Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Unit

Synopsis

Supervised Professional Practice 2 enables students to operationalise the professional social work role. In doing so, students are expected to be able to conceptualise, articulate and explain the progress they are making in relation to their development of a professional social work identity. Students will learn to assess and analyse social work situations and plan appropriate intervention strategies across a diverse range of social work methods and settings, from direct practice with individuals and groups, community development, program development, agency administration, policy or research.

Theorizing about social problems, critically analyzing interventions and reflecting on how one's 'use of self' impacts on social work relationships are essential components of learning in clinical practice placements. In addition, students are expected to complete a piece of practice research and to develop competencies in line with the AASW's practice standards, while adhering to the AASW Code of Ethics.

The unit comprises 70 days (480 hours) of supervised professional practice in the field and 20 hours of skills development in the classroom and in the field. The successful completion of a total of 1000 hours (clinical placements and skills) in the MSW (Qualifying) will enable graduates to seek social work positions overseas where the completion of 1000 hours of clinical practice placement is often an eligibility requirement.

Objectives

At successful completion of Supervised Professional Practice 2, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of how theory and practice can be integrated in one or more social work settings
2. Demonstrate an ability to practise in accordance with professional social work ethics and familiarity with the AASW Code of Ethics
3. Demonstrate professional social work values, skills and attributes including an understanding of the nature of professional roles and responsibilities
4. Demonstrate an understanding of a range of social work intervention strategies applicable to work with individuals, families and communities
5. Demonstrate an ability to assess and plan appropriate intervention, including evaluation of outcomes, for a range of individual, family and community problems
6. Complete a piece of practice research under supervision
7. Demonstrate an ability to appropriately and effectively utilise professional supervision to explore professional practice and to enhance competence and professional identity
8. Demonstrate a commitment to critical and reflective social work practice
9. Demonstrate an understanding of the complexities of working in an organisational context
10. Demonstrate competence in meeting the AASW practice standards

Assessment

+ A learning agreement completed by the student within 15 days of commencement of the placement
+ A mid-placement review completed by the student and field educator
+ A final evaluation report completed by the student and field educator
+ A written case study
+ A written critical incident report
+ A written research report
+ Grading in this unit is on a Pass/Fail basis only.

Chief examiner(s)

Ms Marija Dragic

Contact hours

For this unit, 70 days (480 hours) will be spent on placement in agencies and organizations. A further 20 hours will be spent at placement briefings or integration sessions, or in private study. Students are required to complete 6 assessment tasks including two joint reports with field educators.

Prerequisites

SWM5100 Social Work: Leading sustainable change
SWM5101 Human Rights, Ethics and Law Contexts for Social Work Practice
SWM5102 Critical Social Work 1: Individuals and Families - context and practice
SWM5103 Supervised professional practice 1
SWM5104 Critical Social Work 2: Frameworks for Practice in Health and Mental Health
SWM5105 Social Work Practice and Research
SWM5106 Critical Social Work 3: Community Engagement Group Project
SWM5107 Social Work Specialist Field Elective

Co-requisites

SWM5109 Critical Social Work 4
SWM5110 Leadership in Social Work and Human Services

Prohibitions

None

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:

http://www.med.monash.edu.au/socialwork/