Credit Points 30

Legacy Code 102397

Coordinator Justine O'Sullivan Opens in new window

Description The aim of this second practice education course is to build on learning obtained from the first placement and, through experiential learning, facilitate the integration of practice knowledge, skills and professional identity development for work-ready Master of Social Work (Qualifying) graduates. Drawing on their undergraduate qualifications and first placement experience, this subject enables students to develop graduate-ready knowledge of social work processes and demonstrate competent, independent practice in the context of a supervised field placement experience. This subject provides the opportunity for students to consolidate their knowledge of social work theory and demonstrate application of their skills and practice framework in a practice setting, preparing them for professional practice. Placements will be offered in direct, indirect or mixed service work within a wide range of service user groups and communities in the human services sector. Students are required to complete a total of 600 hours of placement, inclusive of three integrated seminars and two peer practice group meetings, in accordance with the accreditation requirements of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Learning is informed by the AASW Practice Standards (2023) and the AASW Code of Ethics (2020). By completion, students must demonstrate work-ready (graduate) practice capabilities expected of qualifying social work professionals.

School Social Sciences

Discipline Social Work

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 30cp

Check your fees via the Fees page.

Level Postgraduate Coursework Level 7 subject

Pre-requisite(s) WELF 7023 AND
WELF 7021

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled in 1792 Master of Social Work (Qualifying) and Students must complete 100 credit points before enrolling in this subject.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Utilise advanced skills in a specialised area of social work;
2. Demonstrate advanced social work skills and knowledge in diverse fields of practice including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island, cross-cultural, mental health and child wellbeing;
3. Be autonomous and independent in practice;
4. Articulate the values, interests and ideologies that underpin practice in the agency, and evaluate their implications for social work practice;
5. Constructively contribute to the work of the organisation and contribute ideas for change or improvement;
6. Critically reflect on their own practice, and evaluate their readiness for entering the social work workforce.

Subject Content

1. 600 hours of supervised practice
2. Writing a job application and resume for a social work position
3. Examining practice competence –the ‘theory and practice divide’
4. Exploring skills in dealing with difficult situations
5. Effective use of supervision
6. Understanding social work ‘competence’ in diverse fields of practice including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island, cross-cultural, mental health and child wellbeing
7. Evaluating evidence-based practice
8. Social justice as a framework for practice; social work as political practice
9. Dual relationships in ‘embedded’ social work practice
10. Working in uncertainty – the first year of practice

Special Requirements

Legislative pre-requisites

Prior to enrolling in this subject, students must have submitted a Student Undertaking Form and undertake to apply for a National Police Check, which is required to be submitted before placement, and a Working with Children Check Student Declaration.  Use the link to the Special Requirements webpage below for more information.

Student Compliance Information for all Health-Related Placements
To be eligible to enrol in a subject and attend a health-related placement in your program at a NSW Health facility, students must meet Western Sydney University course requirements and Special Legislative Requirements to be assessed in their first year of study against the following.

1. Student Undertaking form.
2.  National Criminal History Check: Students must have a current (expiring 3 years from date of issue) check valid for their entire program. A valid National Criminal history check must be an Australia wide check, include the student's full name matching their Student ID card and date of birth and not have any offences listed.  If a student has a criminal history identified on their check, they must provide a Clinical Placement Authority Card (CPAC) or conditional letter from the NSW HealthShare Employment Screening and Review Unit
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/careers/student_clearance/Documents/appendix-10-student-application.pdf
International students must additionally have a translated International Police Check or statutory declaration.
3.  A NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) clearance letter issued under the category of volunteer valid for their entire program.
Contact your School for further details. Resources are also available on the Placement Hub website