Overview
This unit will introduce you to social work and human services in Australia and the changing context for professional practice within contemporary society. You will develop an understanding of the historical and cultural context of social work, and human services more broadly, within the Australian welfare state and how these services are currently organised and delivered. You will be able to conceptualise social justice, inequality and disadvantage and their significance to professional practice. You will understand the values, ethics and principles of social work and human services, and how these inform methods of practice. This unit will focus on the human services context of professional practice and the broader challenges and opportunities within the social services sector. Consideration will be given to reflective practice and the 'use of self' and how social workers navigate complex systems of service delivery.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2024
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student feedback
Feedback from students throughout the course in 2021 was overall positive. Students commented on the benefit of the residential school and the content and format of these.
Continue to provide engaging residential schools to support student learning.
Feedback from Evaluations
Students provided feedback on the assessments, stating each were helpful in their learning. There was some feedback that some of the assessments were difficult.
Assessments reviewed and greater clarity about task requirements undertaken.
- Examine the historical and contemporary context of service delivery within Australian human service organisations;
- Critique the concepts of social justice, and inequality, and how these inform professional social work practice within Australian human service organisations;
- Appraise the key values, ethics, principles and models of practice that inform professional practice in social work and human services;
- Demonstrate critically reflective practice techniques.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 20% | ||||
| 2 - Reflective Practice Assignment - 30% | ||||
| 3 - Case Study - 50% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Textbooks
THE ROAD TO SOCIAL WORK & HUMAN SERVICE PRACTICE
Edition: 6 or 7 (2020)
Authors: Lesley Chenoweth, Donna McAuliffe
Cengage
Australia
Binding: eBook
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
f.hardy@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to Contemporary Human Services
Chapter
AASW Code of Ethics 2020 AASW Code of Ethics 2020
Chenoweth, L., & McAuliffe, D. (2020). Chapter 1 Starting the journey: An introduction to social work and human service practice 1-28
Events and Submissions/Topic
Unit learning outcomes
What is social work
Goals of social work
Core values of social work
Module/Topic
From Past to Present: History of social work, key discourses shaping the profession
Chapter
Chenoweth, L., & McAuliffe, D. (2020). Chapter 2 Surveying the landscape: Historical and philosophical foundations for practice
Pawar, M.S. & Anscombe, A.W (Eds.). (2015). Contemporary social work practice: Thinking, doing and being. In Reflective social work practice: Thinking, doing and being (Chapter1).
Events and Submissions/Topic
· Key discourses welfare, neoliberalism
· Key concepts
· Discussion of assessment 1
Module/Topic
Current and past discourses influencing social work: Impact on social work practice
Chapter
Chenoweth, L., & McAuliffe, D. (2020). Chapter 3 Locating the lighthouse: Values and ethics in practice.
Green, S., & Bennett, B. (2018). Wayanha: A decolonised social work, Australian Social Work, 71(7), 261-264
Events and Submissions/Topic
Current and past discourses influencing social work: impact of colonisation, racism and discrimination, patriarchy, medical, economic discourse – capitalism, globalisation, neo liberalism etc. This relates to the key issues of social justice, inequality and marginalisation.
ALC presentation
Module/Topic
Importance of reflective practice
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Understanding reflective practice
Understanding concepts of use of self
Understanding our own value base
Module/Topic
Inequality and poverty: The role of social work
Chapter
Boone, K., Roets, G., & Roose, R. (2018). Social work, poverty and anti poverty strategies: Creating cultural forums. British Journal of Social Work, 48, 2381-2399. DOI: 10.1093/bjsw/bcy006
Morris, K., Mason, W., Bywaters, P., Feathestone, B., Brigid, D., Brady, G., et al., (2018). Social work, poverty and child welfare interventions, Child and Family Social Work, 23(3), 364-372
Events and Submissions/Topic
Understanding inequality and poverty
Influence of discourses
The role of social work - macro level practice
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Social justice: Power and inequality
Chapter
Chenoweth, L., & McAuliffe, D. (2020). The road to social work and human service practice. (6th ed.) Chapter 9 Different landscapes: Working with difference and diversity (pp. 269-292).
Ife, J., & Fiske, L. (2006). Human rights and community work: Complementary theories and practices. International Social Work, 49(3), 297-308
UN Convention of the Elimination of all forms of discrimination against women
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recognising power
Human rights perspective
Advocacy and activism
Assessment 1 – Historical analysis of social work (900 words 10%+/-) Due: Week 6 Monday (15 Apr 2024) 6:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Introduction to the knowledge base of social work
Chapter
Chenoweth, L., & McAuliffe, D. (2020). Chapter 5 Finding the right maps: the knowledge base of practice
Events and Submissions/Topic
Key theories and knowledge underpinning social work practice
Assessment 2 discussion - ALC presentation
Module/Topic
Developing skills and knowledge for inclusive and culturally respectful practice
Chapter
Chenoweth, L., & McAuliffe, D. (2020) Chapter 9 Different landscapes working with difference and diversity
Gottlieb, M. (2021) The case for a cultural humility framework in social work practice. Journal of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 30(6), 463-481,
Events and Submissions/Topic
Understanding the concepts of culturally inclusive and respectful practice
Module/Topic
Global social work and climate justice
Chapter
Alston, M. (2015). Social work, climate change and global cooperation. International Social Work, 58(3), 355-363. DOI: 10.1177/0020872814556824
Events and Submissions/Topic
Identifying the role of social work in addressing the impacts of climate injustice
Reflective Practice (1500 words 10% +/-) Due: Week 9 Wednesday (8 May 2024) 6:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Guest speakers - the service user perspective
Chapter
Ping Kwong, K. (2020). Social work is not just a job: The qualities of social workers from the perspectives of service users. Journal of Social Work, 20(6), 775-796
Events and Submissions/Topic
Stepping Stone Clubhouse members will provide their insights on what they value from human services professionals
Assessment 3 discussion
Module/Topic
A day in the life of a social worker Guest speakers
Chapter
Chenoweth, L., & McAuliffe, D. (2020) Chapter 7 Negotiating the maze: The organisational context of practice 202-228
Events and Submissions/Topic
A panel discussion by social workers
Assessment 3 discussion
Module/Topic
Bringing it all together
Chapter
Chenoweth, L., & McAuliffe, D. (2020). Chapter 10 New Journeys Newell, J. M (2018). The essential practice of professional self-care: Cultivating and sustaining professional resilience. Chapter 1 : Cultivating Professional Resilience in Direct Practice
Chenoweth, L., & McAuliffe, D. (2020). Chapter 10 New Journeys
Newell, J. M (2018). The essential practice of professional self-care: Cultivating and sustaining professional resilience.
Chapter 1
Events and Submissions/Topic
Review of the unit
Understanding the importance of self care
· Understanding vicarious trauma
· Developing self care strategies
· Reflective practice
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
Aim: As a social worker in training (SWIT), this written essay aims to deepen your understanding of the historical progression of social work, focusing on its contribution to addressing social justice issues and inequality in Australia.
Task: You will undertake a historical exploration, tracing the evolution of social work from its early days to contemporary social work practice. Your analysis will not only highlight key milestones and social work figures but also critically examine how historical practices and policies have influenced contemporary approaches to service delivery, social justice, and inequality in the field. This reflective journey is an opportunity to connect the past with the present, recognising how historical insights inform and enrich current social work practices.
Instructions for Essay:
Cover Page: Include your name, student number, unit code, assessment details, and an accurate word count.
Introduction (50 words): Introduce the aim of your essay and its significance in understanding the evolution of social work and its current practices concerning social justice and inequality.
Historical Foundations (350-400 words): Describe the development of social work in Australia by focusing on a major policy or field of social work practice. Explain its beginnings, the changes it underwent, and the reasons for those changes. Discuss how society, laws, or economic factors led to these changes. Explain how this evolution affected social work's approach to the pursuit of social justice and the profession's approach to inequality. Your writing should clearly show the timeline of changes and provide insight into how social work adapts to social change.
Eras of Change (350-400 words): In this section, place the evolution of the specific policy or practice you've chosen within the broader context of social work's history in Australia. Discuss how each era's social, economic, and political climate influenced the policy or practice. Highlight key events or shifts in societal attitudes that corresponded with the changes in your chosen example.
Conclusion (50 words): Conclude your essay by summarising key insights and reflecting on how a historical perspective enriches your understanding of current social work practices within Australian human service organisations.
References: List all the sources you have cited in your essay, following the appropriate academic referencing style.
Week 6 Monday (15 Apr 2024) 6:00 pm AEST
Submit via moodle in WORD format only
Week 8 Monday (29 Apr 2024)
Marked assessments will be returned via Moodle
Assessment Criteria for Historical Analysis of Social Work
Total Marks: 20%
Introduction (2 Marks)
- A clear and precise statement of the aim of the essay is required. The significance of understanding the evolution of social work and its current practices concerning social justice and inequality should be explicitly stated. (1 mark for clarity and precision of the aim, 1 mark for articulating the significance).
Historical Foundations (6 Marks)
- Accuracy and Depth of Content (3 Marks): The essay should provide a comprehensive description of the development of social work in Australia, focusing on a major policy or field. This includes a detailed explanation of its beginnings, the changes it underwent, and the reasons for those changes. (1.5 marks for comprehensive description, 1.5 marks for detailed explanation).
- Analysis and Insight (3 Marks): This part should include an insightful discussion on how society, laws, or economic factors led to changes in the field. The timeline of changes should be clearly depicted, showing how social work adapts to social change. (1.5 marks for insightful discussion, 1.5 marks for clear depiction of the timeline)
Eras of Change (6 Marks)
- Contextual Understanding (3 Marks): This section requires a detailed discussion on how each era's social, economic, and political climate influenced the policy or practice. Additionally, there should be an accurate identification of key events or shifts in societal attitudes. (2 marks for detailed discussion, 1 mark for accurate identification of key events).
- Critical Examination (3 Marks): The essay should critically analyse the influence of historical eras on the evolution of the specific policy or practice. It should also highlight the correspondence between societal changes and shifts in social work practice. (2 marks for critical analysis, 1 mark for highlighting correspondence)
Conclusion (2 Marks)
- The essay should effectively summarise key insights and include reflective commentary on how a historical perspective enriches understanding of current social work practices within Australian human service organizations. (1 mark for effective summarisation, 1 mark for reflective commentary)
Academic Writing (4 Marks)
- Quality of Writing (2 Marks): The essay should be clear, coherent, and logically structured. Adherence to the specified word count for each section is essential. (1 mark for clarity, coherence, and logical flow, 1 mark for adherence to word count)
- Referencing and Citation (2 Marks): Proper and consistent use of the appropriate academic referencing style is required. All sources cited in the essay must be accurately listed. (1 mark for proper and consistent use of referencing style, 1 mark for accuracy in listing sources)
Generative AI Usage Guidelines for the Assessment
Usage Permission: You may use Generative AI (Gen-AI) to help you understand the question, explain research concepts, and check if references are in the correct format.
Usage Declaration: If you use Gen-AI, include a statement declaring that you have used Gen-AI and how you have used it.
Restrictions on Usage: Do not use Gen-AI in the creation or critical analysis of the content or to write or rewrite any part of your assessment.
Caution: Be aware that Gen-AI output can be incorrect and can include fictitious references and sources.
Notes:
Essays must be submitted with a cover page including the student's name, number, unit code, assessment details, and an accurate word count.
- Examine the historical and contemporary context of service delivery within Australian human service organisations;
- Critique the concepts of social justice, and inequality, and how these inform professional social work practice within Australian human service organisations;
2 Reflective Practice Assignment
Aim
The aim of this assessment is to demonstrate an understanding of the key values, ethics, and principles of the social work profession to become a competent ethical practitioner. Reflective practice allows you to critically analyse your own work, helping to take an objective view of your skills, abilities, and approaches which allows you to continually improve your practice. Reflecting on key values, ethics and principles is a critical skill for all social workers and human services professionals.
Instructions
Within this assignment, you will be required to do the following:
1. COVER PAGE- include your name, student number, course code and assessment details and word count
2. INTRODUCTION (50-100 words)
3. Drawing on appropriate literature and references, discuss the key values and principles that underpin ethical professional practice in social work and human services. Identify 2 of your core values that underpin your emerging practice framework. (550 - 600 words)
4. Discuss and evaluate the concept of reflection and why this is important to ethical practice. In doing so critically discuss how understanding your own values and their alignment with social work values contributes to ethical practice. (750 words)
5. CONCLUSION (50-100 words)
6. REFERENCES
Week 9 Wednesday (8 May 2024) 6:00 pm AEST
Submit via turnitin word format only
Week 11 Monday (20 May 2024)
Marked papers will be returned via moodle
Assessment Criteria
Total Marks: 30%
Introduction (3 Marks)
Clear and concise introduction of the essay's aim and the significance of reflecting on key values, ethics, and principles in social work and human services. (1.5 marks for clarity and conciseness, 1.5 marks for articulating the significance)
Discussion of Values and Principles (10 Marks)
Comprehensive discussion on the key values and principles underpinning ethical professional practice in social work and human services. (5 marks).
Clarity in identifying and discussing the key values and principles. (2.5 marks)
Insightful identification and articulation of 2 core personal values underpinning the student's emerging practice framework. (2.5 marks)
Evaluation of Reflection in Ethical Practice (12 Marks)
Detailed and critical discussion on the concept of reflection and its importance to ethical practice. (6 marks)
Insightful evaluation of how reflection contributes to ethical practice. (3 marks)
Critical analysis of the alignment of personal values with social work values and its contribution to ethical practice. (3 marks)
Demonstrated understanding of critically reflective practice techniques. (6 marks)
Ability to critically self-reflect on practice techniques. (3 marks)
Integration of reflective practice techniques into the discussion, showcasing depth of understanding. (3 marks)
Conclusion (3 Marks)
Effective summary of key insights gained from the reflection on values, ethics, and principles in social work. (1.5 marks)
Thoughtful reflection on how this essay contributes to the student's understanding and development as an ethical practitioner. (1.5 marks)
Academic Writing (2 Marks)
Quality of Writing: The essay should be well-structured, clear, and coherently presented. Adherence to the specified word count for each section is required. (1 mark)
Referencing and Citation: Accurate and consistent use of APA referencing throughout. All literature used is appropriate and scholarly (1 mark)
Notes:
The essay must be submitted with a cover page including the student's name, number, unit code, assessment details, and an accurate word count.
A detailed rubric is available in the Moodle site.
- Appraise the key values, ethics, principles and models of practice that inform professional practice in social work and human services;
- Demonstrate critically reflective practice techniques.
3 Case Study
Aim
You are required to demonstrate your understanding of the pivotal role social work plays in social justice and human rights issues in Australia and in the global context. You will do this by identifying a social issue that leads to inequality and critically discuss how social work contributes to addressing the issue, drawing on evidence. You are to select one social issue (Australian or global context) from the list below and consider the strategies and challenges to addressing the issues at a macro level.
Australian Social Issues:
First Nations Rights and Inequalities: Exploring issues such as the overrepresentation of First Nations Australians in the criminal justice system, health disparities, and the ongoing impact of historical policies like the Stolen Generations.
Homelessness: Investigating the causes and consequences of homelessness in Australia, including the lack of affordable housing and the impact on mental health.
Mental Health: Addressing mental health stigma, access to mental health services, and the relationship between mental health issues and social inequality.
Child Protection: Examining the child protection system, including issues around child abuse and neglect, out of home care, and the challenges of ensuring child safety and well-being.
Poverty and Economic Inequality: Investigating the impact of poverty on various populations within Australia, including the working poor, and the effects of economic inequality on access to education, healthcare, and housing.
Global Social Issues:
Refugee and Asylum Seeker Rights: Exploring the treatment of refugees and asylum seekers, including issues related to detention, resettlement, and the challenges of integration into new communities.
Human Trafficking: Investigating global human trafficking networks, including the exploitation of individuals for labor and sex, and the role of social work in addressing and preventing trafficking.
Gender Inequality: Addressing issues related to gender inequality, including gender-based violence, access to education for girls and women, and the fight for equal rights and opportunities.
Access to Clean Water and Sanitation: Exploring the impact of limited access to clean water and sanitation on communities in developing countries, including health outcomes and the role of social work in advocating for improved infrastructure.
Climate Change and Environmental Justice: Investigating the social impacts of climate change, including displacement, health risks, and economic challenges, particularly on vulnerable populations and the role of social work in advocating for sustainable practices and policies.
Instructions
Within this assignment, the set out will be as below:
1. Cover page- include your name, student number, course code and assessment details and word count
2. INTRODUCTION (50-100 words)
3. Identify and explore one of the social issues related to inequality within the Australian or global context. Describe the scope of the issue linking this to social work. (500 words)
4. Critically discuss one of the dominant discourses you have explored in the unit and the impact of the discourse on the social issue you selected (for example, a neoliberalised discourse on individual responsibility for social and economic well-being and the impacts of neoliberal policies on social services and inequality). (550-600 words)
5. Critically discuss how social work addresses or can address inequality and promote social justice with regard to this issue. (550-600 words)
4. CONCLUSION (50 words)
5. REFERENCES
Generative AI Usage Guidelines for the Assessment
Usage Permission: You may use Generative AI (Gen-AI) to help you understand the question, explain research concepts, and check if references are in the correct format.
Usage Declaration: If you use Gen-AI, include a statement declaring that you have used Gen-AI and how you have used it.
Restrictions on Usage: Do not use Gen-AI in the creation or critical analysis of the content or to write or rewrite any part of your assessment.
Caution: Be aware that Gen-AI output can be incorrect and can include fictitious references and sources.
Review/Exam Week Monday (3 June 2024) 6:00 pm AEST
Submit word document via moodle
Assignments will be returned via Moodle
Assessment Criteria
Presentation and Structure (5 marks)
The essay should be well-organised, with a clear structure that enhances the clarity and coherence of the arguments. Attention must be given to the layout and strict adherence to the submission requirements, including the cover page and word count specifications.
Identification and Exploration of a Social Issue Related to Inequality (10 Marks)
A clear identification and comprehensive exploration of a social issue from the provided list leading to inequality within the Australian or global context. The scope of the issue should be well-described, with explicit linkage to social work.
Critical Discussion of One Dominant Discourse and Its Impact on the Social Issue (15 Marks)
A detailed critical discussion of one of the dominant discourses explored in the unit and its impact on the social issue, including the causes and the perpetuation of the issue. The analysis should draw on evidence from the literature and demonstrate an understanding of the discourse's implications.
Critical Discussion of How Social Work Addresses Inequality and Promotes Social Justice (15 Marks)
A thorough critical discussion on how social work addresses or can address inequality and promote social justice concerning the identified issue. The essay should provide insights into strategies and challenges at a macro level, supported by evidence from literature and practice.
Appropriate Use of Referencing (APA 7th Edition) (5 Marks)
References should be accurately cited and listed at the end of the document according to APA 7th edition guidelines. The essay should demonstrate a consistent and correct application of referencing throughout.
- Critique the concepts of social justice, and inequality, and how these inform professional social work practice within Australian human service organisations;
- Appraise the key values, ethics, principles and models of practice that inform professional practice in social work and human services;
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
