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Unit outline_

SCWK2011: Professional Practice A

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

In this unit, student will be introduced to key theoretical and practice concepts and approached in social work. Students will develop foundational interpersonal and practice oriented written communication skills including case notes and report writing. Micro skills in social work practice will be explored to support the development of listening, interviewing techniques, professional boundaries, confidentiality, rapport building and empathy. Students will connect the role of social work skills, values and ethics within a broader social justice framework.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Social Work
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
36cp including (SCWK1001 and SCWK1002) and (SCLG1001 and SCLG1002)
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Margaret Spencer, margaret.spencer@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Sacha Jamieson, sacha.jamieson@sydney.edu.au
Margaret Spencer, margaret.spencer@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Social Work Report
Social work Report
30% Formal exam period
Due date: 11 Nov 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 25 Nov 2024
2,000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO5
Assignment hurdle task Case Study Relfection
Reflective response to a case study
20% Week 05
Due date: 30 Aug 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 13 Sep 2024
1,000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Creative assessment / demonstration hurdle task Simulation Interview
Recorded role-play Interview with a service user
25% Week 08
Due date: 18 Sep 2024 at 09:00

Closing date: 18 Sep 2024
10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4
Presentation hurdle task group assignment Making communication accessible
In small groups will present on making communication accessible
25% Week 09
Due date: 25 Sep 2024 at 09:00

Closing date: 25 Sep 2024
20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Case study Reflection (20% 1000 words).  Choose two case studies from four options and write a reflective response for each. 

1x10 minutes (25%). You will undertake a role-play interview that will be recorded. Post the role play, you will write a  self-evaluation of your  performance in the interview (1,000 words) 

1x20 minute group presentation (25% (equivalent of 500 words). You will present on how to make communication accessible to particular client groups. 

1x2000 word (30%) - social work report. 

More detials about each assessmetn can be found on Canvas.

 

Assessment criteria

Result Name  Mark Range  Description 
High Distinction  100-85

Your work is of an exceptional standard. It demonstrates a complex and nuanced understanding of key concepts that can be applied to a professional context.

Distinction  84-75

Your work is of a very high standard. It demonstrates an in-depth understanding of key concepts, with links between theory and practical application.

 

 

Credit  74-65

Your work meets a high standard, demonstrating an understanding of the key concepts of the assignment task and learning outcomes.

 

Pass 64-50

Your work meets a satisfactory standard, demonstrating a basic understanding of assignment tasks and learning outcomes.

Fail  49-0 

Your work does not meet the unit's learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard.

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date: •Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date. •After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to Professional Practice Block teaching (3 hr) LO3 LO5
Week 02 Social Work Values and Ethics Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 03 Social Work Code of Ethics Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 The Casework Relationship: Entering into the lives of others Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 05 Interpersonal Communication Skills Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO4
Week 06 Micro skills of Interviewing Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO4
Week 07 Reflective Practice Techniques Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 A Simulation Interview Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Adapting communication for particular populations Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Documenting Practice Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Writing reports and support letters Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Reflection on Learning Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO5

Attendance and class requirements

The Sydney School of Education and Social Work requires attendance of at least 90 percent of all seminars, workshops or lectures. Where a student is unable to attend at the required rate evidence of illness or misadventure may be required and the student may be required to undertake extra work. Students should discuss the circumstances of their absence(s) with the coordinator of the unit of study. Further details are provided in the School canvas site:  https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/13426

 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Required Textbooks for this Unit.

Healy, K. & Mulholland, J. (2019) Writing Skills for Social Workers (3rd Edition) Sage 

McAuliffe, D., Boddy, J., and Chenoweth, L. (2024) The Road to Social Work and Human Service Practice (7th Edition)  Cengage Press

To purchase the e-book go to: https://au.cengage.com/c/the-road-to-social-work-and-human-service-practice-7e-mcauliffe-boddy-chenoweth/9780170470940/

 

 

 

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Demonstrate foundation micro skills in social work practice
  • LO2. Understand key ethical frameworks and scenarios in direct social work practice
  • LO3. Understand the role of the social work profession in a range of practice contexts
  • LO4. Apply key social work skills and knowledge
  • LO5. Reflect on the importance of professional practice skills in social work

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is a new Unit of Study and has not been subject to USS feedback.

Work, health and safety

As per University policies and procedures.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.