Overview
This unit provides you with an overview of the ideas and practices of contemporary management and leadership and relates these to social work practice. You should be able to critically analyse the role of social worker as a manager, evaluate management and leadership approaches, and explore alternative leadership strategies to assist in the integration of social work values and ethics alongside the role of the manager and specific agency requirements for the delivery of services. You should be able to propose leadership models appropriate to social work practice contexts and provide relevant strategies to promote social work values and ethics, and collaborative leadership. You will have opportunities in this unit to integrate your learning with experiences in the workplace or field education.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Successful completion of 48 credit points and pre-requisite of SOWK13009 is required.
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 - 2026
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.
- Critically evaluate contemporary approaches to management within organisations where social work is practised including the trends and theories influencing these approaches
- Propose a management plan appropriate to social work practice contexts that promotes the integration of social work values and ethics and collaborative leadership, including leadership approaches suitable for Indigenous and cross cultural contexts.
- Critically reflect on leadership qualities and skills and articulate insights gained for future social work practice.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 40% | |||
| 2 - Group Discussion - 30% | |||
| 3 - Group Work - 30% | |||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 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 - First Nations Knowledges | |||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
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.
p.cesare@cqu.edu.au
s.wayland@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to Leadership
Chapter
Please locate this week’s reading via the eReading List
Reading the eReading list for each week is required to successfully complete the unit.
Please contact TASAC if you are unable to access or locate the readings.
Events and Submissions/Topic
ORIENTATION: Take some time to carefully read the unit profile and the assessment task descriptions, and orient yourself to the unit Moodle site, beginning with the welcome video or written introduction. This recording provides an overview of learning and teaching activities, residential school, assessment tasks, and lecture/tutorial times.
LIVE SESSIONS ONLINE
Virtual Classroom
Tuesday 10th March
415 – 515pm (AEST)
If you would like to meet with the Unit Coordinator to discuss teaching and learning, provide feedback, or ask questions about the assessment tasks, please attend the classroom.
These are held each week except in Weeks 3 and 7.
Live Zoom Tutorial
These are activity-based sessions where you will get to practice skills in the tutorial.
These are held each week except in Weeks 3 and 7. Please check the dates each week, as days may change due to public holidays.
Friday 13th March
1230-200pm (AEST)
Intro to the unit and leadership.
RECORDED LEARNING AND TEACHING
Introduction to the Unit
Overview of learning and teaching activities, residential school, assessment tasks, and lecture/tutorial times. Please watch or read the written introduction.
Week 1 Recorded Lecture
Week 1 PowerPoint
Week 1 Recorded Live Tutorial
Week 1 Recorded Podcast
Weekly lectures and PowerPoints are available each week. Podcasts are available most weeks.
FORUMS
Introduction Forum (General)
Introduce yourself to your student peers.
Week 1 Group Discussion Forum (Week 1)
Participate in the forum to engage with questions and activities related to the week and to interact with your peers and Unit Coordinator. will provide formative feedback about your progress and understanding of the learning.
The group discussion forum is available most weeks in the unit.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT/ACTIVITIES
This section provides additional learning materials to deepen your understanding of the required content or to enhance your understanding.
This will be available each week.
CHECKLIST
Have you:
- Watched the unit introduction video.
- Created a study plan for the term, including participation in Zoom tutorials, residential school, and assessment tasks.
- Reviewed content in Week 1.
- Read e-Reading in Week 1.
- Participated in an online forum about week 1 content.
Module/Topic
Leadership, Power, & Influence
Chapter
Visit the study module on the unit Moodle site for the weekly recorded lecture, content, readings, and learning activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
LIVE SESSIONS ONLINE
Virtual Classroom
Tuesday 17th March
415 -515pm (AEST)
Live Zoom Tutorial
Monday 16th March
1230 – 200pm (AEST)
We engage in a range of activities that explore how power can be misused and used ethically.
Assessment
You can find the group pair that you have been assigned to in the Assessment tile on:
Monday 16th March
Contact your group member to organise a meeting to set up a plan for A1 and A2.
- Contact the UC if you are not allocated to a group. ·
- Please check your CQU email at least twice a week.
- Please check the forums and announcements at least twice a week.
CHECKLIST
Have you:
- Created a study plan.
- Developed a plan with your group to complete Assessments 1 and 2.
Module/Topic
Leadership, Gender & Culture
Chapter
Visit the study module on the unit Moodle site for the weekly recorded lecture, content, readings, and learning activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
LIVE SESSIONS ONLINE
Virtual Classroom
Monday 23rd March at 415 - 515pm
Please note the change of day.
Assessment 1 Overview
Monday 23rd March
1230 - 130pm (AEST)
The Zoom will be recorded.
There is no live tutorial this week.
Module/Topic
Managerialsim in Human Services
Chapter
Visit the study module on the unit Moodle site for the weekly recorded lecture, content, readings, and learning activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
LIVE SESSIONS ONLINE
Virtual Classroom
Tuesday 31st March
415 – 515pm (AEST)
Live Zoom Tutorial
Monday 30th March
1230 -200pm AEST
In this tutorial, we will consolidate the learning from Week 3 through applied discussion and case examples to strengthen conceptual understanding and critical analysis.
To get the most out of the tutorial, please review the Week 3 content beforehand, as we will apply the concepts in the discussion activities.
ASSESSMENT
Assessment 1 is due in Week 6. By this stage, you should be progressing with your planning and research.
Module/Topic
Ethical Social Work & Leadership
Chapter
Visit the study module on the unit Moodle site for the weekly recorded lecture, content, readings, and learning activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
LIVE SESSIONS ONLINE
Virtual Classroom
Tuesday 7th April 2026
415 – 515pm (AEST)
Live Zoom Tutorial
Tuesday 7th April
1230 – 200pm (AEST)
Please note the change of day.
In this tutorial, we will consolidate learning from Weeks 4 and 5 through applied discussion and case examples to strengthen conceptual understanding and critical analysis.
To get the most out of the tutorial, please review the Weeks 4 and 5 content beforehand, as we will apply the concepts in the discussion activities.
Module/Topic
Theoretical Perspectives in Leadership
Chapter
Visit the study module on the unit Moodle site for the weekly recorded lecture, content, readings, and learning activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
LIVE SESSIONS ONLINE
Virtual Classroom
Tuesday 14th April
415 – 515pm (AEST)
Live Zoom Tutorial
Monday 13th April
130 - 300pm (AEST)
Please note the change of time.
In this tutorial, we will consolidate learning from Week 6 through applied discussion and case examples to strengthen conceptual understanding and critical analysis.
To get the most out of the tutorial, please review the Week 6 content beforehand, as we will apply the concepts in the discussion activities.
Assessment 2
This is due in Week 9. Commence planning in your pairs.
Assessment 2 Overview
Friday 17th April
1200 -100pm (AEST)
Group Podcast Recording Due: Week 6 Wednesday (15 Apr 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Vacation Week
Chapter
This week offers time to catch up on any required readings and consolidate your understanding of the material.
Events and Submissions/Topic
ACTIVITIES
This week provides an opportunity to catch up on or revisit any teaching and learning activities you may have missed or would like to review.
APPOINTMENTS WITH THE UC:
If you would like to meet with the UC to discuss any learning and teaching matters, you can contact the UC via email to organise an appointment this week.
Module/Topic
Context & Structual Analysis in Leadership
Chapter
Visit the study module on the unit Moodle site for the weekly recorded lecture, content, readings, and learning activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
LIVE SESSIONS ONLINE
There are no live sessions this week.
Checklist:
Have you met with your partner to plan and develop your Assessment 2 presentation recording?
Module/Topic
Leadership, Social Justice, Advocacy, and Activism
Chapter
Visit the study module on the unit Moodle site for the weekly recorded lecture, content, readings, and learning activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
LIVE SESSIONS ONLINE
Virtual Classroom
Tuesday 5th May 2026
415 – 515pm (AEST)
Live Zoom Tutorial
Friday 8th May
1230 – 200pm (AEST)
Please note the change of day.
In this tutorial, we will consolidate learning from Week 8 through applied discussion and case examples to strengthen conceptual understanding and critical analysis.
To get the most out of the tutorial, please review the Week 8 content beforehand, as we will apply the concepts in the discussion activities.
Module/Topic
Critical Reflection in Leadership
Chapter
Visit the study module on the unit Moodle site for the weekly recorded lecture, content, readings, and learning activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
LIVE SESSIONS ONLINE
Virtual Classroom
Tuesday 12th May 2026
415 – 515pm (AEST)
Live Zoom Tutorial
Monday 11th May 2026
1230 – 200pm (AEST)
In this tutorial, we will consolidate learning from Week 9 through applied discussion and case examples to strengthen conceptual understanding and critical analysis.
To get the most out of the tutorial, please review the Week 9 content beforehand, as we will apply the concepts in the discussion activities.
Assessment 3 Overview
Monday 11th May 2026
1230-130pm (AEST)
This will be recorded.
Assessment
- Case studies will be released in the Assessment Block for Assessment 3 by COB on Monday 11th May 2026.
- Select a case study to address for your assessment task.
GROUP POWERPOINT PRESENTATION AND RECORDING Due: Week 9 Wednesday (13 May 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Evidence Informed Leadership
Chapter
Visit the study module on the unit Moodle site for the weekly recorded lecture, content, readings, and learning activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
LIVE SESSIONS ONLINE
Virtual Classroom
Tuesday 19th May
415 – 515pm (AEST)
Live Zoom Tutorial
Monday 18th May
1230 – 200pm (AEST)
In this tutorial, we will consolidate learning from Week 10 through applied discussion and case examples to strengthen conceptual understanding and critical analysis.
To get the most out of the tutorial, please review the Week 10 content beforehand, as we will apply the concepts in the discussion activities.
Assessment
Have you:
- Selected a case study?
- Commenced the research for the assessment?
Module/Topic
Working with People with a Lived Experience, Families, & Carers, in Case Management.
Chapter
Visit the study module on the unit Moodle site for the weekly recorded lecture, content, readings, and learning activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
LIVE SESSIONS ONLINE
Virtual Classroom
Tuesday 26th May
415 – 515pm (AEST)
Live Zoom Tutorial
Monday 25th May
1230 – 200pm (AEST)
In this tutorial, we will consolidate learning from Week 11 through applied discussion and case examples to strengthen conceptual understanding and critical analysis.
To get the most out of the tutorial, please review the Week 11 content beforehand, as we will apply the concepts in the discussion activities.
STUDENT SURVEY
We encourage you to provide feedback about your unit and teaching experiences in this unit.
The survey opens in Week 11 and closes a week before grades are released.
Module/Topic
Supervision and Ongoing Professional Development
Chapter
Visit the study module on the unit Moodle site for the weekly recorded lecture, content, readings, and learning activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
LIVE SESSIONS ONLINE
Virtual Classroom
Tuesday 2nd June
415 – 515pm (AEST)
Live Zoom Tutorial
Monday 1st June 2026
1230 – 200pm (AEST)
In this tutorial, we will consolidate learning from Week 10 through applied discussion and case examples to strengthen conceptual understanding and critical analysis.
To get the most out of the tutorial, please review the Week 12 content beforehand, as we will apply the concepts in the discussion activities.
STUDENT SURVEY
We encourage you to provide feedback about your unit and teaching experiences in this unit.
The survey closes a week before the release of grades.
END OF TERM
• Congratulations on completing this unit and for your hard work!
• Don’t forget to check your unit enrolments for next term.
Written Assessment Due: Week 12 Wednesday (3 June 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
As this unit is offered online, students are asked to prepare their own individual study plan to undertake self-led and self-directed study throughout the term. A key to your success is a strategic self-directed approach to learning and regular contact with your Unit Coordinator/s. Please check the Announcements and Discussion forums at least twice a week – there will be regular announcements about assessments and unit resources throughout the term and reviewing this information is essential to unit knowledge and your success. CQUniversity communicates with students through CQUniversity email. We recommend that you access your CQUniversity email at least twice a week so that you do not miss vital information about your studies.
1 Group Discussion
Aim
The aim of this assessment is for you to demonstrate your understanding of social work leadership through the delivery of an engaging podcast.
Instructions
Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the Moodle site.
Academic Integrity
- You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure).
- Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time.
The use of any generative artificial intelligence is not permitted as per Level 1 (No AI) in the AI Assessment scale tool indicators. You must complete the declaration of Gen AI use on the title page of your assessment.
Extensions
- Available as per the extension policy. The extension includes all students in group-work assessment tasks.
- The 72-hour grace period may apply to this assessment.
Week 6 Wednesday (15 Apr 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Submit your OneDrive or GoogleDrive link on your cover sheet via the Assessment 1 submission portal on the Moodle site. Please submit your assessment individually.
Week 8 Wednesday (6 May 2026)
Students will be advised of release of assessment marking via an announcement posted to the Announcement's Board on the Unit Moodle site. Please note, the 'Return to Students Information’ is an approximate date
Please refer to the marking rubric on Moodle in the Assessment Tile.
- Critically evaluate contemporary approaches to management within organisations where social work is practised including the trends and theories influencing these approaches
- Propose a management plan appropriate to social work practice contexts that promotes the integration of social work values and ethics and collaborative leadership, including leadership approaches suitable for Indigenous and cross cultural contexts.
- Critically reflect on leadership qualities and skills and articulate insights gained for future social work practice.
2 Group Work
Aim
The aim of this assessment is for you to demonstrate your skills in analysing and presenting academic content about managerial concepts which is informed by evidence and ethics.
Instructions
Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the Moodle site.
Academic Integrity
- You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure).
- Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time.
The use of any generative artificial intelligence is not permitted as per Level 1 (No AI) in the AI Assessment scale tool indicators. You must complete the declaration of Gen AI use on the title page of your assessment.
Extensions
- Available as per policy. The extension includes all students in group-work assessment tasks.
- The 72-hour grace period may apply to this assessment.
Week 9 Wednesday (13 May 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
You will submit 2 assessments which include the recording of the presentation. Include your OneDrive or GoogleDrive Link on a cover sheet and submit via the Assessment 2 portal on Moodle. Submit your PowerPoint presentation via the Assessment 2 portal on Moodle. Please submit individual assessments.
Week 11 Friday (29 May 2026)
Students will be advised of release of assessment marking via an announcement posted to the Announcement's Board on the Unit Moodle site. Please note, the 'Return to Students Information’ is an approximate date
Please refer to the marking rubric on the Moodle site for more details on how marks will be assigned.
- Critically reflect on leadership qualities and skills and articulate insights gained for future social work practice.
3 Written Assessment
Aim
The aim of this assessment is for you to apply your knowledge of managerialism and leadership approaches to a contemporary human services case study. You will analyse how managerialism, governance, and marketisation shape practice, identify ethical challenges, and propose leadership-informed responses grounded in social work values.
Instructions
Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the Moodle site.
Academic Integrity
- You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure).
- Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time.
The use of any generative artificial intelligence is not permitted as per Level 1 (No AI) in the AI Assessment scale tool indicators. You must complete the declaration of Gen AI use on the title page of your assessment.
Extensions
- Available as per policy.
- The 72-hour grace period may apply to this assessment
Week 12 Wednesday (3 June 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Submit your assessment in Microsoft format only in the Moodle Assessment 3 Portal.
Vacation/Exam Week Wednesday (17 June 2026)
Students will be advised of release of assessment marking via an announcement posted to the Announcement's Board on the Unit Moodle site. Please note, the 'Return to Students Information’ is an approximate date
Please refer to marking rubric on the Moodle site for more details on how marks will be assigned.
- Critically evaluate contemporary approaches to management within organisations where social work is practised including the trends and theories influencing these approaches
- Propose a management plan appropriate to social work practice contexts that promotes the integration of social work values and ethics and collaborative leadership, including leadership approaches suitable for Indigenous and cross cultural contexts.
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?
