Unit Outline
HGW627
The Social Work Praxis Lab
Semester 1, 2026
Sarah Wynwood
Social Work Program
Health (Portfolio)
CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B
Unit Coordinator
Sarah Wynwood
Email: s.wynwood@utas.edu.au
 
What is the Unit About?
Unit Description
This unit provides an immersive learning experience aimed at preparing students to navigate the complexities of contemporary social work practice in mental health and child safety. Students will engage with a multifaceted simulation, using face-to-face and online modalities to respond effectively to client needs. 
Through applied, experience-based learning, students apply social work theories, frameworks, and evidence-based intervention strategies in ethically challenging scenarios. Emphasising interprofessional collaboration, the unit equips students with the skills needed to engage effectively across diverse agencies. These experiences foster competencies in assessment, intervention, and critical reflection, preparing students for advanced professional practice in complex settings. 
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
Critically analyse historical and contemporary conceptions of, and approaches to, mental health and the care and protection of children, underpinned by a thorough integration of theory and research evidence.
2
Examine the role of social work in supporting people with mental health conditions and ensuring the care and protection of children, evaluating its intersections with other professions to facilitate integrated service provision.
3
Critically reflect on personal values, assumptions, and beliefs in response to complex practice scenarios, interprofessional practice, and course content.
4
Apply national and state legislation relevant to working with people with mental health conditions and the care and protection of children, demonstrating a deep understanding of legal responsibilities in diverse social work practice settings.
5
Demonstrate advanced social work skills, knowledge, and ethical principles in case work, community practice, and interprofessional collaboration, including in online environments, applying these competencies to complex practice scenarios.
Requisites
REQUISITE TYPE
REQUISITES
Pre-requisite
HGW512, HGW513, HGW516, HGW527
Alterations as a result of student feedback
The Social Work Praxis Lab is a new unit, delivered for the first time in 2026. It was developed in response to feedback from students, employers, the AASW, and other key stakeholders, recognising the increasingly complex situations in which social workers practise. Students expressed a desire for more skills‑based learning, and this unit has been designed to strengthen decision‑making and assessment capabilities when working in high‑risk contexts where safety is a concern.
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.
 
 
Teaching arrangements
ATTENDANCE MODE
TEACHING TYPE
LEARNING ACTIVITY
CONTACT HOURS
FREQUENCY
On Campus
Independent Learning
2hr Online learning activities and readings weekly
2
Weekly
Tutorial
2hr Face-to-face Praxis labs weekly
2
Weekly
Attendance / engagement expectations
If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online or includes online activities, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline or MyLO, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.
 
There is an 80% attendance requirement for tutorials in this unit to ensure you meet accreditation requirements.
 
 
 
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:
Social work formulation
Week 5
30 %
LO1, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 2:
Case Communication
Week 9
30 %
LO1, LO2, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 3:
Case report and reflexive practice analysis
Week 12
40 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
 
Assessment details
Assessment Task 1: Social work formulation
Task Description:
This task aims to develop your skills in formulating client-centered social work assessments that consider multiple dimensions of human experience. You will use a structured documentation tool as a guide to develop an initial social work formulation for your client. The framework will help you to conceptualise the client’s issues across biological, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual domains. Adopting a holistic perspective, you will demonstrate an understanding of how these elements are interconnected and how they collectively shape the client’s situation.
Task Length:
1500 words
Due Date:
Week 5
Weight:
30 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Sophisticated application of the structured documentation tool to assess and integrate the biological, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual domains relevant to the client’s experience (40%)
LO4, LO5
2
Critical analysis of the interconnections between various factors, demonstrating an advanced understanding of how they collectively influence the client’s situation and trajectory (30%)
LO1, LO4
3
Effective identification of knowledge gaps, demonstrating advanced reflective thinking on the implications of these gaps for further exploration or intervention (30%)
LO1, LO4, LO5
 
Assessment Task 2: Case Communication
Task Description:
For this assessment, you are required to record a verbal case communication, providing an update on your client’s situation to another professional involved in their care or support. Using a structured communication tool as a guide, your recording should include key details about your role, the client's current situation and presenting issues. Additionally, you should outline your assessment of the situation and recommend appropriate next steps, ensuring your communication is client centered. The assessment will be evaluated based on your ability to clearly convey case information, communicate effectively with professionals from other fields, and apply social work principles while addressing ethical and legal considerations.
Task Length:
10 minutes
Due Date:
Week 9
Weight:
30 %
 
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Clear and structured application of the communication tool, effectively conveying relevant case information with a critical understanding of the context and audience (40%)
LO1, LO5
2
Prioritisation of the client’s needs and preferences with a focus on social work principles (30%)
LO2, LO5
3
Effective interprofessional collaboration showcasing a nuanced understanding of professional roles and dynamics, with adherence to ethical practice standards and legal responsibilities (30%)
LO2, LO4
 
Assessment Task 3: Case report and reflexive practice analysis
Task Description:
This assessment consists of two parts: Part A and Part B.



In Part A, you will develop a detailed case report that demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of your client’s situation, drawing on relevant theories and research evidence. You will analyse the multilevel factors affecting the client and examine your role in supporting the client to navigate the systems they interact with. Additionally, you will identify ethical challenges and apply social work ethical standards to address these. Throughout the report, you will demonstrate a commitment to culturally responsive practice, considering how cultural factors, diversity, and social context influence the client and inform your practice.



Part B emphasises reflexive practice, requiring you to critically reflect on your personal reactions to the case and how they evolved over time. You will examine the emotional and cognitive shifts you experienced throughout your engagement with the case, exploring their impact on your professional practice. This section will highlight key insights gained, the role of research and theory in shaping your approach, and lessons learned for future social work practice. Through this reflexive analysis, you will demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development and self-awareness.
Task Length:
Case report 2,000 words Reflexive analysis 500 words
Due Date:
Week 12
Weight:
40 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Demonstrates an advanced understanding of the client’s situation, critically applying relevant theories and research to inform analysis and interventions, with attention to the complexities of the case (40%)
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
2
Identifies and critically engages with ethical challenges, applying social work ethical standards in a sophisticated manner, while demonstrating culturally responsive practice (30%)
LO2, LO4, LO5
3
Critically reflects on personal reactions, professional growth, and key insights, demonstrating a high level of self-awareness and commitment to ongoing professional development (30%)
LO2, LO5
 
 
 
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.
 
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.
 
 
 
Required Resources
Required reading materials
All required readings are available via the units Reading List. The Reading List has been structured into weekly sections for ease of use.
You will need regular access to the following texts:
Taylor, B. J., Keddell, E., Graham, J. C., & Fluke, J. D. (Eds), 2023, The SAGE Handbook of Decision Making, Assessment and Risk in Social Work, SAGE Publications, Great Britain.
Alston, M., Hazeleger,T., Hargreaves, D., 2019, Social Work and Disasters: A Handbook for Practice, Routledge, London.
The Library has copies of ebooks for you to access. Links to all required reading sections appear in the Reading List. 
 
Recommended reading materials
All recommended readings will be available via the units Reading List 
 
Other required resources
You will need to bring a suitable device – such as a laptop, mobile phone or a table – to class to access weekly learning materials in the Praxis Labs. You will need a suitable device to do an audiovisual recording of a case communication. Suitable devices could include a digital video camera, a computer with a webcam and microphone, a mobile phone, or a tablet.