Course Title: Social Work Field Education A

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Social Work Field Education A

Credit Points: 24.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

HWSS2220

City Campus

Undergraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2018,
Sem 2 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 2 2020,
Sem 2 2021,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 2 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 2 2023

Course Coordinator: Judy Williams

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 1761

Course Coordinator Email: judy.williams2@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Building 8. Floor 10

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Enforced Pre-Requisite Courses 

Successful completion of 012087 Casework and Advocacy.  

Note: it is a condition of enrolment at RMIT that you accept responsibility for ensuring that you have completed the prerequisite/s and agree to concurrently enrol in co-requisite courses before enrolling in a course. 

For your information go to RMIT Course Requisites webpage. 

Required Concurrent Study 

You should also undertake HWSS2218 Field Education Integrated Learning 1 at the same time as this course as it contains areas of knowledge and skills which are implemented together in practice. 

Alternatively, you may be able to demonstrate the required skills and knowledge before you start this course.  

Contact your course coordinator if you think you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning.   


Course Description

In this course you will undertake a professional placement of 500 hours (approx.70 days). You will be placed in an organisation and be involved in beginning professional social work practice with individuals and/or families and/or small groups. This course is based upon experiential learning in which your knowledge and skills will be applied and assessed in a workplace context and where feedback from industry and/ or community is integral to assessment of your experience.

You will be allocated to a placement by the academic staff. The allocation based on a range of factors, including the information you provide in your Personal Planning Form (PPF) and whether you meet the requirements of the placement provided by the organisation.

Please note that:

  • You must be enrolled in Field Education to participate in the allocation process.
  • The allocation process commences at least 4 months prior to your enrolment in Field Education.
  • Certain preparation tasks must be completed in advance of your enrolment in Field Education for you to be eligible to participate in the allocation process. For example, you must, by the appropriate deadlines:
    • Complete a Police Check and Working With Children Check
    • Complete required online Modules
    • Upload your PPF and a current CV into InPlace


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes:

In this course, you will develop the following program learning outcomes: 

  • Apply a body of interdisciplinary knowledge, research, values, ethical judgement and skills in working with and for society’s most vulnerable and marginalised individuals, families, groups and communities 
  • Demonstrate creativity, critical thinking and practical reasoning when identifying and solving problems in diverse contexts 
  • Work with others in a range of roles and contexts, demonstrating cultural, environmental and social awareness while promoting respectful, ethical and reflective practice 
  • Apply initiative and ethical judgment in planning, problem solving and decision making in your current and continuing professional practice 

  These course learning outcomes and program learning outcomes align with the Australian Association of Social Work’s eight core learning areas. 


Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course you will be able to:  

  1. Apply contextually relevant ethics and standards for social work practice in accordance with the AASW Code of Ethics and Practice Standards in all areas of engagement 
  2. Identify and critically review the organisational, legal and political contexts of human services processes 
  3. Apply and critically reflect on theories and methodologies relevant to social work practice across different contexts 
  4. Form constructive relationships with individuals, groups and communities including user groups, colleagues, professionals and people in other significant roles / positions 


Overview of Learning Activities

Learning activities include the 70 days (500 hours) field placement and the development of a learning plan, mid-placement review and final placement assessment report across the nine learning areas. You will be supported through placement planning and preparation in consultation with the Social Work Field Education Coordinator and other relevant staff.


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems.

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Learning Plan, 25%, CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4 

Assessment Task 2: Mid-placement review, 25%, CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4 

Assessment Task 3: Assessment report, 50%, CLOs1, 2, 3, 4  

Assessments tasks will receive a Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory grading.

Satisfactory performance to AASW Practice Standards Accreditation Requirements beginning capability (AQF7) at a rating of 2 across the following 8 learning areas as stipulated by ASWEAS:

  1. Values and ethics
  2. Professionalism
  3. Culturally responsive and inclusive practice
  4. Knowledge for practice
  5. Applying knowledge to practice
  6. Communication and interpersonal skills
  7. Information recording and sharing
  8. Professional development and supervision

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.