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Unit of study_

SCWK5010: Social Work Practice

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study addresses the theory-practice relationship and provides students with opportunities to engage with reflexive practice. It provides an introduction to the diversity of the professional practice of social work and aims to develop the capability of students to practise generic skills in social work practice and policy. There is an emphasis on understanding social work values and the fundamentals of ethical practice. Students are encouraged to recognise and build upon skills and knowledge they already have, and to develop their capabilities for acquiring further knowledge and skills. While applicable in all fields of practice, experiential class exercises will focus on core fields of practice in CALD and Indigenous communities.

Unit details and rules

Unit code SCWK5010
Academic unit Social Work
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Margaret Spencer, margaret.spencer@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Margaret Spencer, margaret.spencer@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment hurdle task Ethical Decision making report
demonstrate ability to apply a ethical decision making framework
20% Please select a valid week from the list below
Due date: 20 May 2022 at 23:00
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO5 LO4
Creative assessment / demonstration hurdle task Interview Simulation Activity
role play activity
10% Week 05
Due date: 25 Mar 2022 at 09:00

Closing date: 25 Mar 2022
15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO6 LO4
Assignment hurdle task Short Essay
Demonstrate understanding and application of theory to practice
15% Week 05
Due date: 21 Mar 2022 at 17:36
800 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2
Assignment hurdle task Critical Reflection
You will evaluate your interview (video) completed in Week 5.
20% Week 07
Due date: 04 Apr 2022 at 23:00
1,000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO5
Creative assessment / demonstration hurdle task Social Work Report
Prepare a social work report
25% Week 09
Due date: 25 Apr 2022 at 23:00
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3
Creative assessment / demonstration hurdle task Participation in Group Supervision Simulation
Demonstrate ability to share ethical reasoning in a group supervision sim.
10% Week 11
Due date: 13 May 2022 at 09:00

Closing date: 13 May 2022
In class
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO6 LO5 LO4
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

You will be videoed undertaking an interview of a 'service user'

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

For more information see guide to grades.

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.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week -01 Pre-recorded lecture (The Profession of Social Work) Individual study (1 hr) LO1
Introduction to Social Work Practice Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO4
Week -03 Pre-recorded Lecture/ pre-workshop activities (Social Work Knowledge, Theory and Practice) Individual study (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Casework skills (engagement and interviewing skills) Workshop (3 hr) LO3 LO5
Week 05 Pre-recorded Lecture/pre-workshop activities (Critical Reflexivity - Empathy, Triggers, Boundaries) Individual study (1 hr) LO3 LO4
Interview Activity Simulation laboratory (3 hr) LO3 LO5
Week 07 Record Lecture/ pre-workshop activities (Power and Privilege) Individual study (1 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Social Work Writing Workshop (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Pre-recorded Lecture/ pre-workshop activities (Group Dynamics) Individual study (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Groupwork skills Workshop (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Pre-workshop Activity Individual study (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Ethical Decision-making Simulation laboratory (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: The Sydney School of Education and Social Work requires attendance of at least 90 percent of all seminars, workshops or 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. Further details are provided in the School canvas site: https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/13426

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.

Required readings

See Canvas

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.

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

  • LO1. understand the diversity of the professional practice of social work in its historical and contemporary contexts
  • LO2. learn about major social work theories and be able to identify how they are reflected and embodied in social work practice.
  • LO3. develop and demonstrate competencies in professional social work communication skills (interpersonal and written)
  • LO4. understand social work values, theories of ethics and the fundamentals of ethical practice
  • LO5. develop and demonstrate the ability to critically reflect on your learning and skills.
  • LO6. understand principles underpinning working with diverse groups and communities and demonstrate cultural humility

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

Changes to this unit of Study based on student feedback, the teaching team's evaluation and consultation with the University's Learning and Teaching Unit.

Site visit guidelines

If you are undertaking professional experience/field education placement as part of your enrolment in this unit of study, please assess your specific needs and requirements for the safe and successful completion of an external placement within a host organisation. You will be given the opportunity to disclose any health issues that have a work health and safety significance before arranging a placement so that your safety, and the safety of others, can be properly assessed. The Professional Experience Coordinator/Field Education Manager will work to ensure that the workplace assignment to you is appropriate for your needs and requirements. If you are experiencing disability, and require reasonable adjustments to be arranged, please contact Disability Services as early as possible prior to commencing the internship. Please note, in all cases, and for the purpose of organising reasonable adjustments, only the impact and not the nature, of your disability will be disclosed to the host organisation.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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