Unit rationale, description and aim
Social Workers assess and respond sensitively and analytically to complex human problems within a social context.
In order to work effectively to enhance individual and community wellbeing and to achieve social justice and change, social workers must integrate theory, evidence and ethics to assess and design interventions in response to complex presenting circumstances. In this unit, students draw on knowledge from prior units in the examination and critical response to key social work practice questions. Building on prior learning, students locate practice evidence and apply ethical decision-making models to inform understanding of effective practice in response to practice questions. Students also choose a practice question that they find important, interesting and challenging as the focus for an in-depth analysis. Informed by evidence, theory and ethical decision-making, students develop, present and defend their position on effective practice in response to the chosen practice question. This scholarship and critically reflective work prepare students for ethical and evidence-informed decision-making for effective professional practice. Taken alongside the final placement, the aim of this unit is to demonstrate the integration of knowledge, theory and ethics as an entry-level social work practitioner.
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.
Locate, critically evaluate and interpret research...
Learning Outcome 01
Apply social work ethics and values to social work...
Learning Outcome 02
Apply research-informed, theoretically grounded, c...
Learning Outcome 03
Content
This unit takes a case scenario approach to the identification, analysis and response to social work practice questions. The case studies and intervention responses include social work practice at individual, family, group, organizational and societal levels. Practice scenarios will be analysed in class and students will be guidance through the evidence-gathering and analysis process as they examine social work practice questions of their own choice.
The analysis of practice scenarios and questions entails:
- Application of Social work theories that inform understanding of the practice area
- Examination of the social work values and ethics that inform practice questions and application of theories and frameworks that assist in navigating ethical decision-making in this practice area
- Gathering contextual knowledge, research and evidence that informs practice decision-making in the area of practice.
- Formulating, presenting and defending a position on effective practice in response to a practice question that is argued from theoretical, ethical and evidence perspectives.
Drawing on learning throughout the degree program, practice questions examined in this unit are drawn from the broad scope of social work practice. The population groups may include older people; children and young people, culturally and linguistically diverse populations; LGBTQI+; people experiencing homelessness; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People and communities; people with illness and/or disability, people with mental health issues, families. Practice contexts may include any field of practice such as health, corrections, disaster recovery, domestic and family violence; international social work, practice in rural and remote communities, loss and bereavement. Specific issues may include Catholic Social Teaching and social work, spirituality and social work or human rights and social work. Students may draw on practice questions that have presenting in their field placement unit/s.
Assessment strategy and rationale
The assessment tasks in this unit are designed to support the development of students’ capacity to integrate theory, ethics and evidence in practice decision-making.
Assessment 1 task builds on prior knowledge of social work ethics, elevating the level of critical analysis in relation to the identification of and response to ethical dilemmas and the application of ethical decision-making frameworks in navigating complex practice situations.
Assessment task 2 requires students integrate theory, ethics, knowledge and research evidence in arguing the case for a social work intervention plan in response to a practice scenario.
Assessment 3 is a 15-minute recorded e-presentation that assesses students' formulation and presentation of a research-informed, theoretically grounded and ethically reasoned practice response to a chosen social work practice question. Students are expected to demonstrate advanced oral and presentation skills. The audience, fellow students enrolled in the unit, will be encouraged to provide peer feedback via an online discussion forum, facilitated interaction, debate, and discussion on each presentation. This final assignment also provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding and application of the essential role of values in the practice of social work, with a particular focus on their chosen practice context.
In order to pass this unit students must demonstrate achievement of every unit learning outcome, and obtain a minimum mark of 50% in graded assessment task.
Overview of assessments
Case Analysis 1: Demonstrates ethical reasoning ...
Case Analysis 1: Demonstrates ethical reasoning and the application of ethical decision-making models to the assessment and proposed interventions in response to a social work practice scenario.
30%
Case Analysis 2: Demonstrates the integration of...
Case Analysis 2: Demonstrates the integration of theory, evidence and ethical reasoning in the assessment and intervention plan in response to a social work practice scenario.
30%
Multimedia e-Presentation: Students are required...
Multimedia e-Presentation: Students are required to develop an online recorded presentation (plus reference list) providing a succinct argument for effective practice in response to their chosen social work practice question.
Students are expected to integrate theories, evidence and ethical reasoning into their presentation. Students demonstrate deep understanding by responding to peer feedback via an online forum.
40%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
Teaching and learning strategies include online lecture material, discussion forums and interactive tasks and exercises, focusing on practice questions and practice scenarios that facilitate the application and integration of theories, knowledge and ethical principles in practice decision-making. Students are expected to engage in independent research to locate relevant research evidence to apply to practice questions. A major strategy is students’ engagement with the literature regarding their selected topic. Individual consultation sessions will be available with the lecturer in charge of the unit for the development of Assessment 3. These strategies reflect respect for the individual as an independent learner. Students will be expected to take responsibility for their individual topics and to participate actively within online activities and forums.
AASW Practice Standards
This Unit has been mapped to the ACU Graduate Attributes and the AASW Profession-Specific Graduate Attributes. The following table sets out the broad relationship between the Learning Outcomes, Graduate Attributes and the AASW Profession-Specific Graduate Attributes provided in the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards: https://www.aasw.asn.au/document/item/6073
ASWEAS Profession-Specific Graduate Attributes
This Unit has been mapped to the ACU Graduate Attributes and the AASW Profession-Specific Graduate Attributes. The following table sets out the broad relationship between the Learning Outcomes, Graduate Attributes and the AASW Profession-Specific Graduate Attributes provided in the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards: https://www.aasw.asn.au/document/item/6073