Outline

Overview

In this unit of study, students will explore foundational social work theory and practice focussed on social policy, legal frameworks, human rights, the Australian legal systems and the welfare state. We will examine the impact and the ethics of the law on children, young people, families, people with disabilities and other groups across the community.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Social Work
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	36 credit points including (SCWK1001 and SCWK1002) and (SCLG1001 and SCLG1002)
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	SCPL2601
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Sacha Jamieson, sacha.jamieson@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written work	EFT Presentation Plan Outline for the group presentation	0%	Week 03 Due date: 13 Mar 2026 at 23:59	1-2 pages	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	In class presentation Presentation on a social policy issue, demonstrating knowledge of the interconnections of social work, law and social policy	30%	Week 06 Due date: 02 Apr 2026 at 12:00	1000 words equivalent	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Report Report based on community visit written in a critically reflective style	30%	Week 09 Due date: 03 May 2026 at 23:59	1500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Final essay Essay on social work, law & social policy with a focus on a specific topic	40%	Week 12 Due date: 24 May 2026 at 23:59	2000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ? = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Early Feedback Task: Presentation Plan- 0%. Students to submit a 1-2 page outline for their group presentation.
Group presentation - 30%: Students will deliver an in-class presentation on a social policy issue, applying their learning from weeks 1-5.
Report based on community visit- 30%. Students will write a report based on their learning, written in a critically reflective style.
Final essay - 40%. Students will write an essay on social work practice, law & social policy with a focus on a specific topic (e.g. social security, housing, mental health, drug and alcohol, disability, children and families, women, refugees and people seeking asylum, LGBTQI+ communities, First Nations people).

Further details of each assessment are available on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Work is of an exceptional standard
Distinction	75 - 84	Work is of a high standard
Credit	65 - 74	Work is of a good standard
Pass	50 - 64	Work is of an acceptable standard
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date: Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date. After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 01	Introduction	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Social policy and social work	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Social policy and social work	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Social policy as law- the legislative process	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	Social policy as law- the legislative process	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Understanding the welfare state	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	Understanding the welfare state	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Introduction to the Australian legal system	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	Introduction to the Australian legal system	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Legal obligations of social workers and court processes	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	Legal obligations of social workers and court processes	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Courts and connected organisations and programs	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	Courts and connected organisations and programs	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Courts and connected organisations and programs	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	Courts and connected organisations and programs	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Focus on specific fields of practice- family law and child protection	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Focus on specific fields of practice- family law and child protection	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Focus on specific fields of practice- mental health and drug and alcohol	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	Focus on specific fields of practice- mental health and drug and alcohol	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Focus on specific fields of practice- youth justice	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Focus on specific fields of practice- youth justice	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Focus on specific fields of practice- prison, community corrections and post release services	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	Focus on specific fields of practice- prison, community corrections and post release services	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: The Sydney School of Education and Social Work requires attendance of at least 90 percent of all timetabled classes (including seminars, workshops, tutorials, and lectures). Where a student is unable to attend at the required rate, evidence of illness or misadventure may be required and the student may be required to undertake extra work. Students should discuss the circumstances of their absence(s) with the co-ordinator of the unit of study.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Understand the interconnection of politics, policy, law and social work
LO2. Critically analyse the uneven impacts of the law and social policy on different groups
LO3. Demonstrate an understanding of the Australian legal system, it’s history, structures, and processes
LO4. Understand the role of human rights, justice, and ethics in the context of social work and the law
LO5. Understand and critically reflect on the role of social work in the criminal legal system and the broader carceral state
LO6. Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Assessments and learning activities incorporate feedback from the last USS.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

SCWK2010: Social Work, Law and Social Policy

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links