UWA Handbook 2024

Unit Overview

Description

The final placement serves three purposes. It provides students with an opportunity to build on and extend the professional knowledge and skills acquired on the first placement and to apply and 'test out' subsequent theoretical and reflective learning in the University, thus allowing for the application of learning. It also provides a longer period for agency based learning, thus facilitating greater depth for learning. Finally, it offers students a contrasting practice setting, allowing them to transfer their learning across client populations, problem circumstances and organisational environments. This process facilitates the development of professional identity based on an understanding of the 'universals' of practice. The placement is for 550 hours full-time and includes compulsory attendance at the orientation day, integration days and consolidation. A critical reflection and Learning Development Agreement are completed by each student on placement.

Credit

18 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Non-standard teaching period	UWA (Perth), human services agencies in Perth	Face to face

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) apply social work knowledge and values across different fields of practice in order to address inequalities; (2) analyse the application of critical reflective skills and ethical decision making in social work practice; (3) apply appropriate social work theories and change strategies within different organisational and policy contexts; (4) analyse social, political, economic, historical, cultural and ecological systems and their impact on social inequality, vulnerability and trauma; (5) demonstrate the ability to undertake a range of assessments and interventions; (6) demonstrate the ability to utilise research findings to inform practice and social policy; (7) demonstrate competent interpersonal, advocacy and written communications skills with a diverse range of people and groups in a range of applications; (8) demonstrate the understanding and application of cultural knowledge sensitivity practice; and (9) critique own learning needs and engage in critical reflection of practice.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) placement appraisal; (2) written assignment; and (3) professional behaviour assessment. Further information is available in the unit outline.

To pass this unit, a student must: (a) achieve an overall mark of 50 per cent or higher for the unit; and (b) achieve the requisite requirements(s) or a mark of 50 per cent or greater, whichever is higher and specified in the unit outline, for the placement appraisal and professional behaviour assessment components.

This unit is assessed on an ungraded pass/ungraded failed basis. All assessment items must be successfully completed.

Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Danielle Kovac

Unit rules

Prerequisites

SWSP5301 Foundations of Social Work Thinking and Identity (ID 4021)
, SWSP5630 Social Work Methods 1: Introduction to Psychosocial Theory (ID 4036)
, SWSP5306 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledges and Practices for Social Work (ID 4022)
, SWSP5309 Field Education 1: First Placement (ID 4023)
, SWSP5631 Social Work Methods 2: Theory for Practice - Working with People (ID 4037)
and SWSP5633 Social Work Methods 3: Evidence Based Practice-Counselling (ID 4039)

Incidental fees

Incidental student fees and charges are costs incurred by students as part of their studies at UWA that are in addition to their tuition fees (further information is available here).
Participation in this unit will incur the following incidental fee(s):
(1) Department of Education Criminal Clearance (estimated cost - $35)
(2) Optional rural placement travel costs (estimated cost - $35).

Contact hours

550 hours

Note

This unit does not fall into the standard University semesters and thus has non-standard withdrawal and census deadlines. Contact Student Administration for more information. Students are required to travel as part of their field placement. This placement is 550 hours full time.