SWM5116 · Foundations for social work practice 2

Overview

This unit is the second of two foundational units for social work practice which will progress your knowledge beyond the presenting problem and moving into assessment and basic intervention. The unit uses a human development framework emphasising resilience across the lifespan. The dependency on accurate social assessments that account for a person's physical, emotional, cognitive, spiritual, cultural, temporal states are emphasised. You will critically appraise and practice administering a biopsychosocial assessment. Risk and protective factors at individual, family, community and societal levels that impede or enhance child, adolescent and adult development will also be identified. You will explore the symbiotic relationship between assessment and intervention and the common skills that form the bedrock of accurate and effective assessment tools and interventions in social work practice to enhance wellbeing and reduce risk.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

Assessment in this unit includes hurdle assessment tasks. Failure of any hurdle assessment task may result in failure of the unit.

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. Identify the biopsychosocial developmental needs that arise in the life course and apply this knowledge to social work practice.
2. Apply evidence-informed approaches to understand, assess and intervene effectively with individuals and families
3. Identify the risk and protective factors of an individual/family and their circumstances by undertaking a biopsychosocial assessment
4. Examine the ways in which power structures disadvantage specific groups with particular consideration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and use strength-based approaches to redress marginalisation
5. Critically analyse the elements of effective social work practice in assessment and intervention

Workload

6 hours of teacher directed study per week, including a 2 hour seminar/lecture, 2 hour tutorial, and three 2-hour Clinical Practice Lab (CPL) sessions over the semester. The remaining hours involve directed readings and class preparation, along with guided reflection and consolidation activities. Both tutorials and CPLs are compulsory for all students 6 hours per week of self-directed study. Off campus attendance requirements: Mandatory attendance:3 days of on-campus workshops. To be advised at the start of semester.

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