Task Description

Each quiz will comprise 10 multiple choice questions randomly drawn from a question pool. 

Each quiz will be time limited to 30 minutes.

Each student will have one attempt.

The quiz will be available to students for five days, but once the quiz is opened, it is limited to 30 minutes.

Quiz questions will be drawn from the weekly required readings and the lecture notes.

Quiz One will cover content from weeks 1, 2, 3, 4 and be held at the end of week 4.

Quiz Two will cover content from weeks 5, 6, 7 and be held at the end week 7.

Quiz Three will cover content from weeks 8, 9,10,11 and be held at the end of week 11.

The aim of this assessment is to enhance your ability to critically analyse the 2024 Federal budget announcements, focusing on their implications for social work. You will assess the budget's impact on various social policy areas, identify key priorities, evaluate the potential effectiveness of the proposed measures and consider the implications for social work practice. You will utilise social policy theories and concepts discussed in the lectures and recommended readings to demonstrate your knowledge and analysis of the topic. 

The essay should include:

1.             A brief overview of the 2024 budget, which includes an outline of the key objectives and priorities set out in the budget and the aim of your analysis and the social policy area you will focus on.

2.             Discussion about the background context, such as the current socio-economic context in which the budget has been announced and any significant social issues and challenges facing the country that the budget aims to address.

3.             Analysis of Social Policy 

Choose one social policy area from the following list to analyse the 2024 Federal Budget in detail:

·       Healthcare

·       Education

·       Housing

·       Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation

·       Employment and Labour Market

·       Child and Family Services

·       Elderly Care

·       Disability Services

Your analysis should include:

·       Summary of the budget allocations and key initiatives proposed.

·       Analysis of the potential impact of these initiatives on the target population.  

·       Critical evaluation of the adequacy and sustainability of the funding and measures.

4.     Critical Evaluation

Your critical analysis should include:

·       Assess the overall alignment of the budget with the principles of social justice and equity, and how the policy will address the needs of First Nations communities and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

·       Discuss any potential gaps or overlooked issues in the budget.

·       Consider the long-term implications of the budget for social policy development.

·       Evaluate the policy in relation to its alignment to the AASW Code of Ethics (2020) and Practice Standards (2023). You need to include a comment about the AASW’s position regarding this policy and to identify areas where there are conflicts with AASW values and ethics.  

You should include a conclusion that summarises the key findings of your analysis and provides recommendations for future policy considerations or improvements.

The essay should incorporate references to social policy literature. You are expected to refer to the unit content, suggested unit readings and undertake independent reading.

 
Literature and references
 

In this assessment use at least 10 references to support your analysis. You may also use scholarly literature where relevant. Suitable references include peer-reviewed journal articles as well as textbooks and credible websites. When sourcing information, consider the five elements of a quality reference: currency, authority, relevance, objectivity, and coverage. Grey literature sourced from the internet must be from reputable websites such as from government, university, or peak national bodies: for example, the Australian Association of Social Workers.

Requirements 
•              Use a cover page that includes your name and student number, the subject code, the date, and the number of words in your submission.

•              Use a conventional and legible size 12 font, such as Times New Roman or Arial, with 2.0 line spacing and 2.54 cm page margins (standard pre-set margin in Microsoft Word).

•              Include page numbers on the top right side of each page in a header.

•              You should write in the third-person perspective. 

•              Use formal academic language.

•              Use the seventh edition American Psychological Association (APA) referencing style. The CQUniversity Academic Learning Centre has an online APA Referencing Style Guide.

•              The word count is considered from the introduction's first word to the conclusion's last word. The word count excludes the reference list but includes in-text references and direct quotations.

 
Professional social work writing 

It is crucial for students to demonstrate professional social work writing in their assessments. This involves using a tone that is respectful, clear, and free from bias, while also adhering to the ethical standards and principles of the social work profession. Effective communication, appropriate terminology, and a well-structured argument are key components of professional writing in social work. Your ability to present a persuasive, evidence-based argument in a professional manner will enhance your advocacy efforts and influence in policy reform debates.

Generative AI

The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen-AI) tools, including AI-driven writing assistants and content generators, is not permitted in this assessment. This social work practice standard is based on the requirement for students to demonstrate essential human capacities, skills, and knowledge crucial for social work practice as outlined by the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS, 2021). Social work relies on human interaction, empathy, ethical decision-making, and effective communication—skills that cannot be adequately assessed through AI-generated content. To ensure the integrity and development of these capabilities, students must verify that any grammar or writing enhancement programs used do not incorporate AI components. Compliance with this social work practice standard is vital for meeting ASWEAS graduate attributes and preparing for professional practice. 

 
Resources
·       You can use unit provided materials and other credible sources (e.g. journal articles, books) to reference your argument. The quality and credibility of your sources are important.

·       We recommend that you access your discipline specific library guide: the Social Work and Community Services Guide.

·       We recommend you use EndNote to manage your citations and reference list. More information on how to use EndNote is available at the CQUniversity Library website.

·       For information on academic communication please go to the Academic Learning Centre Moodle site. The Academic Communication section has many helpful resources including information for students with English as a second language.

·       Submit a draft before the due date to review your Turnitin Similarity Score before making a final submission. Instructions are available here. 

Aims

The aim of this assessment is to enhance your understanding of social policy analysis and develop your ability to advocate for positive policy reform. You will analyse a social policy topic, identify aspects of the policy that require change, and propose solutions or next steps. Additionally, you will explore how social workers engage in social policy debates to influence policy change. 

Task Description

Choose one social policy topic from the list below:

·       Family Violence: The National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032

·       First Nations Health: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2021–2031

·       Housing and Homelessness: National Housing and Homelessness Plan (in development)

·       Child Safety: Safe and Supported: the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2021 - 2031

1.     Introduction

·       Provide a brief introduction to the social policy topic you have chosen. This should include an outline of the current policy framework and its key components and the purpose of your briefing paper.

2.     Policy Analysis

·       Analyse the current policy, highlighting its objectives, target population, and implementation strategies.

·       Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the policy.

·       Identify the social, economic, and political context influencing the policy.

3.     Identifying Issues

·       Identify and discuss specific aspects of the policy that require change.

·       Use evidence from academic sources, government reports, and relevant data to support your analysis.

·       Highlight the impact of these issues on the target population and broader society.

4.     Proposing Solutions

·       Propose realistic and evidence-based solutions or next steps to address the identified issues.

·       Discuss how these solutions align with principles of social justice, equity, and effectiveness.

·       Consider potential challenges and how they might be mitigated.

5.     Role of Social Workers

·       Explore how social workers engage in social policy debates and advocacy.

·       Discuss the strategies social workers use to influence policy change, such as lobbying, coalition building, and public education.

·       Provide examples of successful social worker-led policy reforms or initiatives.

6.     Conclusion

·       Summarise the key points of your analysis and proposed solutions.

·       Reinforce the importance of the recommended changes for improving the policy.

 Suggested Resources

·       Policy Documents: Access relevant policy documents through government websites and databases.

·       Academic Journals: Utilise the university library for accessing journals and articles on social policy.

·       Professional Organisations: Refer to publications and resources from social work and social policy organisations.

·       News Outlets and Reports: For current events and case studies related to your chosen policy topic.

Note: Students are encouraged to approach this assignment with a critical and analytical mindset, drawing on a wide range of sources to support their analysis and proposals. Discussions in tutorials and lectures will provide additional guidance and support.

Professional social work writing 

It is crucial for students to demonstrate professional social work writing in their assessments. This involves using a tone that is respectful, clear, and free from bias, while also adhering to the ethical standards and principles of the social work profession. Effective communication, appropriate terminology, and a well-structured argument are key components of professional writing in social work. Your ability to present a persuasive, evidence-based argument in a professional manner will enhance your advocacy efforts and influence in policy reform debates.

Generative AI

The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen-AI) tools, including AI-driven writing assistants and content generators, is not permitted in this assessment. This social work practice standard is based on the requirement for students to demonstrate essential human capacities, skills, and knowledge crucial for social work practice as outlined by the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS, 2021). Social work relies on human interaction, empathy, ethical decision-making, and effective communication—skills that cannot be adequately assessed through AI-generated content. To ensure the integrity and development of these capabilities, students must verify that any grammar or writing enhancement programs used do not incorporate AI components. Compliance with this social work practice standard is vital for meeting ASWEAS graduate attributes and preparing for professional practice. 

Literature and references 

In this assessment, use at least ten references to support your argument. You may also use seminal scholarly literature where relevant. Suitable references include peer-reviewed journal articles as well as textbooks and credible websites. When sourcing information, consider the five elements of a quality reference: currency, authority, relevance, objectivity, and coverage. Grey literature sourced from the internet must be from reputable websites such as from government, university, or peak national bodies: for example, the Australian Association of Social Workers.

 
Requirements 
·       Use a cover page that includes your name and student number, the subject code, the date, and the number of words in your submission.

·       Use a conventional and legible size 12 font, such as Times New Roman or Arial, with 2.0 line spacing and 2.54cm page margins (standard pre-set margin in Microsoft Word).

·       Include page numbers on the top right side of each page in a header.

·       You may write in the first-person or third person perspective. 

·       Use formal academic language.

·       Use the seventh edition American Psychological Association (APA) referencing style. The CQUniversity Academic Learning Centre has an online APA Referencing Style Guide.

·       The word count is considered from the introduction's first word to the conclusion's last word. The word count excludes the reference list but includes in-text references and direct quotations.

Resources
·       You can use unit provided materials and other credible sources (e.g. journal articles, books) to reference your argument. The quality and credibility of your sources are important.

·       We recommend that you access your discipline specific library guide: the Social Work and Community Services Guide.

·       We recommend you use EndNote to manage your citations and reference list. More information on how to use EndNote is available at the CQUniversity Library website.

·       For information on academic communication please go to the Academic Learning Centre Moodle site. The Academic Communication section has many helpful resources including information for students with English as a second language.

·       Submit a draft before the due date to review your Turnitin Similarity Score before making a final submission. Instructions are available here.