Unit rationale, description and aim
Social workers are required to engage in policy to achieve the social justice aims of the profession. Policy practice requires an understanding of how policies are made, implemented, evaluated and changed, and how they impact people at the level of service delivery. In this unit, students will be introduced to models of policy making and relevant theoretical literature on the nature of policy processes within state and community sectors. Drawing on social work theories, students will be required to critically examine contemporary social policy issues in the Australian context and identify opportunities for influencing policy change. The overall aim of the unit is to equip students with the knowledge and skills required for critical social work policy practice to effect social justice change at the policy level.
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.
Critically examine the relationships between socia...
Learning Outcome 01
Demonstrate understanding of policy making process...
Learning Outcome 02
Apply social work values, knowledge and skills in ...
Learning Outcome 03
Apply critical analysis and ethical decision makin...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics will include:
- The role of government and the politics of policy
- Social policy making models and processes
- Contemporary social policy issues impacting social disadvantage
- The role of social work
- Critical analytical skills for developing, implementing and evaluating policy
- Ethical social work practice in the policy context
Areas of social policy include, but are not limited to:
- Family violence
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- Culturally and Linguistically Diverse populations
- Health and Disability
- Education and employment
Skills
- Research
- Critical analysis
- Policy writing skills
- Policy advocacy
Values and Ethics
- Social work values and Ethics
Theoretical frameworks
- Structural and post-structural (including feminist, human rights, critical theory and decolonising perspectives)
Assessment strategy and rationale
Assessment Task 1 enables students to demonstrate awareness and knowledge of policy and social work practice contexts.
Assessment Tasks 2 and 3 are authentic tasks designed to assess students' skills in policy analysis and development. Specifically:
- Assessment Task 2 requires students to examine a policy problem and argue the case for why this is an important issue requiring policy reform.
- Assessment Task 3 builds on Assessment Task 2 in enabling skills in preparing a substantial evidence-based work in the form of a policy proposal.
Evidence of competency and skill within these assessment tasks sets students on a path towards demonstrating sound understanding of and commitment to social work values and ethical practice.
To pass the unit, students must demonstrate that they have achieved each learning outcome and obtained a total mark of 50% in the unit as the minimum standard.
Overview of assessments
Assessment Task 1 - Online Quiz Students demonst...
Assessment Task 1 - Online Quiz
Students demonstrate awareness and knowledge of policy and social work practice contexts.
20%
Assessment Task 2 - Policy Analysis Students ide...
Assessment Task 2 - Policy Analysis
Students identify a social policy issue and explore and argue the case for policy reform with reference to the lives of the people impacted by the policy.
30%
Assessment Task 3 - Policy Proposal This assignm...
Assessment Task 3 - Policy Proposal
This assignment requires students to develop a proposal in response to a current policy issue. This includes analysing the policy context and agenda, proposing a policy response and making recommendations for policy implementation and evaluation.
50%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
ON CAMPUS:
This unit involves 150 hours of a combination of lectures, online learning materials, tutorials and self-directed learning. Learning activities include reading, individual research, small group and class discussions. On-campus classes are designed to draw out understandings developed from learning materials to establish deeper and applied conceptual knowledge relevant to policy practice.
ONLINE:
This unit involves 150 hours of a combination of online learning materials, discussion boards, weekly interactive online exercises, online collaboration opportunities, reading, individual research and self-directed learning. Students will discuss their understanding of learning materials in an online environment to establish deeper and applied conceptual knowledge relevant to policy practice.
Both modes draw on social work perspectives of human rights and social justice to critically analyse , contemporary social issues and identify opportunities for critical social work policy practice. Knowledge gained in this unit will prepare students for policy-practice in a variety of social work practice and policy settings to effect social justice change.
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 outcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Recognise and take responsibility for what is within their power, control or
management
Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Can articulate the ethics underpinning their approach to decisions and actions
Relevant learning outcomeLO3, LO4
Relating to
Are aware of the diversity among, and differences between, Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander cultures throughout Australia
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 outcomeLO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Promote public policy initiatives aimed at eliminating structural and systemic
inequities experienced by people
Relevant learning outcomeLO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Apply an intersectional lens in their approach to complexities around culture and
diversity
Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, 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 outcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Work from a clearly articulated framework for reflective practice
Relevant learning outcomeLO1
Relating to
Make decisions aimed primarily at achieving the best possible outcomes for people
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 outcomeLO3