Unit rationale, description and aim

Social workers analyse, implement and contribute to the development of social policy. This unit analyses the policy dimensions of social work practice in the Australian context. Students will identify and analyse public policy issues relevant for social work practice. The unit emphasises skill development in advocacy, and the analysis of public policy, particularly in relation to vulnerable and diverse populations within a broader ethical social work practice framework. As such, this unit will provide students with an essential area of competency in examining how social policy frameworks explain the development and implementation of policy in both government and non-government contexts. This unit aims to provide students with core knowledge and skills for social work practice in the areas of social policy.

2025 10

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  • Term Mode
  • Semester 1Campus Attendance
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  • Semester 1Campus Attendance
  • Term Mode
  • Semester 1Campus Attendance

Prerequisites

SWTP321 - Field Education in Social Work 2 OR SWTP333 Social Work Field Education 1

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.

Outline the policy context of social work practice...

Learning Outcome 01

Outline the policy context of social work practice and the practice skills required
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC5, GC7

Relate social policy frameworks to the social, pol...

Learning Outcome 02

Relate social policy frameworks to the social, political and cultural contexts of public/social policy
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC4, GC6, GC7, GC9

Apply social work values, skills and ethics to cri...

Learning Outcome 03

Apply social work values, skills and ethics to critique selected contemporary social issues and related policy responses
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC2, GC3, GC8

Articulate clearly an informed position on a selec...

Learning Outcome 04

Articulate clearly an informed position on a selected policy issue that reflects the principles of social justice
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC3, GC9, GC11, GC12

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 




Assessment strategy and rationale

Students draw on academic literature to examine a social policy issue impacting on social work practice. The critical media analysis and group presentation assesses students’ capacity to identify and reflect on contemporary public policy discourses in the field of public policy. These directly relate to understanding social policy frameworks to the social, political and cultural contexts of public/social policy (LO2) examining key public policy discourses in social work practice and its addressed in the curricula. These assignments are authentic and adopt critical thinking approaches key to social work in a public policy environment. The policy proposal assesses students’ ability to prioritise, plan and engage with public policy through identification of social problems. These assessments give students an opportunity to articulate the importance of public policy in social work practice (LO4). 

Overview of assessments

Written assignment:  analyses a contemporary soci...

Written assignment: analyses a contemporary social policy issue , taking media representation of the issue into consideration.

Weighting

40%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3

Presentation on Policy Issue:  Students draw on a...

Presentation on Policy Issue: Students draw on academic literature to examine a social policy issue impacting on social work practice. This task enables students to develop a policy brief by identifying a significant policy issue. Students will present in small groups to further develop presentation skills

Weighting

20%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3

Policy Proposal Submission:   Requires students t...

Policy Proposal Submission:  Requires students to construct a significant policy proposal within the context of a current social policy agenda and makes recommendations for implementation.

Weighting

40%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

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).

  • 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

  • Relating to

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

    management

    Relevant learning outcomeLO1

  • Relating to

    Can articulate the ethics underpinning their approach to decisions and actions

    Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

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

    their priorities and aspirations

    Relevant learning outcomeLO4

  • Relating to

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

    Strait Islander cultures throughout Australia

    Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO3

  • Relating to

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

    peoples, and privilege their voices

    Relevant learning outcomeLO3

  • 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

  • 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

  • Relating to

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

    upheld

    Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

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

    violence

    Relevant learning outcomeLO3

  • Relating to

    Promote public policy initiatives aimed at eliminating structural and systemic

    inequities experienced by people

    Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

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

    and diversity

    Relevant learning outcomeLO4

  • Relating to

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

    diversity

    Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

  • 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

  • Relating to

    Work from a clearly articulated framework for reflective practice

    Relevant learning outcomeLO4

  • Relating to

    Contribute their critical perspectives in interactions with other professions in a

    positive and constructive manner

    Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO2

  • 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

  • Relating to

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

    professional judgement affecting people

    Relevant learning outcomeLO4

  • Relating to

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

    decisions

    Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

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

    Relevant learning outcomeLO2

  • 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

  • Relating to

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

    the people they serve or work with

    Relevant learning outcomeLO3

  • 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

  • Relating to

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

    informing their practice

    Relevant learning outcomeLO3, LO4

Representative texts and references

Bacchi. (2016). Poststructural policy analysis: a guide to practice. Palgrave Pivot.

Carson, E., & Kerr, L. (2017). Australian Social Policy and the Human Services. (2nd ed) Cambridge, University Press. 

Jamrozik, A. (2009). Issues and dimensions of social policy. Social Policy in the Post-Welfare State: Australian society in a changing world. Chapter 3: pp. 48-74. Frenchs Forest: Pearson Education Australia.

Marston, G. & Staines, Z. (2019). Social Policy. In P. Chen, N. Barry, J. Butcher, D. Clune, I. Cook, A. Garnier, Y. Haigh, S. C. Motta & M. Taflaga (Eds.) Australian Politics and Policy: Senior Edition. Chapter 22: Open Access. Sydney: Sydney University Press.

McClelland, A. & Marston, G. (2014). A framework for understanding and action. In A. McClelland & P. Smyth (Eds.) Social Policy in Australia: Understanding for Action (3rd Edition). Chapter 3, pp 32-59. South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

Mendes, P. (2017). The development of the welfare state: History, politics and ideology. Australia’s Welfare Wars: The players, the politics and the ideologies. Chapter 1, pp. 19-52. Sydney: New South Publishing. 

Western, M., Baxter, J., Pakulski, J., Tranter, B. & Western, J. et al (2007). Neoliberalism, inequality and politics: The changing face of Australia. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 42(3), pp. 401-418. 

Locations
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