Unit Outline

This unit explores what it means to initiate responses to social problems, take responsibility for enacting and leading these responses, and being a part of ventures that do the same. Collaborative and collective social work leadership approaches are taught to equip you with knowledge and skills to leverage solidarity, cooperation, and consensus to address injustices. The unit builds on these ideas by exploring social entrepreneurship and innovation in social work. You will be taught a range of practical skills to support sustainable and creative collaborative and participative change projects. You can expect to engage in processes of self and collective critical reflection, group work, and dialogical learning.

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	Examine personal enablers and barriers to working collaboratively and cooperatively with a variety of social work stakeholders.
2	Evaluate collaborative relationships and leadership approaches for improving social work client outcomes and achieving sustainable social change.
3	Investigate innovative approaches to addressing social issues within social work contexts.
4	Appraise conventional Western-centric social work practices using theoretical, culturally relevant, and social work knowledges.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

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. Improvements have been made to this unit in response to student feedback and formal university course review. In 2026, this unit changed from a fourth-year unit to a third year-unit and has undergone major redevelopment and formal approval.

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:	Reflective Analysis of Collaborative Leadership in Social Work	Week 4	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Group class presentation and individual written reflection	Week 8	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Information brochure	Week 12	40 %	LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Reflective Analysis of Collaborative Leadership in Social Work

Task Description:

Write a reflective piece exploring your personal experiences, values, and assumptions about collaborative leadership in social work. Discuss your leadership style, its relevance to collaborative practice, and how theoretical, cultural, and social work knowledge inform your understanding.

Task Length:

1200 words

Due Date:

Week 4

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Critically reflect on your own personal enablers and barriers to working collaboratively and cooperatively with others	LO1
2	Evaluate your chosen leadership style and how it enhances your ability to work collaboratively.	LO1, LO2
3	Communicate your ideas in writing with reference to theoretical, culturally relevant, and social work knowledges.	LO4

Assessment Task 2: Group class presentation and individual written reflection

Task Description:

Part A: In groups, students will research and present a case study that represents an innovative, sustainable approach to tackling a social issue, that utilises a decolonising approach to working with people. Presentations should highlight the social work principles, leadership dynamics, and collaborative processes involved. Your presentation will be assessed by your tutor, including effective teamwork, equitable contribution, and respectful collaboration.

Part B: Individually, students will reflect on the group process in relation to collaborative leadership and groupwork theory.

Task Length:

10-minute group presentation (10%) and 1000-word individual written reflection (20%)

Due Date:

Week 8

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Presentation: Examine a case study that represents an example of innovative, sustainable change that utilises a decolonising approach to working with people.	LO1, LO3
2	Presentation: Demonstrate evidence of effective teamwork, equitable contribution, and respectful collaboration reflecting awareness of group processes and leadership dynamics.	LO2
3	Reflection: Critically reflect on personal strengths and challenges in collaborative work	LO1
4	Reflection: Evaluate group processes using relevant theories of collaborative leadership and group dynamics, making direct links to your involvement in the group.	LO2

Assessment Task 3: Information brochure

Task Description:

Design an innovative and sustainable program or project that addresses a selected social issue. Present your initiative through an information brochure intended for potential clients, referring agencies, and organisations who may be future collaborators, demonstrating collaborative leadership, cultural responsiveness, and decolonising practice.

Task Length:

1750 words

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Create an original and innovative initiative to addressing the selected social issue.	LO3
2	Design a brochure that reflects an evaluation of collaborative, cooperative relationships and leadership approaches to addressing the social issue.	LO2
3	Integrate decolonising principles and diverse cultural perspectives to propose a sustainable initiative.	LO4
4	Present a brochure with accessible information for a wide range of social work stakeholders.	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.