SWM5115 Foundations for social work practice 1
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
SWM5115 Foundations for social work practice 1 is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, offered in 2021 in Semester 1 at Caulfield. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 1 unit, leading on to 3 units in all.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2021
- Semester 1
- Caulfield
- Assessment
- Exam 40%
- and 3 other tasks
This is the 2021 handbook entry. See the 2025 entry.
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Requisites
Before SWM5115
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After SWM5115
1 unit list SWM5115 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Enrolment rules
Prerequisites: Must be enrolment in PG course
Prohibitions: SWM5102
Overview
This unit is designed to equip you with the foundation knowledge and skills for effective social work practice. It establishes the baseline capabilities critical for optimal performance in your first field work placement.
The focus of this unit is on the application of the micro skills known to be common to effective client engagement and therapeutic change. Mastery of beginner level practice competency is built from an understanding of the self and developing a non -judgemental lens to conceptualise and frame client problems. From this position you will learn how to connect with a broad range of service users with a focus on individuals and families. You will develop the building blocks of a therapeutic alliance that reinforces and reflects collaborative decision making, deep listening, open questioning and reflection in client interactions. Identifying client strengths and seeking feedback will complement this client centred practice toolkit. This unit privileges the ‘doing’ of social work practice through undertaking role plays, case studies and structured simulations in small classes as the platform of learning.
Offerings in 2021
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Caulfield | On campus |
| First semester | Caulfield | Block off |
Assessment
- Weekly in-class reflection logs - reflection on self and social work values (1,000 words)15%
- Case study analysis and reflection (iSAP) - Preliminary report (1,500 words)30%
- Multi station micro skills examinationCompetency hurdle40%
- Essay - critical reflection on communication skills (1,000 words)15%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Implement a person-centred, non-judgemental approach to direct practice social work with individuals and families
- 2
Develop a therapeutic alliance with clients in direct practice from the beginning phases of engagement.
- 3
Demonstrate competence in the application of the micro skills common to effective social work practice across a range of diverse service contexts and fields of practice
- 4
Articulate and justify the adoption of explanatory theories, practice tools or therapeutic framework applied to case conceptualisations across contexts
- 5
Critically analyse personal values, experiences and assumptions that align with or diverge from the Australian Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.
- 6
Demonstrate an awareness of ‘self’ as a practitioner and its potential impact on the professional helping relationship
Workload and teaching
- Workshops2 hours
- Lectures12 hours
- Tutorials30 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
This unit uses a blended learning approach comprising 4 hours of teacher engaged classes and activities and two hours of teacher directed learning. This includes weekly online learning activities that must be completed prior to the seminars, tutorials, structured simulations and further post class, activities. These are compulsory for all students. In addition, it is expected that students will engage in up to 6 hours per week of self- directed learning activities including preparation for assessments and simulations/ including the multi-station micro-skills examination.
Off-campus students will be provided with the equivalent of the above activities each week. These will be delivered online and enhanced by attendance at a 3 day residential workshop for the purpose of skills enhancement and assessment. Teacher engaged activity is expected to be the same as that provided to On -Campus students over the course of the semester. Off – campus students should expect to commit an average of 12 hours of work each week comprised of teacher engaged, teacher directed and self-directed study over the semester
For full details of the teaching approach to this unit, please refer to Moodle.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Ms Maura Bevilacqua
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Marcelo Maghidman
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for SWM5115?
SWM5115 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
What can I take after SWM5115?
SWM5115 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 1 unit, including SWM5103. Those lead on to 3 units in all.
When is SWM5115 offered?
In 2021, SWM5115 runs in Semester 1 at Caulfield.
Does SWM5115 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 40% of the final mark, alongside 3 other tasks.