Unit Outline

Social Work Practicum 1 is a cornerstone unit in the 1st year of the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) degree. Students are required to undertake at least 14 weeks full-time equivalent (FTE) of placement in a setting that provides the opportunity to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit. A Field Educator is allocated to each student and through supervision (provided by a social worker with a minimum of 2 years full time equivalent post graduation experience in the field) the theory of social work is translated into practice. Students will be required to attend preparation seminars prior to commencing placement.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Implement ethical, inclusive and culturally responsive social work practice skills in an agency setting.
2.	Develop and articulate a foundational critical social work framework for practice within agency settings.
3.	Apply a foundational critical social work framework to inform social work interventions, methods, and techniques within agency settings.
4.	Practice in a manner that conforms to the inherent functional requirements of UTAS social work students and the standards outlined in the AASW Practice Standards 2013 section VI.
5.	Use a foundational social work framework to critically reflect on your own practice within professional supervision.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	HGW503, HGW516, HGW527 and HGW512

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Field Placement	Refer to Assessment Description	100 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Field Placement

Task Description:

1) The Mid-placement assessment of your progress in meeting the learning outcomes of this unit is assessed during a (minimum) 500-hour placement using The Learning Plan and Reporting Document (LePARD). Your LePARD has been designed based on the current Australian Association of Social Workers Practice Standards and the current Australian Association of Social Work Code of Ethics. Documented progress against each learning outcome is completed by/with your Social Work Field Educator/s and your External Social Work Field Educator (social work), if applicable.
A progress report is then submitted. Due week 7.

2) The Final assessment of your progress in meeting the learning outcomes of this unit is assessed during a (minimum) 500-hour placement using The Learning Plan and Reporting Document (LePARD). Your LePARD has been designed based on the current Australian Association of Social Workers Practice Standards and the current Australian Association of Social Work Code of Ethics. Documented progress against each learning outcome is completed by/with your Social Work Field Educator/s and your External Social Work Field Educator (social work), if applicable.
At the conclusion of your placement, a final report submitted. Due week 13.

For part-time students, please see MyLO for due dates.

Task Length:

Progressive assessment during a (minimum) 500 hour placement. Final assessment report at the end of placement. The Learning Plan and Reporting Document (LePARD) guides the assessment process.

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

100 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Describe and demonstrate ethical, inclusive and culturally responsive social work practice skills in an agency setting (see LePARD).	LO1, LO4
2	Describe social work theories and apply theory to practice in an agency setting (see LePARD).	LO2, LO3, LO5
3	Identify and take responsibility for a range of tasks and social work interventions, methods and techniques used within an agency setting (see LePARD).	LO1, LO3, LO4
4	Demonstrate professional attitudes, workplace behaviours and communication skills appropriate to the profession of social work, particularly in complex and challenging situations (see LePARD).	LO1, LO4
5	Critically reflect on your own practice within professional supervision (see LePARD).	LO2, LO5

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment for all Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and complete any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.