SWM5103 · Supervised professional practice 1

Overview

This unit will facilitate your entry into the social work profession across a range of practice fields. It comprises a minimum of 500 hours of supervised field education during which time you will observe, practice and critically reflect on the role of social work in a health or human services context. Using experiences and learnings from the pre-fieldwork units and those acquired during the previous supervised practice unit, you will perform a range of social work interventions and assessment within the placement. Under the guidance of an Agency Supervisor and an allocated University Liaison Specialist, it is expected you will transition from beginning capability to demonstrating performance at the level expected of a newly qualified social worker. The range of activities is aligned with the 2023 Practice Standards of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). These Practice Standards have informed nine learning outcomes to help you succeed. Under the guidance of a social work qualified Supervisor and an assigned University Liaison, you will demonstrate performance at the level expected of a beginning, developing social worker. Your progress through the unit will be aided by a learning agreement, mid-placement and end-of-placement reporting, critical reflection activities, and timesheets to ensure that you are meeting the AASW requirements for placement hours and supervision.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment in this unit includes hurdle assessment tasks. Failure of any hurdle assessment task may result in failure of the unit. All assessments are Pass grade only.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Explain and apply the AASW Code of Ethics to the practice context or setting.
2. Explain the impact of colonisation and institutionalised racism of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and identify culturally safe practices.
3. Use a range of social work knowledge, assessment and strategies appropriate to the area of practice and apply culturally responsive principles.
4. Explain and apply respectful and inclusive practices in regards to culture and diversity.
5. Apply theory, legislation, research and policy frameworks to practice situations experienced whilst on placement.
6. Apply contextual information to holistically assess risk, needs, strengths, goals and preferences of people.
7. Explain a beginning social work professional identity within the realm of the agency or area of practice.
8. Summarise the content of structured supervision sessions, professional development and identity and enact feedback received.
9. Identify and address where to strengthen practice and attend professional development activities.

Workload

500 hours - AASW set workload requirements for Field Placement

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.