SCWK5050: Semester 2, 2025

Units SCWK5050 Semester 2 2025 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

SCWK5050: Practice Learning 1

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Field education is a core component in all social work degree programs. This first placement consists of 500 hours working in a social work context and the fortnightly integration of learning seminars. In these seminars students explore issues rising in placement through the lenses of the theory/practice relationship, core social work practice knowledge, skills, and values. The seminar also provides students with the opportunities to access peer support and to consult with their field education teacher. The written assignments comprise the placement portfolio

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Social Work
Credit points	12
Prerequisites ?	12 credit points at 5000 level in SCWK including SCWK5020
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
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 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Peer or expert observation or supervision	Placement 1 - learning plan Written learning plan for your placement addressing each of the Australian Association of Social Workers practice standards	0%	Multiple weeks	1500 words equivalent	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Peer or expert observation or supervision	Portfolio 2 - Mid-placement evaluation report The mid-placement report reflects your learning in the first half of placement.	0%	Multiple weeks	1500 words equivalent	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Peer or expert observation or supervision	Portfolio 3 - end of placement report The End-of-placement Report is written as a final reflection on your learning throughout the full placement.	0%	Multiple weeks	1500 words equivalent	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Learning Circle Group Presentation Groups present on a placement topic common to their experiences.	0%	Week 13	30 minutes, including 10 minute Q&A	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Pass/Fail

Assessment criteria

Pass/Fail

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.

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 -02	Pre Placement Seminar	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 03	Understanding organisational contexts	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 05	Developing your social work identity and critically reflective practice	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 09	Socially Just Practice	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 13	Group Presentations & Wrap Up	Seminar (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

The Sydney School of Education and Social Work requires attending all field education seminars. Where a student cannot participate in a seminar, evidence of illness or misadventure may be required, and the student may be required to undertake extra work. Students should discuss the circumstances of the absences(s) with their class teacher

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 12 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 240-300 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings are available via Canvas

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. Demonstrate the ability to conduct themselves according to the values, principles and guidelines of the AASW Code of Ethics 2020.
LO2. Demonstrate knowledge of working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to support their priorities and aspirations.
LO3. Demonstrate an understanding of the role social workers play in advocating for policy initiatives and approaches to practice aimed at achieving fair and equitable access for people to social, health, economic, environmental and political resources.
LO4. Demonstrate the ability to practice respectfully and inclusively with regard to culture and diversity.
LO5. Demonstrate the ability to practice within a professional knowledge framework informed by a critical understanding of contemporary social work theory and research.
LO6. Demonstrate the ability to make professional decisions on the basis of a holistic assessment of the needs, strengths, goals and preferences of people
LO7. Demonstrate social work identity; exhibiting a sense of connectedness to the profession and appreciation for the standing of the profession.
LO8. Demonstrate the capacity to engage in regular structured supervision from social work-qualified supervisors.
LO9. Demonstrate the capacity to constructively reflect on emergent skills, knowledge, and expertise with a view to improving and broadening professional learning and development

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.

This Unit Ouline is revised based on student feedback in the annual USS

Additional information

See the Field Education Handbook 2025.

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 organization. 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 made, please get in touch with Disability Services as soon as possible before commencing the internship. Please note, in all cases, and to organize reasonable adjustments, only the impact and not the nature, of your disability will be disclosed to the host organization.

Work, health and safety

See The Field Education Handbook 2025.

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

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

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links