Social Work Fields of Practice

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 Fields of Practice

Unit ID:

MSWPG7219

Credit Points:

15.00

Prerequisite(s):

Nil

Co-requisite(s):

Nil

Exclusion(s):

Nil

ASCED:

090501

Other Change:

Brief description of the Unit

In this unit, students engage with key fields of social work practice, such as, disability, alcohol and other drugs, mental health, and community-based services. Through engagement with real-world case studies and practice examples, students critically analyse how structural inequalities and systemic barriers shape service user experiences and outcomes.

Students also examine the role of social workers in responding to these complexities, with a focus on advancing social justice, upholding human rights, and supporting the empowerment of individuals, families, and communities across diverse fields of 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:

Learning Outcomes:

Knowledge:

K1.	Explain key fields of social work practice, including disability, alcohol and other drugs, mental health, and community-based services.

K2.	Describe the influence of social policy, legislation, and service systems on practice across diverse contexts.

K3.	Demonstrate understanding of structural inequalities and systemic barriers, and their impact on service user experiences and outcomes.

K4.	Demonstrate knowledge of social work values, ethics, and human rights frameworks underpinning professional practice.

Skills:

S1.	Critically analyse real-world practice scenarios using social work theories and frameworks.

S2.	Communicate practice-informed analysis and advocacy, using appropriate professional and academic conventions.

S3.	Engage in critical reflection on personal values, assumptions, and positioning in relation to practice.

Application of knowledge and skills:

A1.	Apply social work theories and methods to complex practice situations across diverse fields.

A2.	Demonstrate ethical and professional judgement consistent with the profession's Code of Ethics and Practice Standards.

Other outcomes:

Unit Content:

Topics may include:

Key fields of social work practice, such as disability, alcohol and other drugs, mental health, and community-based services.
The impact of structural inequalities and systemic barriers on service user experiences and outcomes.
The influence of social policy, legislation, and service systems on practice across diverse contexts.
The role of social workers in responding to complex practice environments.
Social justice, human rights, and empowerment in contemporary social work practice.
Application of social work values, ethics, and theoretical frameworks to practice scenarios.
Critical analysis of real-world case studies and practice examples.
Development of professional communication, advocacy, and practice-informed responses.
Critical reflection on personal values, assumptions, and positioning in professional practice.

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.	Y - Present
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.	Y - Present
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.	Y - Present
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.	Y - Present
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	Y - Present

	Learning Outcomes Assessed	Assessment Tasks	Assessment Type	Weighting	Professional Standards
1.	K1, K2, K3, S2, S3, A2	Students will complete three reflections (written &/or verbal) during scheduled seminars.	Learning Portfolio	40-60%	1.1.d; 1.2.d; 1.2.e; 3.2.a; 3.2.j
2.	K2, K3, K4, S1, S2, A1, A2	Students will work collaboratively in small groups to develop and present a practice brief and advocacy response, based on a contemporary issue.	Practice Brief and Advocacy Response	40-60%	1.1.d; 1.2.d; 1.2.e; 2.1.d; 3.2.c; 3.2.d; 3.2.i; 3.4.e;

Adopted Reference Style:

APA ()

Professional Standards / Competencies:

Standard / Competency