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.
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
Assimilate and demonstrate professional and ethica...
Learning Outcome 02
Apply knowledge and skills developed in theory and...
Learning Outcome 03
Understand and prepare for Field Education process...
Learning Outcome 04
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.
Hurdle Task
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
Pass/
Fail
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.
Pass/
Fail
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.
Pass/
Fail
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.
Pass/
Fail
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