WS5516 - Foundations for Social Work Practice

Available to holders of a Bachelor degree who have been admitted to the MSW (Qualifying)

This subject introduces students to the key professional underpinnings, skills, processes and ethical concerns relevant to social work practice. It emphasizes the role of social justice in Australian social work and explores how it underpins and informs social work practices, particularly when working in individual settings and with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. During the subject students will explore their own values and ethics; consider the use of the AASW professional Code of Ethics as a tool for unravelling ethical dilemmas; and, review skills and frameworks that can be used when interacting with individuals. Students will be required to demonstrate empathic, respectful, interpersonal skills in one-on-one interactions and in designated learning groups as well as identify, reflect upon and critique their use of those skills in relation to their own developing practice framework.

Learning Outcomes

• demonstate a high level of responsibility and accountability for own learning and professional development;
• be able to plan, conduct and achieve effective professional listening and reflective communication skills and use these skills in helping achieve individual goals and toward transforming structures, processes, practices and inequities;
• be able to critique and apply core theoretical frameworks to engage with and enable individuals achieve individual social and environmental justice;
• critically appraise the history and context of social work practice in Australia with a focus on its impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
• articulate an understanding of the values and ethics relevant to social work practice and critique their application in the work place context;
• work independently and/or in teams to creatively, collaboratively and effectively use audio-visual and online technologies to demonstrate appropriate interpersonal skills.

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.