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.

Content

Topics will include:

The Institutions of Public Policy

• role of social workers in social policy
• social, political and cultural institutions
• not-for-profit sector
• values based organisations in the human services

Policy Advocacy, Media and Writing for Policy 

• Policy in the media context, debates, discourses, analysis

Contemporary Issues in Policy

• State and territory domains
• Commonwealth domain
• Indigenous Policy
• Multicultural Policy
• Women’s policy 
• Housing policy
• Disability
• Child safety 

Policy Analysis - Analytical skills

• Models and theory for understanding policy
• Comparative policy
• Policy practice framework
• The policy cycle
• The purpose of policy analysis
• Analytic frameworks
• Policy instruments
• Models of public decision making & influence

Policy Practice Skills

• interactional skills & communication
• developing linkages 
• analytical, interactional and political skills in policy discourse and practice
• writing policy skills
• implementing policy
• influencing change in the policy context
• evaluating policy in context 

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

This unit involves 150 hours with a combination of face-to-face lectures, small group tutorials and Canvas. A visit to the local Parliament to observe Parliament in sitting is also recommended.

The lectures ensure that there is adequate coverage on the definitions, processes and implementation frameworks in public policy analysis for social workers. Tutorials incorporate small group, collaborative learning with students engaging in group learning tasks and active discussion of contemporary public policy issues relevant to social work practitioners. In order to achieve associated learning outcomes, there is an 80% minimum attendance requirement for tutorials. Policy analysis and review includes identification of policy themes as prioritised by the Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) and Australian Association of Social Works (AASW). These resources will be utilised allowing students to better understand and explore good practice policy outcomes. Through this engagement with contemporary policy discourses in Australia students will be building skills and competency in advocacy through policy making.

Graduate Attributes and the Practice Standards (ASWEAS, 2024)

This Unit has been mapped to the ACU Graduate Capabilities and the Graduate Attributes and the Practice Standards (ASWEAS, 2024) . The following table sets out the broad relationship between the Learning Outcomes, Graduate Attributes and the Graduate Attributes and the Practice Standards (ASWEAS, 2024).

• 1.1

  Relating to

  Have a clear sense of accountability for their actions and accept responsibility for the

  decisions they make and their professional actions

  Relevant learning outcomeLO4

• 1.2

  Relating to

  Recognise and take responsibility for what is within their power, control or

  management

  Relevant learning outcomeLO1

• 1.4

  Relating to

  Can articulate the ethics underpinning their approach to decisions and actions

  Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• 2

  Relating to

  Practice in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to support

  their priorities and aspirations

  Relevant learning outcomeLO4

• 2.1

  Relating to

  Are aware of the diversity among, and differences between, Aboriginal and Torres

  Strait Islander cultures throughout Australia

  Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO3

• 2.2

  Relating to

  Respect the knowledge and lived experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

  peoples, and privilege their voices

  Relevant learning outcomeLO3

• 2.3

  Relating to

  Can recognise and draw upon the cultural knowledge, experience, and wisdom

  provided by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to guide approaches to

  practice

  Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO2

• 3

  Relating to

  Advocate for human rights and practice in ways that aim to achieve access, equity, participation and legal protection for all

  Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

• 3.1

  Relating to

  Ensure that the rights of the people they work with are promoted, protected, and

  upheld

  Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

• 3.3

  Relating to

  Support action to enable people to live a life free of abuse, neglect, exploitation and

  violence

  Relevant learning outcomeLO3

• 3.6

  Relating to

  Promote public policy initiatives aimed at eliminating structural and systemic

  inequities experienced by people

  Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• 4

  Relating to

  Conduct their approach to practice respectfully and inclusively with regard to culture

  and diversity

  Relevant learning outcomeLO4

• 4.1

  Relating to

  Apply an intersectional lens in their approach to complexities around culture and

  diversity

  Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• 5

  Relating to

  Practise within a professional knowledge framework informed by a critical

  understanding of contemporary social work theory and research

  Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• 5.1

  Relating to

  Work from a clearly articulated framework for reflective practice

  Relevant learning outcomeLO4

• 5.4

  Relating to

  Contribute their critical perspectives in interactions with other professions in a

  positive and constructive manner

  Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO2

• 6

  Relating to

  Make professional decisions on the basis of a holistic assessment of the needs,

  strengths, goals and preferences of people

  Relevant learning outcomeLO2, LO4

• 6.1

  Relating to

  Recognise, and use responsibly, the power and authority they have when exercising

  professional judgement affecting people

  Relevant learning outcomeLO4

• 6.3

  Relating to

  Critically assess the quality and veracity of all relevant information to support their

  decisions

  Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO3, LO4

• 6.4

  Relating to

  Make decisions aimed primarily at achieving the best possible outcomes for people

  Relevant learning outcomeLO2

• 6.6

  Relating to

  Make assessments and decide courses of action informed and guided by the lived

  experience, wishes and preferences of service users to the fullest extent possible

  Relevant learning outcomeLO2, LO3

• 6.8

  Relating to

  Consult with other professional practitioners who are contributing to the wellbeing of

  the people they serve or work with

  Relevant learning outcomeLO3

• 7.2

  Relating to

  Articulate and promote the unique scope and contribution of social work to the

  people they serve, including within interdisciplinary settings

  Relevant learning outcomeLO2, LO4

• 9.5

  Relating to

  Be active learners, open to new and emerging knowledge, research and evidence

  informing their practice

  Relevant learning outcomeLO3, LO4