Unit Outline

In this unit, you will be introduced to the diverse fields in which social work practice takes place. The unit aims to extend common understandings of social work practice by showcasing new and innovative approaches to practice at micro, meso, and macro levels. Using a critical perspective, you will explore each field of practice (group or community) and the context in which it is situated. You will also learn how workers can contribute to decolonising and Indigenising agendas within different organisational settings. As an emerging human services or social worker, this unit encourages you to situate yourself within the sector as you begin to develop your professional identity. If you are someone interested in pursuing a career in social work or learning about what social workers do, this unit offers an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding and firsthand experience of the work.

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	Explore community and social work with particular groups and communities and the services within which this work takes place.
2	Describe the diversity of ways of working within the social work profession
3	Identify and analyse values and beliefs that underpin decolonising and Indigenising agendas in community and social work and social work practice.
4	Communicate the foundations of a professional social work identity

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	HGW112

Alterations as a result of student feedback

In response to the feedback from previous student cohort, changes have been made which may include adjustments to assessments and alignment of some of the timelines. As always, the teaching team will greatly appreciate your feedback both informally during the delivery of the unit in 2026, and formally through the University of Tasmania’s Unit Survey following your completion of the unit.

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:	Video presentation	Week 4	20 %	LO1, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Research a social work service	Week 8	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Reflection	Week 12	40 %	LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Video presentation

Task Description:

You will be given a prescribed reading on a current social issue. You are asked to create a 10-minute video presentation discussing the impacts on the particular group or community from a social work perspective.

Task Length:

10-minute video recording

Due Date:

Week 4

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Drawing on your emerging social work knowledge, provide an account of the current social issue and the group or community impacted.	LO1
2	Reflect on how your own beliefs and values in relation to this issue align with or differ from the Australian Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics 2020	LO3
3	Communicate in accordance with professional standards	LO4

Assessment Task 2: Research a social work service

Task Description:

You will undertake desktop research into a current service within a social work field of practice for example, a service working with children, young people and families, refugees and asylum seekers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with a disability etc.

You will examine micro, meso and macro levels of practice within the service and provide examples for how the service privileges or otherwise, decolonising and Indigenising agendas.

Task Length:

1,000 words

Due Date:

Week 8

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Describe the work undertaken by the service.	LO1
2	Examine the micro, meso and macro environments of practice within a social work service.	LO2
3	Identify examples of how social workers can apply decolonising and Indigenising practices.	LO3

Assessment Task 3: Reflection

Task Description:

Reflecting on what you have learnt in this unit about fields of social work practice you will create a piece of work that contains 4 photographs you have taken, which collectively represent your developing social work identity. These can be personal in nature. You will then write a 1500 word critical reflection (utilising the literature) on your developing social work identity.

Task Length:

4 photographs and a 1500 word essay.

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Communicate your developing social work identity through photographs and critical reflection.	LO4
2	Utilising scholarly literature articulate how your understanding of yourself as an emerging practitioner has developed over the course of the semester.	LO2
3	Utilising scholarly literature reflect on how you could contribute to decolonising and Indigenising agendas as a social worker.	LO3

How your final result is determined

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

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

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.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

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.