| Effective Term: | 2025/02 |
| Institute / School : | Institute of Education, Arts & Community |
| Unit Title: | Theoretical Models for Practice: Assessment and Intervention |
| Unit ID: | GCSCS6001 |
| Credit Points: | 15.00 |
| Prerequisite(s): | Nil |
| Co-requisite(s): | Nil |
| Exclusion(s): | Nil |
| ASCED: | 090500 |
| Other Change: | |
| Brief description of the Unit |
This unit focuses on key theoretical frameworks and practice models in the community and human services. It examines assessment and intervention models and the varied domains of practice in this sector. Using a scaffolded case study approach, students explore a range of social issues, including social welfare and poverty, children’s rights, disability and family violence. Students critically evaluate how theory can support family violence work in accordance with legislation and industry frameworks including the Family Violence Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management (MARAM) Framework. They critically reflect on the ways in which theory is integral to critical practice. Specific theories covered in the unit include critical social work theories such as feminism, anti-oppressive and anti-discriminatory practice and post-modernism. Eco-systems, developmental and life-cycle theories are also critiqued with a focus on how they inform professional family violence work. Throughout the unit, a strengths approach that advocates with, or on behalf of, victim-survivors of family violence to secure their rights and access to resources is emphasised. Overall, students develop systemic and critical understanding of a substantial and complex body of community and human services theories and practice models, and the ability to disseminate this knowledge while promoting new insights to peers and the community in the field of Community and Human Services. |
| 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. | Critically analyse and reflect on a range of advanced theoretical frameworks and practice models that underpin responses to a range of social issues including poverty and welfare, disability, children’s rights and family violence within the community and human services sector |
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| K2. | Analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories on family violence as an intersection of multiple social concerns. Reflect on the effectiveness of assessment and interventional models applied to address family violence in the community and human services sector |
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| K3. | Develop an in-depth understanding of micro-mezzo and macro domains of practice, and how they inform critical family violence practice. |
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| K4. | Critically reflect on personal and professional values that inform family violence practice in line with a lifelong learning mindset. |
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| Skills: |
| S1. | Identify and apply theoretical frameworks and practice models to family violence case scenarios using advanced, independent research skills. |
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| S2. | Demonstrate the development of critical skills for family violence practice through written and oral assessments in which solutions to complex problems are transmitted. |
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| S3. | Develop self-knowledge through critical reflection of personal and professional values that underpin family violence and social and community work. |
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| Application of knowledge and skills: |
| A1. | Apply knowledge of theoretical frameworks and practice models to family violence and a range of associated social issues to demonstrate autonomy, judgement, adaptability and responsibility as a practitioner or learner. |
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| A2. | Develop critical skills for family violence practice by integrating knowledge of practice models to case studies based on social issues. |
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| A3. | Critically analyse values, ideologies and discourses that underpin professional practice in community and human services and family violence work. |
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| Unit Content: |
•The use of theories and practice models to clarify and address social problems including poverty and welfare, disability, children’s rights and family violence in the community and human services
•Family violence as an intersection of social problems
•A critique of family violence practice models including the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management (MARAM) Framework
•Values and perspectives in community and human services work
•Becoming a critical family violence practitioner
•Domains of practice, namely micro, mezzo and macro |
| Graduate Attributes: |
| | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Assessment Tasks | Assessment Type | Weighting | | 1. | K1, K2, K3, K4, S1, S2, S3, A1, A2, A3 | Participate in collective learning using case studies to identify (a) an issue of social concern e.g. poverty and welfare, disability or children’s rights and (b) theories or practice models that could effectively address that issue. | Simulation exercise with written report | 30-45% | | 2. | K1, K2, K3, K4, S1, S2, S3, A1, A2, A3 | Using a case study to (a) identify how multiple social problems can intersect around family violence and (b) developing a personal and comprehensive approach to addressing family violence. | Critical Practice Activity and Presentation | 30-45% | | 3. | K1, K4, S1 | Complete at least 80% of on-line discussion forums; assigned unit readings and note-taking. | Participation and contribution | 10-25% |
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