WS5517 - Foundations for Social Work Practice

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. Learning will include working respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the context of social work. 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 people in the context of social work and explore their own career preferences, goals and employability skills. 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 and the employment market.

Learning Outcomes

• 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;
• work independently and/or in teams to creatively, collaboratively and effectively use audio-visual and online technologies to demonstrate appropriate interpersonal skills;
• evaluate and apply the skills, values and ethics relevant to social work practice and employability in the human services industry;
• demonstrate professional listening and reflective communication skills and use these skills in transforming structures, processes, practices and inequities;
• critique and apply core theoretical frameworks to engage with and enable individuals to achieve individual social and environmental justice;
• formulate and demonstrate a high level of self-insight into career motivators, goals, development needs and accountability for own learning and professional development.

Subject Assessment

• Written > Test/Quiz 1 - (20%) - Individual
• Written > Essay (including multi-draft) 1 - (40%) - Individual
• Oral > Interview - (40%) - Individual.

Special Assessment Requirements

On campus workshop attendance is a requirement of this subject.

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.