2027/05

Institute / School :

Institute of Education, Arts & Community

Unit Title:

Social Work Placement 1

Unit ID:

BSWUG3007

Credit Points:

30.00

Prerequisite(s):

Nil

Co-requisite(s):

Nil

Exclusion(s):

Nil

ASCED:

090501

Other Change:

Brief description of the Unit

This unit provides students with their first supervised social work placement experience in an approved practice setting. Building on prerequisite coursework and preparatory learning activities, students will complete a minimum of 500 hours of placement, engaging in authentic social work practice within real-world organisational and community contexts.

Through participation in practice-based activities, regular professional supervision, and ongoing feedback, students will progressively develop foundational social work knowledge, values and skills. Placement learning supports the development of effective communication, engagement, assessment, critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and reflective practice, while fostering the growth of a professional social work identity.

Social Work Placement 1 is undertaken concurrently with an integrative learning unit that supports students to reflect on and make meaning from their placement experiences. Through structured reflection, peer learning, and collaborative discussion, students will strengthen their ability to integrate social work theory, professional values, and practice, preparing them for increasingly complex professional roles.

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:

Learning Outcomes:

Knowledge:

K1.	Demonstrate understanding of reflective practice via examination of personal and professional values that influence practice, identifying ethical dilemmas arising from one’s own positioning as a beginning practitioner.

K2.	Demonstrate the capacity to work with increasing autonomy and professional responsibility.

K3.	Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of ethical practice, practice standards, professional codes of ethics, social work values and the application of these to the placement context.

K4.	Identify and apply knowledge of organizational policies and procedures in the placement setting.

Skills:

S1.	Demonstrate social work skills in engagement, assessment, intervention planning, referral and evaluation, using a range of social work theories.

S2.	Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills, including culturally sensitive communication.

S3.	Prepare professional written material as needed for placement activities in accordance with agency policy.

S4.	Demonstrate organizational skills, including time management, planning and the ability to prioritize tasks.

S5.	Work eﬀectively in teams.

Application of knowledge and skills:

A1.	Participate in professional supervision applying reflective approaches to enhance practice knowledge and skills, and demonstrate professional accountability.

A2.	Demonstrate responsibility for self-directed professional learning and development, including identifying one's own professional strengths and areas for further development.

Other outcomes:

Unit Content:

Topics may include:

Preparation for placement and expectations of professional practice in real-world settings.
Engagement in a minimum of 500 hours of supervised placement in an approved practice setting.
Application of social work knowledge and skills in practice contexts.
Development of professional identity through real-world practice experiences.
Participation in practice tasks aligned with individual learning goals.
Integration of theory and practice through concurrent learning and reflection.
Use of supervision and feedback to support learning and professional growth.
Development of foundational practice capabilities, including communication, assessment, and critical thinking.
Engagement in reflection to enhance practice understanding and self-awareness.
Participation in an integrative learning unit to support synthesis of placement experiences and theoretical knowledge.

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.

FED TASK and descriptor		Development and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit
FED TASK and descriptor		Level
FEDTASK 1 Interpersonal	Students at this level will demonstrate an advanced ability in a range of contexts to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups. Students will be required to display high level skills in-person and/or online in: • Using and demonstrating a high level of verbal and non-verbal communication • Demonstrating a mastery of listening for meaning and influencing via active listening • Demonstrating and showing empathy for others • High order skills in negotiating and conflict resolution skills\\ • Demonstrating mastery of working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams.	Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines
FEDTASK 2 Leadership	Students at this level will demonstrate a mastery in professional skills and behaviours in leading others. • Creating and sustaining a collegial environment • Demonstrating a high level of self -awareness and the ability to self-reflect and justify decisions • Inspiring and initiating opportunities to lead others • Making informed professional decisions • Demonstrating initiative in new professional situations.	Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines
FEDTASK 3 Critical Thinking and Creativity	Students at this level will demonstrate high level skills in working in complexity and ambiguity using the imagination to create new ideas. Students will be required to display skills in: • Reflecting critically to generate and consider complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level • Analysing complex and abstract ideas, concepts and information • Communicate alternative perspectives to justify complex ideas • Demonstrate a mastery of challenging conventional thinking to clarify complex concepts • Forming creative solutions in problem solving to new situations for further learning.	Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines
FEDTASK 4 Digital Literacy	Students at this level will demonstrate the ability to work competently across a wide range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks. Students will be required to display skills in: • Mastering, exploring, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and sharing digital information professionally • Collating, managing complex data, accessing and using digital data securely • Receiving and responding professionally to messages in a range of professional digital media • Contributing competently and professionally to digital teams and working groups • Participating at a high level in digital learning opportunities.	Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines
FEDTASK 5 sustainable and Ethical Mindset	Students at this level will demonstrate a mastery of considering and assessing the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting professional ethical and sustainable decisions. Students will be required to display skills in: • Demonstrate informed judgment making that considers the impact of devising complex solutions in ambiguous global economic environmental and societal contexts • Professionally committing to the promulgation of social responsibility • Demonstrate the ability to evaluate ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable challenges and generating and articulating responses • Communicating lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to the diverse professional others • Generating, leading and implementing required actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life	Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines

	Learning Outcomes Assessed	Assessment Tasks	Assessment Type	Weighting	Professional Standards
1.	K1, K3, A2	Complete activities aimed at integrating and developing professional knowledge and identity.	Placement Portfolio	S/U	3.1.d ; 5.2.c
2.	K1, K2, K3, K4, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, A1, A2	Complete a learning plan demonstrating successful achievement of all required placement learning outcomes.	Learning Plan	S/U	5.2.a; 5.2.b
3.	K1, K2, K3, K4, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, A1, A2	Successful completion of 500 hours of practical experience.	Placement (Hurdle)	S/U	4.4.b

Adopted Reference Style:

APA ()

Professional Standards / Competencies:

Standard / Competency