The three online group discussions are intended to replicate a face to face tutorial to develop student knowledge of ethical practice and skills essential for social work practice. The activities will strengthen capacity to participate in informative discussion for ethical decision making and provide constructive feedback to peers.

Student role

You are yourself, a social work/human services student. These activities are to be viewed as learning opportunities rather than peer evaluation. Students should seek to expand their knowledge and understanding by accessing and participating in peer discussion.

Product

Three online discussion topic responses along with three responses to another student's discussion post, and a short reflection will be posted on Moodle by the due date for each respective topic.

Your responses should demonstrate:

• An understanding of the content of the group discussion.

• Capacity to critically analyse and reflect on the unit and independent readings.

• Ability to discuss important issues relating to ethics in a human services context.

• The core ethical principles of social work practice making reference to the AASW Code of Ethics.

What's involved?

In weeks 2, 4, and 7 you will post an online response to a group discussion topic provided, make a considered response to another student's submission, and return to your original response and post a short reflection.

All three group discussion topic submissions will be assessed (10% weight each). A detailed schedule of dates, discussion topics and requirements for each topic will be provided under the Assessment 1 - Group Discussion heading on Moodle.

To pass this assessment you are required to post a response to the topic, respond to another student's discussion post, and provide a short reflection to all three group discussion topics.

You are expected to have completed the core readings before participating in the group discussion and your discussion should make reference to the core readings and be properly cited/referenced (Harvard). Additionally you are encouraged to undertake independent reading on the topic.

Please note: You are expected to adhere to acceptable netiquette protocols in all your communications on the Moodle site.

Word limt

• 500 words maximum for online response to group discussion topic.
• No word limit for response to student.
• 300 words maximum for online reflective practice post.

You must remain within 10% of the word limit

Penalties will apply for late submissions.

• Demonstrates an understanding of the content of the group discussion. Responds to all three group discussion topics by the required time.

• Demonstrates a capacity for critical analysis and reflection based on the unit and independent readings.

• Demonstrates an ability to interact and discuss important issues relating to ethics in a human services context.

• Identifies the core ethical principles of social work practice making reference to the AASW Code of Ethics.

• Demonstrates synthesis and integration of literature within postings, strength and logic in argument, clear expression and grammar, appropriate referencing and citation (Harvard), with correct spelling (Macquarie) and punctuation. Remains within word limit.

Ethical decision making is the "systematic, reflective process by which dilemmas can be resolved" (AASW 2010, p. 14).

Your task is to identify a field of practice (mental health, child protection, youth justice/work, health, aged care, etc) and explore the ethical dilemmas that a social worker/human services worker would commonly encounter in that area, giving consideration to the AASW (2010) Code of Ethics. Additionally, you are required to identify how you might resolve the ethical dilemmas that you may encounter. You are also required to give consideration to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients and communities, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in your chosen field of practice, and the ethical issues that you would need to consider when working with these groups. The essay must make reference to the literature. You are expected to refer to the unit readings and undertake independent reading.

Product

With reference to the chosen field of practice, a written essay that addresses the following:

• Identifies the ethical dilemmas a social worker/human service worker would commonly experience in the chosen field of practice, making reference to the literature relevant to this assignment topic.
• Identifies how the identified ethical dilemmas can be resolved, making reference to the relevant literature.
• Analyses the ethical elements of cultural competence when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in this chosen field of practice. 
• Identifies the core ethical principles of social work practice making reference to the AASW Code of Ethics (2010).
• Demonstrates synthesis and integration of literature, strength and logic of argument, correct spelling (Macquarie) and punctuation, with appropriate citation and referencing (Harvard). Remains within word limit.

Length

• 1500 words (excluding references and appendices).
  

Penalties will apply for late submissions.

• Identifies the ethical dilemmas a human service worker could experience in the chosen field of practice, making reference to the literature relevant to this assignment topic.

• Identifies how ethical dilemmas discussed can be resolved, making reference to the relevant literature.

• Analyses the ethical elements of cultural competence including working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in the chosen field of practice.

• Identifies the core ethical principles of social work practice making reference to the AASW Code of Ethics.

• Demonstrates synthesis and integration of literature, strength and logic in argument, clear expression and grammar, correct spelling (Macquarie) and punctuation, and appropriate citation and referencing (Harvard). Remains within word limit.

This assessment requires you to analyse an ethical dilemma in social work practice. You will explore the complex ethical dilemmas that emerge when political, social and economic context impacts on client populations and social work practice. Ethical problem solving is therefore an important professional requirement for social work practice.

Product

A written essay that addresses the ethical dilemma (Vignette) outlined on Moodle under Assessment 3 - Written Assessment.

Your discussion needs to address the following:

• For each of the following course of actions listed below, provide a rationale for selecting and rejecting the action in Mr Cowan's case.
• Refer to the AASW Code of Ethics and identify the relevant ethical principles, values and responsibilities that apply to the scenario and courses of action.
• Based on the options below or other, what course of action would you favour? (Be sure to explain your decision)
• Explain the cultural considerations you would make in your decision making process if Mr Cowan identified as an Aboriginal person.
  
• You are required to refer to the literature relevant to this assignment's topic.

1. The social worker decides to respect the principles of confidentiality and self determination and do nothing.
2. The social worker assesses for involuntary placement due to Mr Cowan's impaired judgement about his current life circumstances.
3. The social worker decides that the least restrictive route is to contact Mr Cowan's brother to check in on Mr Cowan over the weekend.
4. The social worker explains to Mr Cowan that you are not convinced he can attend to his needs and present him with the options based on your assessment.

Length

• 2000 words (excluding references and appendices). You must remain within 10% of the word limit.
  

Penalties will apply for late submissions.

• Demonstrated ability to rationalise an ethical position, making reference to the literature relevant to this assignment topic.

• Demonstrated conceptual understanding of the ethical issues in relation to each course of action.

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of relevant sections of AASW Code of Ethics that apply to the course of actions argued.
• Analyses the ethical elements of cultural competence when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.
  

• Demonstrates synthesis and integration of literature, strength and logic in argument, clear expression and grammar, correct spelling (Macquarie) and punctuation, and appropriate citation and referencing (Harvard). Remains within word limit.