You are required to participate in three online group discussions. These 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 your capacity to participate in an 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 to 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.

• Analysis and reflection on the unit and independent readings.

• A discussion on the important issues relating to ethics in a human services context.

• Knowledge of 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, 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% 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 limit

• 400 words maximum for the online response to the group discussion topic.
• No word limit for response to a student.
• 200 words maximum for online reflective practice post.

You must remain within 10% of the word limit. The word count is considered from the first word to the last word of the student post. It excludes the reference list. It includes in-text references and direct quotations. 

Penalties will apply for late submissions as per CQUniversity late submission procedure.

• Important note: Each group discussion is weighted 10% and will be marked out of 10.   Assessment Criteria			Grade
  	HD (85-100)	D (75-84)	C (65-74)	P (50=64)	F (0-49)
  Demonstrate an understanding of the content of the group discussion.   (  /2 Marks)	Excellent understanding demonstrated.	Very good understanding demonstrated.	Good understanding demonstrated.	Adequate or basic understanding demonstrated.	Inadequate or inappropriate Understanding.
  Demonstrate a capacity for analysis and reflection based on the course and independent readings.  ( /2 Marks)	Advanced analysis and reflection demonstrated.	Very good analysis and reflection demonstrated.	Good analysis and reflection demonstrated.	Adequate or basic analysis and reflection demonstrated.	Inadequate or inappropriate analysis and reflection demonstrated.
  Demonstrates an ability to interact and discuss important issues relating to ethics in a human services context.       ( /2 Marks)	Excellent ability to interact and discuss ethical issues.	Very good ability to interact and discuss ethical issues.	Good ability to interact and discuss ethical issues.	Adequate or basic ability to interact and discuss ethical issues.	Inadequate or inappropriate ability to interact and discuss ethical issues.
  Identifies the core ethical principles of social work and community welfare practice making reference to the AASW Code of Ethics.  (  /2 Marks)	Advanced understanding of core professional ethical principles demonstrated.	Very good understanding demonstrated.	Good understanding demonstrated.	Adequate or basic understanding demonstrated.	Inadequate or inappropriate understanding demonstrated.
  Demonstrates synthesis and integration of literature within postings, clear expression and grammar, appropriate referencing (Harvard), and citation, with correct spelling (Macquarie) and punctuation.     ( /2 Marks)	Excellent synthesis and argument.  Excellent writing and extensive referencing.	Very good synthesis and argument.  Very good writing and comprehensive referencing.	Good synthesis and argument.  Good writing and good referencing.	Adequate or basic synthesis and argument.  Adequate writing or referencing.	Inaccurate or limited synthesis or argument.  Inadequate writing and referencing.

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. Within your chosen field of practice, you are also required to analyse the ethical issues that may present when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients and communities and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. 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 the argument, correct spelling (Macquarie) and punctuation, with appropriate citation and referencing (Harvard). Remains within the word limit.

Length

• 1500 words (excluding references and appendices). The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, and reference list. It includes in-text references and direct quotations. You must remain within 10% of the word limit (a maximum of 1% of the mark will be deducted for every 100 words over or under this range).
  

Penalties will apply for late submissions as per CQUniversity assessment procedure.

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 courses 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 a different course of action you have considered, what course of action would you favour? (Be sure to explain and provide an ethical justification and evaluation for your decision)
• Explain the cultural considerations you would make in your decision-making process for each course of action 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 judgment about his current life circumstances.
3. The social worker decides that the least restrictive route is to contact Mr Cowan's brother to check on Mr Cowan over the weekend.
4. The social worker explains to Mr Cowan that they are not convinced he can attend to his needs and presents him with the options based on their assessment.

Length

• 2000 words (excluding references and appendices). The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, and reference list. It includes in-text references and direct quotations. You must remain within 10% of the word limit.
  

Penalties will apply for late submissions as per CQU late submission procedure.