Unit rationale, description and aim
Social work is a distinct discipline grounded in a commitment to social justice, human rights, and professional ethics. This unit is the second of two professional practice placement units in the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) and provides students with supervised field practicum to integrate theoretical knowledge with practice in diverse settings. Informed by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) Practice Standards and Code of Ethics, the unit supports the development of core professional capabilities, including critical reflection, ethical decision-making, and professional identity formation.
The aim of this unit is that students develop competency for a level of competence for safe and effective practice as required by the Australian Social Work Education Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS). Students will be prepared to undertake social work practice at a new graduate level as stated in the Australian Social Work Education & Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS 2024).
ATTENDANCE:
Field Practicum 2 comprises of a 500-hour practice placement inclusive of integration seminars.
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.
Demonstrate understanding of field practicum proce...
Learning Outcome 01
Apply knowledge and skills in the field practicum ...
Learning Outcome 02
Demonstrate professional and ethical behaviour app...
Learning Outcome 03
Critically evaluate own performance through self-a...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Content for this unit is designed to support students in achieving the unit's learning outcomes through interactive discussions and experience-based learning through supervised field practicum. Themes and activities are structured to enable students to develop competency in accordance with the AASW Practice Standards.
Key areas include:
- Understanding of field practicum processes and placement requirements
- Integration of social work theory and academic knowledge into practice settings
- Application of social work values and ethical decision-making in professional contexts
- Understanding and development of culturally responsive practice
- Reflective practice and self-assessment in relation to supervision and feedback
- Professional identity formation
- Demonstrating and reflecting on professional behaviour.
Assessment strategy and rationale
Students are assessed on a range of activities which reflect developmental and experiential learning principles. Prior to placement a preplacement quiz (hurdle task) promotes the student’s understanding of the process and expectations of placement and a mark of 100% must be achieved before commencing placement.
The Learning Agreement (hurdle task) is developed in collaboration with the Social Work supervisor (assigned onsite or external supervisor). It sets out the specific goals and activities associated with the placement and the evidence required to demonstrate achievement of learning outcomes.
The Mid Placement report and presentation (hurdle task) enables students to demonstrate their progress toward their learning goals at mid-point, which is presented to the Liaison Visitor, and includes feedback from the student’s Supervisor and 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. These 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 order to pass this unit, students must demonstrate achievement of every unit learning outcome, submit and pass all assessment tasks, pass hurdle tasks, attend integration seminars and complete 500 hours of placement, as evidenced by a signed timesheet.
Overview of assessments
Students must achieve 100% for the pre placement quiz (hurdle task) and have unlimited attempts to complete this task.
The assessments of learning prior to placement at the beginning, middle and end are designed to identify areas of competence, as well as strategies for students to address areas in need of development prior to the next assessment point.
The timesheet must be submitted after the completion of 500 hours of placement. Completion of less than 500 hours of placement will result in a fail.
In order to pass this unit, students are required to pass the preplacement quiz (hurdle task) and submit all assessment pieces to a pass standard, complete all 500 hours of placement and attend integration seminars as per the attendance requirements.
Hurdle Task preplacement quiz - Reinforces the i...
Hurdle Task preplacement quiz - Reinforces the information about placement processes and what to expect during placement.
Hurdle Task
Learning Agreement - Detailed statement of the l...
Learning Agreement - Detailed statement of the learning activities and strategies for the student placement.
Hurdle Task
Mid Placement report and Presentation - Enables ...
Mid Placement report and Presentation - Enables students to demonstrate their progress against the goals set out in their Learning Agreement.
Hurdle Task
Final Placement Report - Final report of student...
Final Placement Report - Final report of student learning achieved on placement and identification of areas for post-graduate professional development.
Pass/Fail
Signed Timesheet - Students are required to main...
Signed 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
In negotiation with the Social Work Supervisor, Liaison Visitor and Field Educator students will be able to revise the Learning Agreement and Mid Placement Report in response to feedback to achieve required standards.
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
For this professional experience unit, learning happens in three asynchronous, online preplacement sessions, and the 500-hour practice placement inclusive of the integration seminars. 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 Integration seminars. Planned learning goals and strategies for the specific placement are recorded in the Learning Agreement.
Punctual and full attendance on the placement is an essential requirement for this unit. It is mandatory to attend all Integration seminars scheduled for this unit, and an attendance record of all seminars will be kept. In integration seminars, students will be interacting with each other and developing skills which will be used in professional/clinical practice. 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, 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
Relating to
Recognise and take responsibility for what is within their power, control or
management
Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO3
Relating to
Can articulate the ethics underpinning their approach to decisions and actions
Relevant learning outcomeLO2, LO3
Relating to
Are willing and able to seek advice from supervisors or senior colleagues on ethical
issues
Relevant learning outcomeLO3
Relating to
Practice in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to support
their priorities and aspirations
Relevant learning outcomeLO2, LO4
Relating to
Are aware of the diversity among, and differences between, Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander cultures throughout Australia
Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO2
Relating to
Respect the knowledge and lived experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples, and privilege their voices
Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO2, LO3
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 outcomeLO2, LO3
Relating to
Adopt appropriate cultural and communication protocols
Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO2, LO3
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, LO3
Relating to
Ensure that the rights of the people they work with are promoted, protected, and
upheld
Relevant learning outcomeLO2, LO3
Relating to
Support action to enable people to live a life free of abuse, neglect, exploitation and
violence
Relevant learning outcomeLO2, LO3
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, LO3
Relating to
Apply an intersectional lens in their approach to complexities around culture and
diversity
Relevant learning outcomeLO2, LO3
Relating to
Respectfully engage with people who have culturally diverse identities
Relevant learning outcomeLO2, LO3
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, LO4
Relating to
Practise within a professional knowledge framework informed by a critical
understanding of contemporary social work theory and research
Relevant learning outcomeLO2, LO3
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 outcomeLO2, LO4
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 outcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Make professional decisions on the basis of a holistic assessment of the needs,
strengths, goals and preferences of people
Relevant learning outcomeLO2, LO3
Relating to
Recognise, and use responsibly, the power and authority they have when exercising
professional judgement affecting people
Relevant learning outcomeLO2, LO3
Relating to
Critically assess the quality and veracity of all relevant information to support their
decisions
Relevant learning outcomeLO2
Relating to
Make decisions aimed primarily at achieving the best possible outcomes for people
Relevant learning outcomeLO2, LO3
Relating to
Assess the nature and level of risk to people and incorporate that into the overall
assessment
Relevant learning outcomeLO2
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 outcomeLO2
Relating to
Actively contribute to strengthening and promoting the identity and standing of the
profession
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 outcomeLO2
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 outcomeLO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Actively participate in professional supervision to build and strengthen their practice
Relevant learning outcomeLO3, LO4
Relating to
Undertake formal supervision, relevant to their area of practice, by an appropriately
trained, senior social work qualified supervisor
Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Maintain a record of supervision for the duration of the supervisory relationship
Relevant learning outcomeLO2
Relating to
Use supervision to examine and critically reflect upon their personal and professional
values and the implications for practice
Relevant learning outcomeLO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Use supervision to demonstrate integration of professional knowledge and theoretical
approaches to practice
Relevant learning outcomeLO2, LO3, LO4
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 outcomeLO1, LO2, LO4
Relating to
Be active learners, open to new and emerging knowledge, research and evidence
informing their practice
Relevant learning outcomeLO1, LO2, LO4