196-008 Supervised Professional Practice 1#

Students will enrol in this subject from Semester 1. However, the major placement for this subject is normally undertaken partially during the mid-semester period and in Semester 2.

196-007 Communication Skills for Human Services and 196-200 Social Work Theory & Practice 1.

This subject requires students to spend 74 days or equivalent working in a social work agency where social work is practised under the supervision of a qualified and experienced social work field educator. The subject is divided into two parts: a four-day field preparation program and a 70-day supervised professional practicum. Students with relevant work experience may apply for exemption from the four-day field preparation program. On completion of this subject students should be able to demonstrate developing knowledge and skills of effective social work practice.

• be able to critically analyse the practice of themselves and others;

• be able to understand social, organisational, cultural and ethical contexts of practice;

• be able to competently communicate in speech and writing in ways relevant to practice contexts;

• be able to work effectively with colleagues;

• be able to link theory to practice.

This subject is assessed on a pass/fail basis. Assessment is in the form of two reports in the format prescribed by the School of Social Work, one at mid-practicum and one at the end of practicum. A pass on the final report is necessary to pass the subject as a whole. The reports are written by the field educator in consultation with the student, and they detail evidence of the student's practice learning against standard criteria for the subject. The evidence is examined by the academic practice supervisor, who may also seek confirmation of this material through discussion at field liaison visits.

Subject readings will be available from the school.