Year
2023Credit points
10Campus offering
No unit offerings are currently available for this unit.Prerequisites
NilTeaching organisation
On Campus: 4 hours per week for twelve weeks or equivalent totalling 48 hours.
ACU Online: 150 hours of study
Unit rationale, description and aim
All social workers can expect to work with children, young people and families, whether they practice directly with clients, or are in advocacy, policy, community development, or research roles.
This unit provides students with the knowledge and skills to practice competently and ethically as social workers with children, young people and families from diverse backgrounds, in different contexts. The unit revises knowledge of developmental stages and analyses the progress of social work practice with families and children through consideration of a number of theories and models. The unit includes development of advanced knowledge and skills in working directly with children, young people and families including working with families at various points in family and life stages. Emphasis is given to the principles of collaborative practice, strengths based practice, child and family centred practice, and child safety and protection.
This unit will provide students with an essential area of competency, as outlined by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), in working with children, young people and families. The aim of this unit is to provide an evidence informed theoretical foundation as well as the development of ethical skills for future social work practice in the area of child and adolescent wellbeing and protection, and for working collaboratively with families.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:
LO1 - Describe issues experienced by children, young people and families from diverse backgrounds in a range of contexts (GA4, GA5)
LO2 - Demonstrate knowledge of social work ethics in practice with children, youth and families from diverse backgrounds (GA3, GA4, GA5, GA8)
LO3 - Assess and respond effectively to complexities of social work practice with children, young people and families, including issues of child protection and family and domestic violence (GA3, GA4, GA5, GA9)
LO4 - Apply understanding of the use of self and use of theory and research to social work practice with children, young people and families from diverse backgrounds (GA1, GA4, GA5, GA8)
LO5 - Apply a wide range of advanced assessment and intervention skills in social work practice with children, young people and families, demonstrating use of effective oral and advanced written communication skills (GA1, GA2, GA4, GA5, GA8, GA9)
Graduate attributes
GA1 - Demonstrate respect for the dignity of each individual and for human diversity
GA2 - Recognise their responsibility to the common good, the environment and society
GA3 - Apply ethical perspectives in informed decision making
GA4 - Think critically and reflectively
GA5 - Demonstrate values, knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate to the discipline and/or profession
GA8 - Locate, organise, analyse, synthesise and evaluate information
GA9 - Demonstrate effective communication in oral and written English language and visual media
AASW Practice Standards
This Unit has been mapped to the ACU Graduate Attributes and the ASWEAS Profession-Specific Graduate Attributes. The following table sets out the broad relationship between the Learning Outcomes, Graduate Attributes and the ASWEAS Profession-Specific Graduate Attributes provided in the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards: https://www.aasw.asn.au/document/item/13565
Standard/Attributes/Criteria | Learning Outcomes |
---|---|
1.Values and ethics | |
2.Professionalism | |
3.Culturally responsive and inclusive practice | |
4.Knowledge for practice | |
5.Applying knowledge to practice | |
6.Communication and Interpersonal skills | |
7.Information recording and sharing | |
8.Professional development and supervision |
ASWEAS Profession-Specific Graduate Attributes
Standards/Attributes/Criteria | Learning Outcomes |
---|---|
4.2 Understand and articulate social work and other relevant theories and concepts | LO1 |
Practice in accordance with the Code of Ethics (2020) 4.2 Understand and articulate social work and other relevant theories and concepts | LO2 |
5.1 Conduct an assessment and analysis of needs to inform the services being offered 5.3 Use a range of specific social work methods and techniques appropriate to area of practice | LO3 |
Manage ethical dilemmas in practice 2.1 Represent the social work profession with integrity and professionalism 4.4 Understand and articulate how and when theories, knowledge bases and knowledge sources inform practice 5.4 Apply critical and reflective thinking to practice | LO4 |
3.1 Work respectfully and inclusively with cultural difference and diversity 3.2 respect, strive to understand and promote the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their cultures 6.1 Effectively communicate with a diverse range of people. | LO5 |
Content
Topics will include:
Specialised knowledge
- Theories of childhood, development, adolescence and family
- Systems
- Child protection/safety, including knowledge of state based legislation and relevant mandatory reporting requirements
- Family and domestic violence
Practice theories and approaches
- Solution focused approaches
- Child centred practice
- Family centred practice
- Collaborative practice and pro social modelling
- Psychodynamic theory
- Attachment
- Crisis Intervention
- Post-structural approaches (Narrative, Strengths)
- Practice frameworks which are informed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural knowledge and perspectives
Contemporary contexts of practice with children, young people and families
- Culturally diverse context of families
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, children and young people
Ethics
- Social work ethics, social justice and human rights framework in work with families, children and young people
Skill development
- Effective communication skills in conducting assessment and intervention
- Critically reflective use of self
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
ON CAMPUS
This unit involves 150 hours of learning using a blended approach to delivery with a combination of intensive workshops, and online content and activities.
The unit begins with intensive workshops, incorporating small group reflective and skills exercises to allow students to link social work theory and knowledge with their emerging practice. Case-based learning is utilised allowing students to acquire knowledge and beginning skills in assessment frameworks and intervention strategies. Assessments 1 and 2 are incorporated into the intensive workshop activities.
Online material provided detailed content on knowledge that informs practice with children, young people and families. Recordings from guest practitioners will also be incorporated into online content, to provide students real-world examples of practice with children, young people or families.
ACU ONLINE
This unit involves 150 hours of learning. It will be delivered in an online mode using an active learning approach. Students will have access to self-paced learning modules, contemporary literature, multi-media resources and collaborative discussion forums. Real-world examples of practice with children, young people and families will be provided by a range of practitioners. Online discussion forums will facilitate learning by sharing critical reflections with a focus on case-based learning relating to social work with children and families. This flexible and inclusive learning approach will allow students to meet the aim, learning outcomes and graduate attributes of the unit, as well as professional practice standards.
Assessment strategy and rationale
ON CAMPUS
The assessments in this unit are an important part of learning. They provide students with the opportunity to critically reflect on self, present their knowledge on social work theory, and apply their knowledge to the tasks of analyzing and planning for assessment and intervention.
This unit takes an authentic assessment approach enabling students to demonstrate their learning and competency to currently relevant practice scenarios. The assessments are designed to give students the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of social work theories that inform this area of practice as well as demonstrate their developing skills in critical reflection of self, and holistic assessment and intervention planning for families, children and young people.
The first assignment (discussion forum post) requires students to engage with a key reading from the unit regarding social work practice with families and present this information in a coherent and professional manner to their colleagues.
Assessment 2 is in two parts. After viewing a recording of a social work session, students will be quizzed on their ability to identify practice theory approaches. Part B asks students to orally present a critique of the session, enabling them to assess client needs and respond with appropriate strategies and case planning.
In Assessment 3, students are required to demonstrate and apply knowledge of relevant theory to assessing needs and developing an intervention plan for a complex family scenario with children. They are also required to reflect on ethical issues, as well as professional and personal values when responding to the case study, ensuring a thoughtful approach to practice that can manage bias, consider alternative perspectives, and assess and respond to risk.
ACU ONLINE
This unit takes an authentic assessment approach enabling students to engage with relevant practice scenarios. The assessments are designed to give students the opportunity to develop their knowledge of social work theories, skills in critical reflection of self and holistic assessment and intervention with children, young people and their families.
The first assignment (discussion forum post) requires students to engage with a key reading from the unit regarding social work practice with families and present this information in a coherent and professional manner to their colleagues.
Assessment 2 is in two parts. After viewing a recording of a social work session, students will be quizzed on their ability to identify practice theory approaches. Part B asks students to orally non-synchronously present a critique of the session, enabling them to assess client needs and respond with appropriate strategies and case planning.
In Assessment 3, students are required to demonstrate and apply knowledge of relevant theory to assessing needs and developing an intervention plan for a complex family scenario with children. They are also required to reflect on ethical issues, as well as professional and personal values when responding to the case study, ensuring a thoughtful approach to practice that can manage bias, consider alternative perspectives, and assess and respond to risk.
Overview of assessments
Brief Description of Kind and Purpose of Assessment Tasks | Weighting | Learning Outcomes | Graduate Attributes |
---|---|---|---|
Discussion forum post – Enables students to engage with a key reading from the unit and share this in an online discussion forum. 500 words. | 20% | LO1, LO2, LO3 | GA3, GA4, GA5, GA8, GA9 |
Analysis and critique of a session - Analysis and critique of a session - Enables students to further develop their ability to analyse an engagement session, assess client needs and respond with appropriate strategies and case planning. Quiz (Part A): [15%] Critique e-presentation (Part B): [25%] Duration: 10mins (plus reference list) | 40% | LO1, LO2, LO4, LO5 | GA1, GA2, GA3, GA4, GA5, GA8, GA9 |
Social Work with Families Case Study - Enables students to identify and develop the key social work skills necessary for conducting social work assessments and interventions with families. 2000 words. | 40% | LO4, LO5 | GA1, GA2, GA3, GA4, GA5, GA8, GA9 |
Representative texts and references
Arney, F. & Scott, D. (Eds) (2013). Working with Vulnerable Families: a partnership approach (2nd ed), Melbourne: Cambridge University Press.
Australian Association of Social Workers (2020). Code of ethics. Canberra: AASW.
Briskman, L. (2014). Social Work with Indigenous Communities (2nd ed), Sydney: Federation Press.
Collins, D.,Jordan, C. & Coleman, H. (2013). An introduction to Family Social Work (4th ed). California: Brooks/Cole
Featherstone, B., White, S. & Morris, K. (2014). Re-imagining Child Protection: Towards humane social work with families. Bristol UK: Policy Press.
Geldard, K., & Geldard, D (2016). Counselling adolescents: The proactive approach for young people. London: Sage
Harms, L. (2010). Understanding Human Development: A multidimensional approach (2nd ed.). Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
Lindsey, J. & Dempsey, D. (2014). Families, Relationships and Intimate Life (2nd ed), Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
Mainstone, F. (2014). Mastering whole family assessment in social work: Balancing the needs of children, adults and their families. London. Jessica Kingsley.
Trotter, C. (2013). Collaborative Family Work, Sydney: Allen & Unwin.