Unit rationale, description and aim

The social work profession responds to human vulnerabilities and social injustice. Social workers are constantly exposed to complex problems that require a sound foundation of theories and ethics to inform and guide how they respond to people, societal and structural issues. In this unit, students will be equipped with a coherent and contemporary knowledge base of theories, principles and concepts informing ethical social work across a diverse range of practice settings, including a consideration of the philosophical and religious sources of ethics, debates surrounding the status of theory in social work, and the role of power in knowledge production.  An essential element of study in this unit is the intersection of the personal and professional selves, and the development of the skills of critical reflection and critical analysis. The overarching aim of this unit is for students to acquire a coherent and evolving knowledge base to guide their social work across fields of practice.

2026 10

Campus offering

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  • Term Mode
  • ACU Term 1Campus Attendance
  • Term Mode
  • ACU Term 1Online Unscheduled
  • ACU Term 3Online Unscheduled
  • Term Mode
  • ACU Term 1Campus Attendance

Prerequisites

Nil

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.

Explain associations between social work purpose, ...

Learning Outcome 01

Explain associations between social work purpose, ethics and values, and theories, principles and concepts.
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC7, GC9, GC11

Critically analyse ethics and values, and theories...

Learning Outcome 02

Critically analyse ethics and values, and theories, principles and concepts informing social work practice
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC3, GC7, GC8, GC9, GC11

Apply ethics and values, and theories, principles ...

Learning Outcome 03

Apply ethics and values, and theories, principles and concepts informing social work across practice domains.
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC3, GC6, GC7, GC8, GC9, GC11

Critically reflect upon personal values, positiona...

Learning Outcome 04

Critically reflect upon personal values, positionality, and the use-of-self in social work, demonstrating awareness of identity, power and context.
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC3, GC6, GC7, GC8, GC9, GC11, GC12

Content

Topics will include:

  • The history and contemporary place of social work in Australia
  • The foundations and scope of practice of social work in Australia
  • Exploration of key theories of culture, Identity, and discrimination in social work, including:
  • Sociological theories (to address structural power and interpersonal dynamics)
  • Psychological theories (to understand individual in social context, and sense of self)
  • Critical frameworks (to challenge oppression and promote social justice in line with the AASW Code of Ethics and Practice Standards)
  • Exploring social work context, such as the triple mandate of social work: supporting people in need; exercising state control; and applying theory and social work principles.


Activities will focus on the application of theory to practice, which may include direct practice, community work, organisational and system reform, cross-cultural and anti-oppressive practice, decolonising activities, and education and capacity building. These are often found in cross-cutting or evolving areas in response to human and societal needs.

Assessment strategy and rationale

The unit supports students to commence developing a social work identity through their commitment to social work values, evidence-informed approaches, and professional practice. Accordingly, there are three assessment tasks designed to test the learning outcomes in the unit:

  • Assessment Task 1 is a visual representation and justification, to show understanding of the interrelationship between the purpose of social work, ethics and values, and theories, principles and concepts informing social work.
  • Assessment Task 2 is an essay in which students are required to articulate a comprehensive understanding of two social work theories, principals or concepts, and to apply these to a practice-based scenario.
  • Assessment Task 3 is a presentation in which students draw upon two social work theories, principals or concepts (not used for Assessment 2), and apply these to a practice-based scenario. An aspect of this assessment is for students to critically reflect on their positionality and the role of power, both which are important in developing their social work identity and for the use-of-self.


Students who pass the unit will have demonstrated sufficient ethical and theoretical knowledge, and reflective engagement, to be ready for their first placement. 

To pass this unit students must demonstrate achievement of each learning outcome and have obtained a total mark of 50% in the unit as the minimum standard.

Overview of assessments

Assessment 1: Concept Mapping and Written Justifi...

Assessment 1: Concept Mapping and Written Justification

Enables students to demonstrate foundational knowledge of the profession, including relationships between the purpose of social work, ethics and values, theories, principles and concepts.

Weighting

20%

Learning Outcomes LO1

Assessment 2: Essay Enables students to articul...

Assessment 2: Essay

Enables students to articulate their understanding of social work ethics and values, theories, principles and concepts, through applying these across practice domains in social work, and in the context of social work.

Weighting

40%

Learning Outcomes LO2, LO3

Assessment 3: Presentation and Reference list E...

Assessment 3: Presentation and Reference list

Enables students to articulate their understanding of social work ethics and values, theories, principles and concepts, through applying these across practice domains in social work, and in the context of social work, together with considerations of positionality and the role of power.

Weighting

40%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

Teaching and learning strategies for this unit will include online lectures and resources, and tutorials and discussion activities, using scenario-based approaches to facilitate understanding of theory, ethics and the context of social work. The learning strategies will contribute to preparing students for the first field placement by building knowledge of the social work practice context and practicing self-directed learning approaches expected of social work students.

ON CAMPUS:

Online resources will provide foundational content. Tutorials use case scenarios to foster students’ skills in integrating theory and practice, through peer learning. The unit promotes and supports students to apply ethical and theoretical frameworks supporting preparation for reflective, ethical, and culturally responsive professional practice.   

ACU ONLINE:

Students will access self-paced learning modules, readings, participate in discussion forums, and complete case-based exercised and assessments. Online forums and interactive spaces will encourage critical reflection and peer learning. This inclusive, flexible approach enables students to critically evaluate and apply a range of ethical and theoretical frameworks supporting preparation for reflective, ethical, and culturally responsive professional practice.

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, LO3, LO4

  • 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 outcomeLO3, LO4

  • Relating to

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

    management

    Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO4

  • Relating to

    Can articulate the ethics underpinning their approach to decisions and actions

    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 outcomeLO2, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

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

    peoples, and privilege their voices

    Relevant learning outcomeLO3, LO4

  • Relating to

    Adopt appropriate cultural and communication protocols

    Relevant learning outcomeLO3, LO4

  • 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

  • Relating to

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

    upheld

    Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

  • Relating to

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

    violence

    Relevant learning outcomeLO3, LO4

  • Relating to

    Promote public policy initiatives aimed at eliminating structural and systemic

    inequities experienced by people

    Relevant learning outcomeLO4

  • Relating to

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

    and diversity

    Relevant learning outcomeLO3, LO4

  • Relating to

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

    diversity

    Relevant learning outcomeLO3, LO4

  • 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 outcomeLO4

  • 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 outcomeLO3, LO4

  • Relating to

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

    strengths, goals and preferences of people

    Relevant learning outcomeLO3, 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 outcomeLO2, LO4

  • Relating to

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

    Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO3

  • Relating to

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

    assessment

    Relevant learning outcomeLO3, LO4

  • 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 outcomeLO3

  • Relating to

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

    profession

    Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO4

  • 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, LO3

  • Relating to

    Monitor, evaluate and review their skills, knowledge and expertise

    Relevant learning outcomeLO4

  • Relating to

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

    informing their practice

    Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Representative texts and references

Representative texts and references

Australian Association of Social Workers (2020) Code of ethics. AASW: North Melbourne.

Australian Association of Social Workers (2023) Practice standards. AASW: North Melbourne.

Banks, S. (2021). Ethics and values in social work (5th ed.). Palgrave.

Bennett, B., & Green, S. (Eds.) (2019). Our voices: Aboriginal social work (2nd Ed.). Red Globe Press.

Daly, M., McCulloch, T., & Smith, M. (2024). The Place of Knowledge in Constructing Social Work Identity: Validating Vagueness. The British Journal of Social Work, 54(3), 958-975. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcad212 

Dunk-West, P. (2018). How to be a social worker: A critical guide for students. Bloomsbury Publishing.

Fook, J. (2016). Social work: A critical approach to practice (3rd ed.). Sage.

Healy, K. (2022). Social work theories in context: Creating frameworks for practice (3rd ed.). Palgrave Macmillan.

Hugman, R., Pawar, M., Anscombe, B. & Wheeler, A. (2020). Virtue Ethics in Social Work Practice. Routledge.

Miehls, D., & Moffatt, K. (2000). Constructing social work identity based on the reflexive self. The British Journal of Social Work, 30(3), 339-348. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/30.3.339 

Musson, P. (2025). Making sense of theory and its application to social work practice. Routledge Press.

Payne, M. (2021). Modern social work theory (5th ed.). Palgrave Macmillan.

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