Undergraduate - Course4504 - Bachelor of Social Welfare

The Bachelor of Social Welfare is a coursework degree with theoretical, skill development and supervised professional practice units. The course includes opportunities for group-based learning, community engagement, practice research and integration of social welfare theory and practice and students will specialise in either child welfare or aged care during their final year of study. Social welfare skills components and professional practica introduce students to contemporary social welfare practice. The areas covered in the curriculum meet Australian Community Workers Association (AIWCW) accreditation requirements, including 400 hours of supervised professional practice. Graduates will be able to practice as professional social welfare workers in a range of human service fields.

On completion of the course, graduates will be able to:

• Enact the principles of social justice and human rights in their professional social welfare careers
• Seek leadership roles in the social welfare and human services sector
• Engage sensitively and confidently with individuals, groups and communities in local, national and international social welfare contexts
• Analyse ethical issues in practice
• Employ outstanding interpersonal skills for effective engagement and social action
• Practice in a way that respects diversity, especially when working with Indigenous Australians
• Critically analyse aspects of society, especially the impact of social, political and economic arrangements on individual and community wellbeing
• Incorporate knowledge of the social welfare system, the law and concepts of power and oppression into social welfare practice
• Apply sophisticated knowledge of individual development, and the impact of key life events on individual wellbeing, in social welfare practice
• Demonstrate competence in the theory and practice of social welfare assessment, intervention and evaluation with individuals, families, groups, communities and organisations, and in research and social policy analysis
• Execute practice decisions based on research and evidence
• Reflect critically on their practice

In accordance with the both University and Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences policies, credit will be granted for prior learning where it is assessed as equivalent to Monash University study. This applies to both credit transfer towards the degree based on a previously attended course within another Australian university, TAFE or VET course or equivalent.

The Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences allows credit for studies undertaken at another institution that is assessed as being equivalent to the units studied in the specific course. Credit may be given for all units for which equivalence of learning is established within the limits of at least 48 credit points in the course or not less than half the course, whichever is less.

Recognition of prior learning will be considered through an assessment process whereby the individual applicant can demonstrate that previous formal and informal learning has helped to achieve learning outcomes, competency outcomes or standards for entry into and/or partial completion of the proposed degree of study.

Police Checks

All students undertaking a placement at Monash are required to undertake a National Police Check before commencing. An original of these documents must be provided to the Fieldwork co-ordinator prior to placement commencing. A Police Check Verification form must also be completed. Should a student be found to have a police record, the fieldwork team may discuss the matter with potential supervisors if necessary. Students incur the cost of the National Police Check.

Working With Children Check (WWCC)

The Victorian Department of Justice policy is that all students undertaking a clinical placement, that involves working with children, must obtain a Working with Children Check (WWCC). It is the student's responsibility to obtain this check prior to undertaking the placement. Thus, where such a placement forms part of the course requirements, the faculty requires all students to have a WWCC. The original WWCC ID Card must be sighted by the Fieldwork Coordinator once issued and a Verification form completed.

Not all States have legislated with regard to the WWCC, and for those that have, not all offer the service to students. So, for students undertaking interstate placements, the requirement for obtaining a WWCC varies according to that State's laws and regulations.

It is the responsibility of students to meet costs associated with these requirements., It is also the responsibility of students to meet all costs associated with their fieldwork placements such as travelling to/from the placement and arranging leave from their normal place or work (where appropriate). Students are not paid for duties undertaken during the course of placement.

This course requires students to undertake two separate clinical placements totalling 400 hours.

Pending accreditation with the Australian Community Workers Association Inc (ACWA)

Year 1

Semester 1

• ATS1840 Psychology and You
• HSC1081 Foundations of public health
• SWK1011 Introduction to human services practice
• ATS1369 Understanding university learning

Semester 2

• ATS1359 Exploring human behaviour: An introduction to psychology
• HSC1052 Health and social care systems
• ATS1251 Introduction to indigenous Australian studies
• ATS1370 Knowledge and context

Year 2

Semester 1

• SWK2100 Social welfare practice with individuals
• SWK2110 Social welfare and the law
• SWK2120 Introduction to child welfare and aged care
• SWK2130 Social welfare and society

Semester 2

• SWK2140 Social welfare and practice with communities
• SWK2150 Social welfare and policy
• SWK2160 Social welfare direct practice and skills 1

Year 3

Semester 1

• SWK3330 Social welfare and practice with families and groups
• SWK3310 Social welfare practice and research
• SWK3320 Protection from child abuse

OR

• SWK3340 Protection from elder abuse
• SWK3330 Advanced child welfare practice

OR

• SWK3350 Advanced aged care practice

Semester 2

• SWK3360 Social welfare direct practice and skills 2
• SWK3370 Social welfare and management
• SWK3380 Global issues in child welfare

OR

• SWK3390 Global issues in aged care

• Social work

Bachelor of Social Welfare