Unit rationale, description and aim

ON CAMPUS:

This final field education unit comprises a 500 hour placement and includes participation in 10 hours of campus-based integrative seminars. Field Practicum 2 builds on professional practice development achieved in Field Practicum 1 (SWTP 625) to consolidate social work identity development and facilitate integration of practice skills, knowledge, values and ethics to the level of beginner practitioner. Learning in this unit is informed by the AASW Practice Standards and the AASW Code of Ethics. The learning outcomes of the unit are consistent with the Social Work curriculum that embeds Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and prepares students for practice with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  

ACU ONLINE:

This final field education unit comprises a 500 hour placement inclusive of 14 hours of practice-theory integration activities. Field Practicum 2 builds on professional practice development achieved in Field Practicum 1 (SWTP 625) to consolidate social work identity development and facilitate integration of practice skills, knowledge, values and ethics to the level of beginner practitioner. Learning in this unit is informed by the AASW Practice Standards and the AASW Code of Ethics. The learning outcomes of the unit are consistent with the Social Work curriculum that embeds Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and prepares students for practice with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

2025 30

Campus offering

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  • Term Mode
  • Semester 2Campus Attendance
  • Term Mode
  • ACU Term 3Online Unscheduled
  • Term Mode
  • Semester 2Campus Attendance

Prerequisites

(SWTP625 Field Practicum 1 AND SWTP626 Social Work with Groups AND SWTP627 Social Work with Communities AND SWTP629 Social Work Research AND SWTP634 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Social Work ) OR (SWTP624 Social Work with Children, Youth and Family AND SWTP625 Field Practicum 1 AND SWTP626 Social Work with Groups AND SWTP627 Social Work with Communities AND SWTP629 Social Work Research AND SWTP632 Social Policy, Contemporary Issues and Social Work )

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.

Implement knowledge of social work practice and se...

Learning Outcome 01

Implement knowledge of social work practice and service delivery in an organisational setting
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC3, GC4, GC5, GC6, GC9

Assimilate and demonstrate professional and ethica...

Learning Outcome 02

Assimilate and demonstrate professional and ethical behaviour appropriate to the practice setting
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC2, GC7, GC8, GC11, GC12

Apply knowledge and skills developed in theory and...

Learning Outcome 03

Apply knowledge and skills developed in theory and skills units and in the placement setting to capably demonstrate AASW professional standards
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC3, GC4, GC5, GC6, GC7, GC8, GC10, GC12

Understand and prepare for Field Education process...

Learning Outcome 04

Understand and prepare for Field Education processes and experiences
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC3, GC7, GC8, GC9

Content

ATTENDANCE:

Integrative seminars respond to the learning needs of students as they work toward meeting the AASW requirements for placement. Seminars are interactive and experience-based discussions and exercises that explore placement processes and experiences with a focus on 

  • relating theory and knowledge to practice 
  • exploring values & ethics in practice 
  • critical reflection  
  • building social work identity.

ACU ONLINE:

This unit content is determined by the placement allocated to the student by the ACU Field Education staff. 

The scheduled Integrative online webinars respond to the learning needs of students, as they work toward meeting the AASW requirements for placement. Webinars are interactive and experience-based, encouraging discussions and exercises that explore placement processes and experiences with a focus on

• relating theory and knowledge to practice

• exploring values & ethics in practice

• critical reflection

• building social work identity.

Assessment strategy and rationale

Students are assessed on a range of activities that accumulate prior to commencing placement and over the beginning, middle and end of the placement and which reflect developmental and experiential learning principles. Assessment of placement preparation is designed to reinforce the student’s learning in relation to the process of placement. The assessments of learning prior to placement and at the beginning, middle and end are designed to identify areas of competence and deficit, as well as strategies for students to address areas of deficit prior to the next assessment point. The pre-placement quiz must be completed and passed at 100% for the student to be eligible to begin placement. This promotes the student’s understanding of the process and expectations of placement. The tasks that contribute to the assessments during placement include a Learning Agreement, Mid Placement Report and Final Placement Report. The mid and end of placement report are structured in line with Australian Association of Social Workers Practice Standards. Students are also required to submit a signed timesheet at the end of their placement. Each assessment task is informed by the identified learning outcomes for the unit.

The Learning Agreement is developed in collaboration with the social work supervisor. It sets out the specific goals and activities associated with the placement and the nature of evidence required to demonstrate achievement of learning outcomes.

The Mid Placement report requires students to demonstrate their progress toward their learning goals at the mid-point of their placement. The report also includes feedback from the student’s Field Educators. This task provides students with the opportunity to review progress against learning goals and plan for tasks and strategies to meet goals for the remainder of the placement. The Mid Placement tasks enable students to articulate the connections between relevant social work theory and ethics to their placement experience in order to develop informed practice decision making.

In the Final Placement Report, students demonstrate their progress toward and achievement of the learning goals at the conclusion of their placement. The report also includes feedback from the student’s Field Educators. Students use the Final Placement Report to evidence beginning practice capability.

In negotiation with the ACU Liaison Visitor and Social Work Supervisor, students will be able to revise the Learning Agreement and Mid Placement Report in response to feedback on the requirements to achieve a satisfactory standard.

In order to pass this unit, Students are required to pass the preplacement quiz, submit all assessment pieces to a pass standard, complete all 500 hours of placement and attend integrative seminars as per the attendance requirements.

Overview of assessments

Hurdle Task preplacement quiz Reinforces the inf...

Hurdle Task preplacement quiz

Reinforces the information about placement processes and what to expect during placement.

Weighting

Hurdle Task

Learning Outcomes LO4

Learning Agreement Enables students to identify ...

Learning Agreement

Enables students to identify their learning goals, tasks and timeframes for completion in alignment with AASW Practice Standards 

Weighting

Pass/

Fail

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3

Mid Placement report, including Theory to Practic...

Mid Placement report, including Theory to Practice/Ethics Presentation 

Students need to demonstrate their progress against their learning goals at the mid-point of their placement. The report also needs to include feedback from the student’s Field Educators.  

Enables students to articulate the connections between relevant social work theory and ethics to their placement experience in the form of a 20 minute presentation at the mid-placement liaison contact. 

Weighting

Pass/

Fail

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3

Final Placement Report   Students need to demons...

Final Placement Report  

Students need to demonstrate their progress and completion against their learning goals at the conclusion of their placement. The report also needs to include feedback from the student’s Field Educators. 

Weighting

Pass/

Fail

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3

Completed timesheet Students are required to mai...

Completed timesheet

Students are required to maintain and submit a record of the placement hours completed in order to meet AASW requirements for graduation as a social worker. 

Weighting

Pass/

Fail

Learning Outcomes LO2

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

CAMPUS ATTENDANCE:

For this final professional experience unit, learning happens in three asynchronous, online preplacement sessions, in the 500-hour placement and in the classroom. The main teaching and learning strategies include experiential learning, reflective learning, practice - theory integration and skills development. These are used in the placement setting, and integration of this experience with social work knowledge, values and ethics is facilitated in 10 hours of campus-based integrative seminars. Planned learning goals and strategies for the specific placement are recorded in the Learning Agreement. . This Unit Outline needs to be read in conjunction with the Social Work Field Education Handbook. 

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS OF PLACEMENT UNIT 

Punctual and full attendance on the placement is an essential requirement for the unit. The attendance requirements are specified in ACU Assessment Policy and guided by the requirements of AASW accredited social work programs. Attendance at all integrative seminars is expected and an attendance record of all seminars will be kept. Students are required to attend at least 80% of all integrative seminars scheduled for this unit. 

Reasons why attendance is required 

To fulfil the requirements of the AASW, students must complete 1000 hours of placement over a minimum of two placement units. In integrative seminars, students will be interacting with each other, developing skills which they will use in professional/clinical experience. Students who do not attend are at risk of not developing these essential skills. Attendance is required as part of meeting the AASW requirement to integrate campus learning with field placement learning and skill development. 

ACU ONLINE:

For this final professional experience unit, learning happens in three asynchronous, online preplacement sessions, in the 500-hour placement and in the classroom. The main teaching and learning strategies include experiential learning, reflective learning, practice - theory integration and skills development. These are used in the placement setting, and integration of this experience with social work knowledge, values and ethics is facilitated in 10 hours of campus-based integrative seminars. Planned learning goals and strategies for the specific placement are recorded in the Learning Agreement. . This Unit Outline needs to be read in conjunction with the Social Work Field Education Handbook. 

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS OF PLACEMENT UNIT 

Punctual and full attendance on the placement is an essential requirement for the unit. The attendance requirements are specified in ACU Assessment Policy and guided by the requirements of AASW accredited social work programs. Attendance at all integrative webinars is expected and an attendance record of all seminars will be kept. Students are required to attend at least 80% of all integrative seminars scheduled for this unit. 

Reasons why attendance is required 

To fulfil the requirements of the AASW, students must complete 1000 hours of placement over a minimum of two placement units. In integrative webinars, students will be interacting with each other, developing skills which they will use in professional/clinical experience. Students who do not attend are at risk of not developing these essential skills. Attendance is required as part of meeting the AASW requirement to integrate campus learning with field placement learning and skill development. 

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

    Conduct themselves according to the values, principles and guidelines of the AASW

    Code of Ethics 2020

    Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO2

  • 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 outcomeLO1, LO2

  • Relating to

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

    management

    Relevant learning outcomeLO2

  • Relating to

    Can articulate the ethics underpinning their approach to decisions and actions

    Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Are willing and able to seek advice from supervisors or senior colleagues on ethical

    issues

    Relevant learning outcomeLO2

  • Relating to

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

    their priorities and aspirations

    Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO3

  • Relating to

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

    Strait Islander cultures throughout Australia

    Relevant learning outcomeLO3

  • 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 outcomeLO3

  • Relating to

    Adopt appropriate cultural and communication protocols

    Relevant learning outcomeLO1

  • Relating to

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

    Relevant learning outcomeLO2

  • Relating to

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

    upheld

    Relevant learning outcomeLO2

  • Relating to

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

    violence

    Relevant learning outcomeLO2

  • Relating to

    Promote public policy initiatives aimed at eliminating structural and systemic

    inequities experienced by people

    Relevant learning outcomeLO2, LO3

  • Relating to

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

    and diversity

    Relevant learning outcomeLO2

  • Relating to

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

    diversity

    Relevant learning outcomeLO2

  • Relating to

    Respectfully engage with people who have culturally diverse identities

    Relevant learning outcomeLO2

  • Relating to

    Adapt and modify their practice on the basis of a critical awareness of how their

    personal values, cultures and beliefs impact on their interactions with people

    Relevant learning outcomeLO2

  • Relating to

    Practise within a professional knowledge framework informed by a critical

    understanding of contemporary social work theory and research

    Relevant learning outcomeLO1

  • Relating to

    Work from a clearly articulated framework for reflective practice

    Relevant learning outcomeLO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Contribute their critical perspectives in interactions with other professions in a

    positive and constructive manner

    Relevant learning outcomeLO1

  • Relating to

    Practise within the limits of their professional scope, knowledge and skills and, where

    necessary, direct people to alternative sources of professional advice

    Relevant learning outcomeLO2

  • Relating to

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

    strengths, goals and preferences of people

    Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO3

  • Relating to

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

    professional judgement affecting people

    Relevant learning outcomeLO2

  • Relating to

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

    decisions

    Relevant learning outcomeLO3

  • Relating to

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

    Relevant learning outcomeLO2

  • Relating to

    Assess the nature and level of risk to people and incorporate that into the overall

    assessment

    Relevant learning outcomeLO3

  • 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 outcomeLO1

  • Relating to

    Actively contribute to strengthening and promoting the identity and standing of the

    profession

    Relevant learning outcomeLO1

  • Relating to

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

    people they serve, including within interdisciplinary settings

    Relevant learning outcomeLO1

  • Relating to

    Treat colleagues and all who contribute to the wellbeing of service users with

    courtesy, and demonstrate respect for their individual expertise

    Relevant learning outcomeLO1

  • Relating to

    Actively participate in professional supervision to build and strengthen their practice

    Relevant learning outcomeLO1

  • Relating to

    Undertake formal supervision, relevant to their area of practice, by an appropriately

    trained, senior social work qualified supervisor

    Relevant learning outcomeLO1

  • Relating to

    Maintain a record of supervision for the duration of the supervisory relationship

    Relevant learning outcomeLO1

  • Relating to

    Use supervision to examine and critically reflect upon their personal and professional

    values and the implications for practice

    Relevant learning outcomeLO2

  • Relating to

    Use supervision to demonstrate integration of professional knowledge and theoretical

    approaches to practice

    Relevant learning outcomeLO3

  • Relating to

    Monitor, evaluate and review their skills, knowledge and expertise

    Relevant learning outcomeLO4

  • Relating to

    Identify their current and future professional learning needs

    Relevant learning outcomeLO4

  • Relating to

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

    informing their practice

    Relevant learning outcomeLO4

Representative texts and references

Representative texts and references

AASW Code of Ethics (2020) 

https://www.aasw.asn.au/about-aasw/ethics-standards/code-of-ethics/


AASW Practice Standards (2023) 

https://www.aasw.asn.au/about-aasw/ethics-standards/practice-standards/

Cleak, H., & Wilson, J. (2019). (4th Ed.) Making the most of field education. South Melbourne: 

Cengage Learning. 

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