Outline

Overview

This is the second field education practicum of 500 hours. Field Education is a core component in all social work degree programs. The 500 hours of second placement provides a forum in which to explore issues concerning the theory/practice relationship, the development of advanced social work practice knowledge, skills and values as well as opportunities for support and consultation with other students and Faculty staff.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Social Work
Credit points	12
Prerequisites ?	SCWK5050
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Margaret Spencer, margaret.spencer@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Margaret Spencer, margaret.spencer@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Sarah Murray Heal, sarah.murrayheal@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Aisha Akkawi, aisha.akkawi@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Presentation	Community of Practice Presentations The presentation task requires a group of students to facilitate a 30-minute class discussion, which may include related activities of the group’s choice based on two academic articles from the recommended reading list for that week.	0%	Multiple weeks	30 minutes (3000 words equivalent)
Outcomes assessed:
Placement	Learning Plan Complete a learning template (see Canvas). Develop learning goals and strategies for each of the 9 AASW Practice Standards. This document is to be completed within 3 FTE weeks of commencing placement.	0%	Multiple weeks	1,500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Placement	Mid Placement Report Student reflects on the first half of placement and learning goals for the second half.	0%	Multiple weeks	1,500 words equivalent
Outcomes assessed:
Placement	End of Placement Reflection The end of placement report is written as a final reflection on your learning throughout the placement. Refer to the Field Education Handbook for specific content. Use Template on Canvas	0%	Multiple weeks	1,500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Placement	Final Portfolio The placement portfolio is a combination of the following documents: Learning Plan (with evidence included), Mid-placement Liaison Visit report, End-of-placement Report and Timesheet. All required signatures	0%	Multiple weeks	6,000 words
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ? = AI allowed ?

Assessment summary

A detailed description of each assessment task will be provided on Canvas.

Learning Plan: Your Learning Plan (LP) should relate to the 9 AASW Practice Standards (2023) set out in the template provided (see Canvas). Note this is a working document Learning goals and strategies are filled in at beginning of placment. Evdience of meeting these goals are recoorded progressively in the respective column. one. The LP is due by Week 3 FTE of your placement.

Mid-placement presentation: In the the mid-placement you get to showcase your placment, learning in the first half of the placement and plans for the second half of your placement.

The Community of Practice presentation: task requires a group of students to facilitate a 30-minute class discussion, which may include related activities of the group’s choice, based on two academic articles taken from the recommended reading list for that week. The discussion should encourage all students in the class to consider the extent to which the topic and chosen readings contribute to their understanding of their own placement and other diverse social work fields of practice.

End of placement report: The end of placement report is written as a final reflection on your learning throughout the placement. Refer to the Field Education Handbook for specific content. It should include comments by your FE, and external SW supervisor if you have one, and be signed by them and you.

Placement portfolio: The placement portfolio should include all of the following documents: Learning Plan, Mid-placement Liaison Visit Summary, End-of -placement Report and signed timesheet.

Assessment criteria

This unit is marked on the basis of Pass / Fail where students are awarded a grade of Satisfied requirements or Failed requirements as set out in this table.

Result name	Mark range	Description
Satisfied requirements	50 - 100	The learning outcomes of the unit of study have been met to a satisfactory standard. [Add any assessment specific requirements]
Failed requirements	0 - 49	The learning outcomes of the unit of study have not been met to a satisfactory standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

Satisfied requirements

50 - 100

The learning outcomes of the unit of study have been met to a satisfactory standard.

[Add any assessment specific requirements]

Failed requirements

0 - 49

The learning outcomes of the unit of study have not been met to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

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 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.

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	Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks	Integration of Learning	Seminar (15 hr)
Week 05	Getting Started on Placement	Seminar (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

All seminars are compulsory. If a student can not attend due to illness or extenuating reasons. Students will be required to submit make up work.

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

See Canvas Site

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 a deepening knowledge of concepts central to the social work discipline and be able to apply these in your practice.
LO2. Demonstrate the ability to work productively, collaboratively and openly in diverse groups and across cultural boundaries.
LO3. Demonstrate an ability to apply critical thinking and problem solving to both social work theory and practice.
LO4. Demonstrate an ability to communicate appropriately and effectively in a range of academic and professional settings, including communicating with confidence using oral/written/ digital media, communicating effectively and appropriately in both one-on-one and group interactions, being an engaged and reflective listener and collaborating and functioning as an effective team member.
LO5. Demonstrate a capacity to work effectively in interdisciplinary (and inter-professional) settings
LO6. Demonstrate an ability to reflect on your ethical responsibilities by committing to core values of professional integrity, principles of social justice, and knowledge of the AASW Practice Standards.

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 is the first time this unit has been offered.

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) and automated writing tools

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

SCWK6050: Practice Learning 2

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links