HCS526 Social Work Field Education 2 (16)

This is the second of two field education subjects in the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying). Students have the opportunity to demonstrate professional practice skills, knowledge and values and develop their social work identity in a different practice setting and field of practice from their first placement, under the supervision of a qualified social worker. Students are required to demonstrate entry level standards of professional practice according to Social Work Practice Standards and Code of Ethics, as well as requirements for field education in the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards.

Availability

Year-long Period 1 (31)
Online
Wagga Wagga Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: HCS526. Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

SY/US

Duration

One session

School

School of Social Work and Arts

Enrolment Restrictions

This subject is only available to students enrolled in the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying).

This subject is not available to students who have completed HCS506.
 

Prerequisites

HCS501 and HCS502 and ( HCS505 or HCS525 ) or HCS507 and HCS508 and ( HCS505 or HCS525 )

Subject Relationships

HCS524 Incompatible subject
HCS506 Shares similar content
SWK424 Incompatible subject

Incompatible Subjects

HCS506, HCS524, SWK424

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to demonstrate the achievement of entry level standards of professional practice as outlined in the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) Social Work Practice Standards, Code of Ethics, as well as requirements for Field Education in the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards;
  • be able to engage with the standards, focusing on the assessment, intervention and evaluation stages of social work practice;
  • be able to formulate, define and evaluate individual learning objectives and performance measures drawn from the AASW practice standards in consultation with field educators and academics;
  • be able to demonstrate investigation, analysis and synthesis of complex information, problems, concepts and theories that apply to the placement context;
  • be able to independently research, design and implement professional methods of assessment, intervention and evaluation, demonstrating practice skills (including integration of theory into practice) and professional judgment;
  • be able to critically reflect on their own practice, values and knowledge of social work, and to identify strengths and areas for future development, consistent with a commitment to lifelong learning;
  • be able to interpret ethical issues in the placement context and apply ethical professional practice standards according to the AASW Code of Ethics to their own and others' practice;
  • be able to demonstrate and monitor sensitive communication practices (written, oral) that are appropriate to the professional context;
  • be able to identify, synthesise and apply culturally sensitive practices to their professional placement; and
  • be able to engage in the learning experience. This includes: a constructive supervision relationship with their field educator, ability to give and receive constructive feedback, and awareness of their own learning style.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • Students undertake a structured, individualised syllabus of experiential learning in an approved real world work site under the supervision of a qualified social worker with a minimum of two years practice experience.
  • Students must complete approximately 500 hours, being the balance required from Field Education 1 to meet the required 1,000 hours of total supervised field education experience.
  • The individualised syllabus is based on the Social Work Practice Standards and Code of Ethics, as well as requirements for field education in the Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards.
  • Utilising principles of adult learning and theories of professional supervision, the design, implementation and assessment of the learning experience and student performance are undertaken collaboratively by the student, field educator and university staff.
  • Students who completed the Placement Strand of the first field education subject choose the alternate focus from their first placement - either a direct or indirect focus.
  • Students who completed the Professional Practice Assessment (PPA) strand of the first field education subject must undertake a placement with a direct focus.

Workplace Learning

This subject contains a 72 days Compulsory Workplace Learning component.

In this subject, workplace learning is undertaken across a year-long single session for 16 credit points. Students complete approximately 500 hours of experiential learning/professional practice under the supervision of an experienced, qualified social worker in a real workplace. Learning and assessment are undertaken through a collaborative partnership articulated in an individualised learning plan.

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: June 2022. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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