Year
2022Credit points
10Campus offering
No unit offerings are currently available for this unitPrerequisites
SWTP310 Social Work Field Education 1
Teaching organisation
Students will participate in the equivalent of 36 hours class contact in a semester/study period.Unit rationale, description and aim
This unit will develop students understanding of the organisational contexts in which their professional practice will take place. Drawing upon the broad body of organisational theory and ethics the unit will explore organisational cultures as well as the structures of governance. The nature, processes and impact of organisational change on service delivery and management will be critically analysed. The role of social workers in a range of organisations will be explored with students developing skills in areas such as organisational analysis. Emphasis will also be given to the role of information technology in structuring contemporary social service work. Students will be encouraged to draw on their experiences of working in organisations, in particular the agencies in which they have undertaken their field placement.
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.
On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:
LO1 - Select and apply relevant organisational and sociological theories of organisations in an organisational analysis (GA5, GA8)
LO2 - Critically reflect on the role of human service organisations in society (GA1, GA2, GA4)
LO3 - Analyse the organisational construction of social work practice, including the central role of information technologies in structuring the content and meaning of ‘social’ work (GA5, GA10)
LO4 - Critically analyse current debates and challenges to professionals in the contemporary organisational world (GA5);
LO5 - Evaluate the impact of different organisational practices and structures on practitioners and communities from diverse backgrounds (GA4, GA5, GA 8)
LO6 - Critically reflect on the role of ethics in organisational management and practice (GA2, GA4)
Graduate attributes
GA1 - demonstrate respect for the dignity of each individual and for human diversity
GA2 - recognise their responsibility to the common good, the environment and society
GA4 - think critically and reflectively
GA5 - demonstrate values, knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate to the discipline and/or profession
GA8 - locate, organise, analyse, synthesise and evaluate information
GA10 - utilise information and communication and other relevant technologies effectively.
AASW Practice Standards 2013
The following table sets out the broad relationship between the Learning Outcomes, Graduate Attributes and the AASW Practice Standards –
| Standard/Attributes/Criteria | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
2.2 Behaves in a professional manner and be accountable for all actions and decisions b) Provides opportunities and encourages people to evaluate social work services and ensure people are aware of organizational and professional complaints mechanisms 4.1 Understand higher level systemic influences on people with respect to area of practice d) Demonstrates understanding and awareness of policy, including organizational policy, relevant to practice context and how this impacts on people. | 1 |
4.3 Understand the role of research and evaluation in obtaining and generating new knowledge for practice e) Distinguishes and evaluates various sources of knowledge including practice evidence, practice experience, research evidence, organizational and policy knowledge and legal and ethical knowledge to help inform practice and decision making | 2 |
4.1 Understand higher level systemic influences on people with respect to area of practice 6.4 Use information technology to communicate and provide services as appropriate a) Demonstrates skill in the use of information technology relevant to the practice area 7.2 Keep and maintain information in accordance with ethical principles and relevant legislation | 3 |
4.1 Understand higher level systemic influences on people with respect to area of practice g) Critically analyse policies, systems and structures that contravene social work values and do not prioritise the interests of people, groups, communities and wider society and works for change 5.4 Apply critical and reflective thinking to practice d) Critically reflects on the broader organizational, societal and political context of practice | 4 |
4.1 Understand higher level systemic influences on people with respect to area of practice d. Demonstrates understanding and awareness of policy, including organisational policy, relevant to practice context and how this impacts on people. | 5 |
7.2 Keep and maintain information in accordance with ethical principles and relevant legislation | 6 |
Content
Introduction to organisational practice
- Understanding organisations – defining them and their functions
- Organisational construction of social work practice
Organisational cultures
- Organisational structures
- What is organisational culture?
- How we define organisational culture?
- How does it influence social work practices?
- Leadership/management styles
- Teams and team building
Organisational change
Moving through change - Change and resistance in organisations
- Organisational change models
- Social workers as “change managers‟ and facilitators of change
- Responding to client/service user and community need
Planning and strategic development
- Strategic planning
- Goal setting
Information management and human relations
- How IT has impacted upon human service organisations
- HR issues
The role of the social worker in human service organisations
- Challenges to workers
- Organisational analysis against principles of efficiency, effectiveness, evaluation, excellence
Maintaining professional identity
Working collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
Duration: Students will participate in the equivalent of 36 hours class contact in a semester/study period.
Mode: Students will participate in the equivalent of 36 hours class contact in a semester/study period.
Assessment strategy and rationale
A range of assessment procedures will be used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes consistent with University assessment requirements
Overview of assessments
| Brief Description of Kind and Purpose of Assessment Tasks | Weighting | Learning Outcomes | Graduate Attributes |
|---|---|---|---|
Quiz | 20% | 1, 2 | GA 1, GA2, GA4, GA5, GA8 |
Organisational Analysis | 40% | 1, 2, 3, 5 | GA 1, GA2, GA4, GA5, GA8, GA10 |
Case study | 40% | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 | GA 1, GA2, GA4, GA5, GA8, GA10 |
Representative texts and references
Gray, I., Field, R. & Brown, K. (2010). Effective Leadership, Management and Supervision in Health and Social Care. Exeter: Learning Matters.
Gursansky, D., Kennedy, R. & Camilleri, P. (2012). The Practice of Case Management. Sydney: Allen& Unwin.
Hattford-Letchfield, T. (2010). Management and Organisations in Social Work. Second Edition. Exeter: Learning Matters.
Hughes, M. & Wearing, M. (2013). Organisations and management in social work. Second Edition. London: Sage
Lambley, S. (2010). Proactive Management in Social Work Practice. Exeter: Learning Matters.
Lipsky, M. (2010). Street-Level Bureaucracy; Dilemmas of the Individual in Public Services, New York: Russell Sage Foundation.
McDonald,C., Craik,C.,Hawkins, L. & Williams, J. (2011). Professional Practice in Human Service Organisations, Sydney: Allen & Unwin.
Ozanne, E. & Rose, D. (2013). The Organisational Context of Human Service Practice. Melbourne: Palgrave Macmillan.
Thompson, N. (2013). People Management. London: Palgrave Macmillan.
Weinberg, R & Taylor, L. (2010). Social Worker as Manager. Sixth Edition. New York: Pearson Higher Education.