Course Outline. Code: SWK700 Title: Master of Social Work Field Education 1

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1 Course Outline Code: SWK700 Title: Master of Social Work Field Education 1 Faculty of Arts and Business School of Social Sciences Teaching Session: Semester 2 Year: 2015 Course Coordinator: Gerard Jefferies Room: D1.01 Phone: (07) gjefferi@usc.edu.au 1. What is this course about? 1.1 Course description Master of Social Work Field Education 1 provides the first opportunity to apply classroom based learning to a social work practice context. It allows social work values, theories, knowledge and skills to be integrated into practice in a supervised environment. Social work practice is emphasised in an agency, demanding you actively engage in what it means to work in an organisational context enabling social work methods to be experienced, knowledge and theories applied, and skills developed. Critical reflection on your own practice and the impact of organisational contexts will be emphasised. 1.2 Course content social work methods, knowledge and skills social work assessment, intervention and evaluation in individual, group or community situations organisational and agency contextual analysis understanding of self within the agency becoming a Student Practitioner within the agency reflective practice ethical practice accountability understanding practice frameworks of the agency collaborative and inclusive approaches to working in multi-disciplinary teams report writing and documenting 2. Unit value 36 units

2 Page 2 3. How does this course contribute to my learning? Specific Learning Outcomes Assessment Tasks Graduate Qualities On successful completion of this course you should be able to: You will be assessed on the learning outcome in task/s: Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming: Articulate and apply social work theory, skills and values in a practice situation. Begin to identify inappropriate or inequitable social policy goals and outcomes, and to consider policy alternatives for achieving equity and effective distribution of social resources. Begin to analyse organisational systems and processes and societal systems, to identify inequalities. Critically reflect on your own practice and values. Where appropriate apply research knowledge and skills to undertake ethical research and to disseminate findings. Utilise research in practice to address the needs of individuals, groups and communities, and to further organisational goals and social policy. Engage with individuals, groups and communities in society and apply social work knowledge and skills to enable them to develop their potential and to gain greater control over their lives. Show respect for and value others with an understanding of and sensitivity towards issues of cultural diversity, gender and disability. Communicate respectfully with clients, colleagues and community members. Use written communication and appropriate technology for completing reports and other documentation as required. 1, 2 and 4 Creative and critical thinkers. Ethical. 1, 2 and 4 Creative and critical thinkers. Knowledgeable. 1 and 2 Knowledgeable. Engaged. 1 Creative and critical thinkers. Engaged. 1, 2, 3 and 4 Ethical. Knowledgeable. 1 Engaged. Sustainability-focussed. 1 Empowered. Creative and critical thinkers. 1, 2, 3 and 4 Empowered. Ethical. 1, 2, 3 and 4 Knowledgeable. Ethical. 1, 3 and 4 Creative and critical thinkers. Knowledgeable.

3 Page 3 Use initiative in learning and practice during the fieldwork placement. Use all opportunities offered on placement to gain experience working in a human service organisation and develop knowledge of the sector. Apply the values and ethical principles of social work according to the AASW Code of Ethics (2010). Act in a professional manner and show self-respect. 1 and 3 Knowledgeable. Creative and critical thinkers. 1 and 3 Knowledgeable. Creative and critical thinkers. 1, 2, 3 and 4 Ethical. Creative and critical thinkers. 1 Empowered. Knowledgeable. 4. Am I eligible to enrol in this course? Refer to the Coursework Programs and Awards - Academic Policy for definitions of pre-requisites, corequisites and anti-requisites 4.1 Enrolment restrictions Must be enrolled in AR707. Permission required for enrolment please contact your Faculty Office. 4.2 Pre-requisites Any 3 courses from (SCS225 or SCS725) or (SCS230 or SCS730) or (SCS290 or SCS790) or (SWK302 or SWK702) or (SCS266 or SWK766) or (SCS277 or SWK777) 4.3 Co-requisites Nil 4.4 Anti-requisites Nil 4.5 Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills You will have an understanding of your critical practice framework 5. How am I going to be assessed? 5.1 Grading scale Limited Pass (PU), Fail (UF)

4 Page Assessment tasks Task No. Assessment Tasks Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it? Work Integrated Learning (WIL) activity/ Professional Competency Task 1a 1b Field Education Placement Performance - Completion of 500 hours of placement Field Education Placement Performance - Professional Performance 2a Active participation in workshop program 2 days Intensive 2b Active participation in workshop program - Integration seminars 3 Learning plan and its evaluation Individual Pass/Fail N/A Placement dates to be negotiated Individual Pass/Fail Mid / Final Placement assessment report. Set template involving 5 10 pages Assessed throughout duration of placement (Mid and Final Placement Assessment Report) Individual Pass/Fail N/A Prior to commencement of placement (date to be advised) Individual Pass/Fail N/A Notification of days and times on Blackboard Individual Pass/Fail Set template involving 5-10 pages First draft due by the end of Week 3, final evaluation due end of last week of placement 4 Essay Individual Pass/Fail 2000 words Two weeks prior to the end of placement N/A N/A Attendance and participation at on-campus Intensive workshop Attendance and participation at on-campus seminars Draft ed to Liaison Officer prior to first visit; final evaluation submitted via FAB Assignment Box SafeAssign Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

5 Page 5 Note: This is a Limited Grade Course, which is assessed on a Pass / Fail basis. In order to achieve a pass grade for this course, you must pass all 4 learning/assessment tasks. You are therefore required to attend the 2 day pre-placement intensive* and integration seminars*, complete your Learning Agreement, Essay, Verification of Hours and Assessment of Student Performance. See Field Education Assessment Report below for further details of the required report and procedures. *Alternative arrangements will be made for students with extenuating circumstances who cannot complete the intensive or integration seminars to enable them the opportunity to complete these components of the course. Appropriate supporting documentation must be provided as evidence of extenuating circumstances to the Field Education Coordinator. Assessment Task 1a: Field Education Placement Performance - Completion of 500 hours placement Goal: To undertake 500 hours of Professional Practice in the Social Work field Product: Part A. Completion of 500 hours placement Format: You are required to complete 500 hours of fieldwork placement. Your attendance will be recorded on the Hours Verification Sheet and approved by the Field Educator / Task Supervisor. Criteria Successful completion of 500 hours of fieldwork placement Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Communication Organisation Introductory Assessment Task 1b: Field Education Placement Performance - Professional Performance Goal: To undertake professional practice in accordance with AASW practice standards (2013) and AASW Code of Ethics (2010) Product: Part B. Professional Performance Format: During your field education placement, you are required to demonstrate a number of competencies. The competencies required are based on the *AASW Practice Standards(2013) and the *AASW Code of Ethics (2010) and include learning objectives that relate to the following areas of professional practice: Value and Ethics Professionalism Cultural responsive and inclusive practice Knowledge for practice Applying knowledge to practice Communication and interpersonal skills Information recording and sharing Professional development and supervision Details relating to the learning objectives are further articulated in the assessment criteria below and additional details are provided in the Field Education Assessment Report. * Australian Association of Social Workers (2013) Practice Standards, ACT, AASW * Australian Association of Social Workers (2010), Code of Ethics, ACT, AASW

6 Page 6 Criteria Field Education Assessment Report: Your Field Educator / Task Supervisor will provide a report detailing your performance throughout the placement. The format of the report is in your Field Education Manual and a copy of the template will be available on Social Work Connect/Field Ed site on Blackboard. Your Field Educator / Task Supervisor will also receive a copy of this manual. You are required to discuss this report as part of a mid-placement review with your Field Educator / Task Supervisor. This report is to be submitted to the University after the mid-placement review and end of placement review. The report will provide a recommendation regarding your performance, with the final result being the responsibility of the Course Coordinator. Gaining success as indicated in the Field Education Assessment Report which addresses your values, ethics, skills and knowledge in relation to the following practice areas: Value and Ethics Professionalism Cultural responsive and inclusive practice Knowledge for practice Applying knowledge to practice Communication and interpersonal skills Information recording and sharing Professional development and supervision These learning outcomes are further articulated in the Field Education Assessment Report, and will be tailored to your specific field education placement. You will be assessed as relevant to your own particular agency, on your understanding and application of the above learning outcomes. More detailed assessment criteria are in the Field Education Assessment Report outlined in the Field Education Manual. Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Collaboration Communication Assessment Task 2a: Active Participation in Workshop Program 2 day intensive Goal: This workshop will prepare you for working in a social work agency. Structured to link the theories that inform practice with the skills required for social work practice, the workshop will provide you with the opportunity to develop and consolidate your skills for working with groups and individuals as well as providing you with an introduction to organisational context analysis. Product: Active participation in the two day intensive workshop program. Format: Alternative arrangements will be made for students with extenuating circumstances who cannot complete the intensive to enable them the opportunity to complete this component of the course. Appropriate supporting documentation must be provided as evidence of extenuating circumstances to the Field Education Coordinator. Criteria Attendance as per requirement of AASW Accreditation and Education Standards Demonstrated and active engagement in seminar activities developing a critically reflective approach to your practice. Generic skill assessed Communication Skill assessment level

7 Page 7 Assessment Task 2b: Active Participation in Workshop Program - Integration Seminars Goal: Product: Format: To integrate critical theory and skills with professional social work practice Integrative seminar Integration Seminar 1 will be held in the same week as the intensive workshop where the assessment criteria for placement will be discussed and workshopped. The next two seminars in Weeks 6 and 12, provide you with opportunities to connect with other students on placement and discuss your practice experiences, concerns and issues in a learning environment. In these seminars you will be required to actively participate, share appropriate information and carry out other tasks as designated in the seminars. Alternative arrangements will be made for students with extenuating circumstances who cannot complete the integration seminars to enable them the opportunity to complete this components of the course. Appropriate supporting documentation must be provided as evidence of extenuating circumstances to the field education coordinator. Criteria Attendance as per requirement of AASW Accreditation and Education Standards Demonstrated ability to discuss the development of your own learning agreement for your placement. Demonstrated and active engagement in seminar activities developing a critically reflective approach to your practice. Sharing the major focus of your placement with students and staff, including sharing learning outcomes You will be assigned a University Liaison Officer from the University who will provide you with specific support throughout your placement, including undertaking one liaison visit. The Field Education Manual outlines the process for dealing with difficulties on placement and these must be adhered to in order to avoid failure in this course. Remember, this course is designed to assess your ability to work as a professional in your chosen field, and your conduct as outlined in these procedures is an integral part of this assessment. If you have any problems with the teaching or assessment of this course, raise these problems with the Course Coordinator. Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Communication Collaboration Assessment Task 3: Learning Plan and its evaluation Goal: Product: Format: To develop and evaluate your professional learning goals based on the AASW Practice Standards (2013) Learning Plan and its evaluation The purpose of the learning agreement is to plan and guide students learning mapped against the AASW standards for practice. The learning agreement clearly outlines the students goals, tasks, and methods for achieving outcomes across assessment areas and therefore provides a platform for negotiating if problems arise in relation to the students progress or achievement. The Learning Agreement is an important document in that it formalises the relationship and understanding between the student, the field educator / task supervisor and the University. It is a tool used extensively in supervision to monitor student progress.

8 Page 8 The learning agreement is developed in three stages. Stage one: The initial draft to be forwarded to your USC Liaison Officer at end of Week 3 for formative feedback. Stage two: The agreement is finalized after the liaison visit with the field educator / task supervisor and the student in approximately Week 6. Stage three: The completed learning agreement that includes the learning outcomes is submitted to the Liaison Officer with the Field Education Assessment Report and the Hours Verification Report at the end of the last week of placement. Details of the learning agreement, including the required format, are provided to you separately in your Field Education Manual and as a template on the Field Education Blackboard site. You are expected to consult with your Field Educator/Task Supervisor in the agency in the development of this plan and also with the University Field Education staff should you need further assistance. Criteria Demonstrated linkage between appropriate social work theory and knowledge with your tasks while on placement. Articulation of specific learning objectives including social work theory, theory for practice, skills development and organisational/agency analysis. Demonstration of a collaborative approach with your Field Educator/Task Supervisor regarding the development of the learning agreement. Articulation of evidence required to demonstrate achievements. Clearly demonstrated achievements. Clear explanation where a goal was not able to be achieved. Generic skill assessed Information literacy Organisation Skill assessment level Assessment Task 4: Essay Goal: Product: Format: To critically reflect on your professional and ethical social work practice Essay You will be required to write a 2000 word academic essay that positions yourself as a social worker within the agency and provides a discussion on how you have integrated your theoretical understandings into your practice framework. In order to assist with this task you will be required to keep a diary for each day of placement. In your diary you will record and reflect upon your experiences in the field, including your interactions with staff and clients, the issues and situations you encounter and how your theoretical frameworks informs your practice. This daily/weekly diary will inform your final piece of assessment. You will draw upon relevant theories to make sense of your practice experiences and use at least 3 references. The areas that should be covered include: your observations on the nature of the organisation s work including aims of the agency; the client or consumer services provided by the agency; staffing profile and the work area you were placed in; your tasks; significant learning experiences in relation to your knowledge, skills and values;

9 Page 9 how social work theory informed your understanding of practice; and identify your future learning goals To orient yourself to the self-reflective process, you will need to refer to previous courses in which such essays have been expected, and also to read relevant material provided in your Field Education Course Reader. Criteria This task will be assessed according to your level of achievement in the following: Demonstrate an understanding of the organisational context of practice and the application and reflection of social work theory and frameworks within the context of your work in the agency. Provide evidence of how your skills and knowledge developed during the fieldwork placement. Provide relevant, detailed and critical content. Clearly presented essay, which will be organised and logically ordered. Reference and document evidence through correct use of citations, quotations and reference list. (Refer to Harvard referencing guide on Blackboard) Use of correct grammar, punctuation, spelling and clear quality of expression. Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Information literacy Communication 5.3 Additional assessment requirements To be eligible for a pass grade, you must achieve a satisfactory result in the Field Educator/Task Supervisor s Report, which is a report to the University regarding your performance in the agency. The Field Educator/Task Supervisor provides a recommendation to the Course Coordinator, who then assesses your performance on a pass or fail basis. A pass grade for this item must be achieved in order to be eligible for a pass grade in the course. If you experience problems within your placement, you should first raise them with your Field Educator/Task Supervisor if possible. If that is not possible or fails for some reason, the next step is to raise your concerns with your University Liaison Officer, who will discuss the issue with the Field Education Course Coordinator. If you do not follow correct procedure as outlined here in relation to problems on placement you risk failing the course. Further details regarding problems on placement are in your Field Education Manual, and these must be adhered to in order to avoid failure in this course. STAYING IN TOUCH DURING YOUR FIELD EDUCATION EXPERIENCE Field Education can be a challenging time for students, with little opportunity to talk regularly with other placement students or to stay in touch with University staff. This semester we will provide additional opportunities for you to stay in touch with other students and staff. We will be using Blackboard for announcements, contact, discussions re your experiences and readings. You will need to access Blackboard weekly to ensure you have the latest information. It is accessed via this link: Your Blackboard site is called Social Work Connect. Announcements will be placed on Blackboard, and will facilitate discussion. You will also have the opportunity to chat with other students as well. Please use this worthwhile opportunity. REFERENCING You must reference your sources of information and include a list of references. Neglecting to reference your sources of information constitutes plagiarism, which is a form of stealing. Students who do not reference properly may be failed. In this course it is not appropriate to cite lecturers. They do not

10 Page 10 constitute publicly available, checkable information. If you wish to refer to lecture material, locate similar material in written form. If you have problems finding appropriate material, consult the librarian or the lecturer for the location of source material. You are required to use the HARVARD SYSTEM OF REFERENCING for this course. You should also consult this guide when preparing, writing and editing your work. Please note that page numbers must be provided for all in-text citations, regardless of whether they refer to a direct quote, a paraphrase, or an idea. For example, if referencing an idea that appears on page 14 of Communicating in the 21st Century your in-text reference would appear as follows: (Eunson 2005:14). SafeAssign In order to minimise incidents of plagiarism and collusion, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks are submitted electronically via SafeAssign. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work that SafeAssign has access to. If required, details of how to submit via SafeAssign will be provided on the Blackboard site of the course. Limited Graded Course This course will be graded as Pass in a Limited Grade Course (PU) or Fail in a Limited Grade Course (UF) as per clause and of the Grades and Grade Point Average (GPA) - Institutional Operating Policy of the University of the Sunshine Coast. In a course using Limited Grades, all assessment tasks relating to a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) activity or a professional competency (PC) task are required to be passed for a student to successfully complete the course. Supplementary assessment is not available in courses using Limited Grades. 5.4 Submission penalties You must contact your Course Coordinator if you require an extension or alternate assessment. 6. How is the course offered? 6.1 Directed study hours 1 day as an intensive workshop plus 1 full day integration seminar in Pre- O week, and 2 x 3hour integration seminars in Weeks 6 and 12. Dates to be advised on Blackboard. You must complete 500 hours of fieldwork in a social work agency. Note: the first seminar to be held in the week prior to O week at the start of semester and the beginning of placement. 6.2 Teaching semester/session(s) offered Semester 1 Semester 2

11 Page Course activities Teaching What key concepts/content will I Week / learn? Module What activities will I engage in to learn the concepts/content? Directed Study Independent Study Activities Activities Week before O Week Intensive workshop Integration Seminar 1 Introduction to Placement Integration Seminar 2 Mid-Semester Review of Placement Integration Seminar 3 Completion of placements and end of placement Review Completion of 500 placement hours Please note that the course activities may be subject to variation. Introductory workshop, including activities designed to assist the development of your learning agreement First draft due by the end of Week 3 (final evaluation due end of last week of placement). Workshop, including discussion of placement experiences and critical reflection activities Final workshop, including discussion of placement essay and review of your placement Development of Learning Agreement and mid and final placement reviews Read Chapters 1 to 5, Cleak & Wilson Between week 1 and 6 read Chapters 6 to 9, Cleak & Wilson Read Chapter 18, Cleak & Wilson 7. What resources do I need to undertake this course? 7.1 Prescribed text(s) Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below: Author Year Title Publisher Cleak, H & Wilson, J 2013, 3 rd edn Making the Most of Field Placement O Connor, I, Wilson, J, 2008 Social Work and Human Setterlund, D & Hughes, M Services Practice Thomson, Southbank. Pearson Education, Frenchs Forest 7.2 Required and recommended readings Lists of required and recommended readings may be found for this course on its Blackboard site. These materials/readings will assist you in preparing for tutorials and assignments, and will provide further information regarding particular aspects of your course.

12 Page Specific requirements Please note that some placements require criminal history checks and Hep B vaccinations. It is important to discuss this with the field education coordinator at the pre-placement interviews. 7.4 Risk management There is minimal health and safety risk in this course. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the Health and Safety policies and procedures applicable within campus areas. 8. How can I obtain help with my studies? In the first instance you should contact your tutor, then the Course Coordinator. Student Life and Learning provides additional assistance to all students through Peer Advisors and Academic Skills Advisors. You can drop in or book an appointment. To book: Tel: or StudentLifeandLearning@usc.edu.au 9. Links to relevant University policies and procedures For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including: Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs Review of Assessment and Final Grades Supplementary Assessment Administration of Central Examinations Deferred Examinations Student Academic Misconduct Students with a Disability Faculty specific information Locating Journal Articles If you have been notified that the journal articles in this course are available on e-reserve, use the on-line library catalogue to find them. For journal articles not on e-reserve, click on the "Journals and Newspapers" link on the Library Homepage. Enter the journal title e.g. History Australia, then search for the volume and issue or keyword as needed. Assignment Cover Sheets The Faculty of Arts and Business assignment cover sheet can be found on Blackboard or on the USC Portal at: Faculty of Arts and Business (Students) > Forms. It must be completed in full identifying student name, assignment topic, tutor and tutorial time. This must be attached securely to the front of each assessment item prior to submission. Claims of loss of assignments will not be considered unless supported by a receipt. Help: If you are experiencing problems with your studies or academic work, consult your tutor in the first instance or the Course Coordinator as quickly as possible. Timely assistance can prevent a problem turning into a major issue. Difficulties: If you are experiencing difficulties relating to teaching and assessment you should approach your tutor in the first instance. If not satisfied after that you should approach in order your Course Coordinator, Program Coordinator then Head of School.

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