Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
This unit explores the interface between social work practice and human service organisations, with a particular focus on the social work – law nexus. Students gain the knowledge and practical skills required to critically engage within human service organisations as emerging social workers. In addition to formal lectures, this learning is facilitated by guest lecturers with field expertise and case studies that examine and critique organisational operations, structures, and mandates, within contemporary socio-political and legal contexts. Students are introduced to resources that will inform their professional practice, which can assist them to work effectively with legal professionals to provide integrated and responsive service supports.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode Not available in 2025 Online Online timetabled - Details for undergraduate courses
- Level 4 core unit in the Social Work major sequence
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) analyse the policy, social and legal influences on human service organisational operations and their effect on different client groups (the people social workers support); (2) critically evaluate various organisational structures (i.e., non-government organisations and government organisations (statutory and non-statutory); (3) critically engage with organisational cultural environments as developing practitioners within multidisciplinary settings, including management, supervision, and leadership in human service organisations; (4) discuss the skills, values and knowledge required for effective practice in human service organisations; (5) create alternatives and justice-orientated organisational practice models; and (6) develop a professional practice framework taking into account key academic and workplace professional behaviour and practice principles.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) case study – placement organisation; (2) devise and present on an organisational practice model for justice-oriented social work; 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 professional behaviour assessment component.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit rules
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.