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Unit outline_

SCWK5050: Practice Learning 1

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

Field education is a core component in all social work degree programs. This first placement consists of 500 hours working in a social work context and the fortnightly integration of learning seminars. In these seminars students explore issues rising in placement through the lenses of the theory/practice relationship, core social work practice knowledge, skills, and values. The seminar also provides students with the opportunities to access peer support and to consult with their field education teacher. The written assignments comprise the placement portfolio

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Social Work
Credit points 12
Prerequisites
? 
24 credit points
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) Aisha Akkawi, aisha.akkawi@sydney.edu.au
Sarah Murray Heal, sarah.murrayheal@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation group assignment Learning Circle Group Presentation
Groups present on a placement topic common to their experiences.
0% Formal exam period
Due date: 11 Nov 2024 at 23:59
30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Placement hurdle task Written
Placement 1 - learning plan
0% Multiple weeks 1500wd
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Placement hurdle task Written
Portfolio 2- Mid-placement evaluation report
0% Multiple weeks 1500wd
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Placement hurdle task Written
Portfolio 3 - end of placement report
0% Multiple weeks 1500wd
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Pass/Fail

Assessment criteria

Pass/Fail 

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.

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.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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
Formal exam period Group Presentations & Wrap Up Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week -01 Pre Placement Seminar Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 05 Making the most of supervision Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO5 LO8
Week 07 Developing your social work identity Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 11 Socially Just Practice Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9

Attendance and class requirements

The Sydney School of Education and Social Work requires attending all field education seminars. Where a student cannot participate in a seminar, evidence of illness or misadventure may be required, and the student may be required to undertake extra work. Students should discuss the circumstances of the absences(s) with their class teacher 

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 12 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 240-300 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings are available via Canvas 

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 the ability to conduct themselves according to the values, principles and guidelines of the AASW Code of Ethics 2020.
  • LO2. Demonstrate knowledge of working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to support their priorities and aspirations.
  • LO3. Demonstrate an understanding of the role social workers play in advocating for policy initiatives and approaches to practice aimed at achieving fair and equitable access for people to social, health, economic, environmental and political resources.
  • LO4. Demonstrate the ability to practice respectfully and inclusively with regard to culture and diversity.
  • LO5. Demonstrate the ability to practice within a professional knowledge framework informed by a critical understanding of contemporary social work theory and research.
  • LO6. Demonstrate the ability to make professional decisions on the basis of a holistic assessment of the needs, strengths, goals and preferences of people
  • LO7. Demonstrate social work identity; exhibiting a sense of connectedness to the profession and appreciation for the standing of the profession.
  • LO8. Demonstrate the capacity to engage in regular structured supervision from social work-qualified supervisors.
  • LO9. Demonstrate the capacity to constructively reflect on emergent skills, knowledge, and expertise with a view to improving and broadening professional learning and development

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 Unit Ouline is revised based on student feedback in the annual USS

See the Field Education Handbook 2024.

Site visit guidelines

If you are undertaking professional experience/field education placement as part of your enrolment in this unit of study, please assess your specific needs and requirements for the safe and successful completion of an external placement within a host organization. You will be given the opportunity to disclose any health issues that have a work health and safety significance before arranging a placement so that your safety, and the safety of others, can be properly assessed. The Professional Experience Coordinator/Field Education Manager will work to ensure that the workplace assignment to you is appropriate for your needs and requirements. If you are experiencing disability and require reasonable adjustments to be made, please get in touch with Disability Services as soon as possible before commencing the internship. Please note, in all cases, and to organize reasonable adjustments, only the impact and not the nature, of your disability will be disclosed to the host organization.

Work, health and safety

See The Field Education Handbook 2024.

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.