Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Nursing, Midwifery & Social Wk
This course introduces students to key elements of social work practice across a wide variety of health contexts, including acute, primary and community health and non-government health-related contexts. The course adopts a lifespan approach to identify and discuss the health and practice issues for different population groups, and the personal, geographical, and cultural diversity of population groups. The learning activities in this Foundation course are designed to provide students with knowledge of the socio-political and theoretical contexts which frame social work practice in health, and with skills in basic assessment and intervention and professional communication. To maximise student learning experiences, the Health and Ageing Foundation engages social work practitioners in the design and delivery of workshops.
Welcome to Foundational Social Work Field Practice in Health and Ageing.
The health sector is a the major field of practice for social workers.ﾠTo enable you to practice in the health sector, this course is designed to give you knowledge and skills relevant to a range of settings.ﾠAs such consideration is given in this course to a wide range of practice settings including acute hospital facilities, community health centres, community aged care, and other community-based services.ﾠKnowledge and skills in health applies to case work, advocacy, and policy practice; all focused onﾠthe health and wellbeing of individuals, families, groups and communities.
This course is designed to introduce students to the social determinants and consequences of health concerns, the social and political context of health care, and the core areas of knowledge and expertise for social workers working in a range of health contexts. ﾠ
The course combines a one hour lecture and a two hour tutorial.ﾠBoth the lecture and tutorial incorporate active learning integral to students gaining the knowledge and skills for practice in the health sectors.ﾠAll classes are face-to-face.ﾠﾠ
I am looking forward to working with you this semester.ﾠ I hope you enjoy SWSP3029.ﾠ
Claire Turner.
ASWEAS Required Curriculum Content Areas covered in this course:
The Bachelor of Social Work (Hons) program is accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers.
The Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (2020) stipulates that accredited social work programs are required to include content that addresses the five core curriculum areas listed below. This course contains content in the following curriculum areas:
1. Constructions of social work purpose, place, and practice: YES
2. Power, oppression, and exploitation: YES
3. The history and contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: YES
4. Culture, identity, and discrimination: NO
5. Psychosocial health and wellbeing across the lifecycle: YES
Course requirements
Assumed background
This is an introductory course which introduces students toﾠthe socio-political, organisational andﾠprofessionalﾠelements of social work practiceﾠin a wide range of health settings.ﾠ The course encompasses working with individuals and familiesﾠacross the lifespan, and is the foundation for the 4th year course, Professional Practice in Health and Ageing.ﾠ
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
SWSP3036, SWSP3056
Course contact
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
The aim of the course is to developﾠstudents'ﾠknowledge and skills to enable them to practice social work in a range of health settings.ﾠ The course will giveﾠstudents an understanding of socio-political and theoretical contexts of social work practice in health; legal and ethical considerations of practice; knowledge and skills in grief and loss, transitions associated with health changes, trauma, acute care and elder abuse.ﾠ In addition the course will enable students to acquire skillsﾠin psycho-social assessment and intervention,ﾠand written communication.ﾠ
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Demonstrate an understanding of the socio-political context within which health social work is practiced and the major debates and trends relevant to practice.
LO2.
Demonstrate a critical awareness of the major theoretical and knowledge bases that frame and challenge social work in different health settings and the implications for practice with individuals and families.
LO3.
Demonstrate critical awareness of the diversity of health experiences across the lifespan incorporating gender, identity, class, ethnicity, and geography and the implications for social work practice.
LO4.
Demonstrate competence at a foundational level in psychosocial assessment and intervention skills with individuals and families across a range of practice settings.
LO5.
Demonstrate a competence in professional communication for health social work at a foundation level.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Psychosocial assessment
|
40% |
4/10/2024 1:00 pm |
| Examination |
Exam
|
60% |
End of Semester Exam Period 2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024
The end of semester exam will be held on campus. The exam is a closed book exam. It is permitted to use an unmarked bilingual dictionary in the exam. |
Assessment details
Psychosocial assessment
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
4/10/2024 1:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
This description is only a summary of the task. For full details, including the marking rubric, please refer to the course Learn UQ (Blackboard) site.
Psychosocial assessments are core social work practice and a reflection of competence in relationship and process skills as well as analytic and reasoning skills. A psychosocial assessment is a key mechanism for developing an analysis of the ‘person-in-context’, an appropriate intervention plan, and is effective for communicating the social work role to other health care professionals.
This task involves observing a social work interview during the lecture and tutorial in Week 9 and completing a written psychosocial assessment based on your observation of the interview.
Submission guidelines
This assessment requires students to submit an electronic version of their assignment via Blackboard.
The anti-plagiarism and AI detection software Turnitin is being used at UQ. The electronic version of your assignment will be submitted via Blackboard, using the Turnitin software. Work submitted will be subjected to a plagiarism and AI detection process.
Please refer to ITS help if you experience difficulties in submitting your assessment in Blackboard or using Turnitin.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Extension requests are submitted online via my.UQ. Extension requests received in any other way will not be approved.
Information about applying for an extension can be found on my.UQ.
Extension guidelines
- Extension requests should be submitted prior to the assessment deadline.
- Extension requests must state the due date and the due time of the assessment.
- Requests for extensions received after the assessment item submission due date may not be approved. Late requests must include evidence of the reasons for the late request.
- The extension granted should be in proportion to the period of illness or disruption caused by the exceptional circumstances and will typically be no more than the specified maximum extension length.
- Students on a Student Access Plan (SAP) with a clause on extension requests must still adhere to the extensions request policy outlined. Students need to attach the SAP and a note outlining their current situation with the online extension application. A maximum of 7 days will be granted on the basis of an SAP. An extension request beyond 7 days will require additional supporting information as this request will not be considered on the basis of the SAP, but rather additional events (whether they relate to the circumstances of the SAP or not).
Outcome of application
- Extension requests are generally processed within 2 working days. Students can see the outcome of their application by logging in to my.UQ.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Work submitted more than 7 days after the due date without an approved extension will not receive a mark.
Exam
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 60%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024
The end of semester exam will be held on campus. The exam is a closed book exam. It is permitted to use an unmarked bilingual dictionary in the exam.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Materials | Unmarked bilingual dictionary |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 46 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
Important note: In order to pass SWSP3029 ALL assessment tasks must be submitted.ﾠ Students who do not submit all assessment tasks, regardless of the marks received for work submitted, will not be eligible to pass the course.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Assessment tasks prohibit the use of AI
Theﾠassessment tasks in this course evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
ﾠ
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
1. There are a number of key journals relevant to this course:ﾠ
- Australian Social Work
- British Journal of Social Work
- Health and Social Care in the Community
- Ageing & Society
- Health & Social Work
- Research on Social Work Practice
- Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Social Work
- Australian Journal of Primary Health
- Social Work in Health Care
- Families in Society
ﾠ
2. Useful reputable websites with data and current research on health:ﾠ
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
- Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Productivity Commission
- The Conversation. It is not recommended you use The Conversation as a source.ﾠ However it does link you to the work of academics or government websites eg. Stephen Duckett is a respected Health Economist and writes for The Conversation but also has numerous academic texts and evidence based reports.
ﾠ
3. Please be aware of the student responsibility to check their student email account often - this is the way the University communicates with you. It is fine to link your UQ email account to your private email account.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (22 Jul - 28 Jul) |
Lecture |
Social determinants of health (Wk 1) Welcome to this course. The week's lecture covers:
A separate video will set out an overview of the course, expectations, modes of delivery, and assessment. Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
Tutorial |
Social determinants of health (Wk 1) In this tutorial we will view a video and in groups consider the life course, turning points, and trajectories of the participants. We will also discuss other key points and concepts in the lecture. Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
|
Week 2 (29 Jul - 04 Aug) |
Lecture |
Social Work Role in Health (Wk 2) This week's lecture includes:
We will also contextualise practice with a consideration of the Australia's health care system - strengths and challenges. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Social Work Role in Health (Wk 2) Following on the lecture we will consider practice with older people in the community - we will watch a film and then in groups discuss the practice issues and social work role. Following on the lecture's consideration of theories informing social work in health we will work through a number of case studies and consider relevant theories. We will work through a group exercise in relation to evidence based practice following a natural disaster. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 3 (05 Aug - 11 Aug) |
Lecture |
Knowledge & Skills-Legal Ethical Issues (Wk 3) This week's lecture considers a range of medico-legal issues that arise in health care. These include:
Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Tutorial |
Knowledge & Skills-Legal Ethical Issues (Wk 3) In this tutorial we will consider
Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Week 4 (12 Aug - 18 Aug) |
Lecture |
Knowledge & Skills-Legal Ethical Issues (Wk 4) In this lecture we will be discuss a range of legal documents including EPOA and AHD. The role of QCAT will also be discussed. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Tutorial |
Knowledge & Skills-Legal Ethical Issues (Wk 4) In this tutorial we will work through case examples involving EPOA and AHD; and the intervention of QCAT, Guardians and Administrators. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Week 5 (19 Aug - 25 Aug) |
Lecture |
Knowledge & Skills - Transitions (Wk 5) This week's lecture considers transitions. In particular we consider changes linked to diagnosis, adjustment to frailty, and disability. We consider the impact on the individual and family, and social work responses. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Knowledge & Skills - Transitions (Wk 5) Following on from the lecture we will in groups focus on Transitions for individuals and families in relation to
We will discuss the impact after watching two films. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 6 (26 Aug - 01 Sep) |
Lecture |
Knowledge & Skills - Grief & Loss (Wk 6) This week's lecture focuses on working with grief & loss in health settings. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Knowledge & Skills - Grief & Loss (Wk 6) Following on from the grief lecture we will consider in groups social work practice with families after stillbirth. We will use recorded case studies. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 7 (02 Sep - 08 Sep) |
Lecture |
Knowledge & Skills-Psychosocial Assessment(Wk 7) This week's lecture covers
The lecture and tutorial are the only resources for this topic. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Knowledge & Skills - Psychosocial Assessment (Wk 7) Following on the from the lecture we will work through a video undertaking a psychosocial assessment using a template. We will stop the film and discuss at all relevant points to enable understanding the components of the assessment. Please note this is not the video using for Assignment 2. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 8 (09 Sep - 15 Sep) |
Lecture |
Knowledge & Skills-Psychosocial Assessment (Wk 8) This week's lecture covers in detail the Assessment, Intervention, and Plan sections of a psychosocial assessment. The lecture and tutorial are the only resources for this topic. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Knowledge & Skills-Psychosocial Assessment (Wk 8) Following on from the lecture we will work through the same video we watched last week. We will work through in detail the Assessment, Intervention, and Plan in relation to the person's circumstances in the video. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 9 (16 Sep - 22 Sep) |
Workshop |
Demonstration of Pyschosocial Assessment (Wk 9) A video of an interview will be shown - attendance is COMPULSORY as you are viewing the video required for Assignment 1 Psychosocial Assessment. We will have one interactive session (starting at normal lecture time) to work through the video. We will have rest breaks. PLEASE NOTE there is no lecture or tutorial in addition to the demonstration of the psychosocial assessment. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 10 (30 Sep - 06 Oct) |
Lecture |
Knowledge & Skills - Trauma (Wk 10) In this lecture we will consider life changing events and trauma in health sectors. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Knowledge & Skills - Trauma (Wk 10) Following on from the lecture on trauma we will work through the social work role in relation to sexual assault. We will break out in groups to undertake some work. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
General contact hours |
Catch up session Come in to campus or use zoom to connect with Claire. We can use this time to discuss course material or discuss your psychosocial assignment. I will let you know the room closer to the time. |
|
Week 11 (07 Oct - 13 Oct) |
Lecture |
Knowledge & Skills - Elder Abuse (Wk 11) In this lecture we will discuss elder abuse. We will consider:
Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Knowledge & Skills - Elder Abuse (Wk 11) Following on the lecture we will work through in groups case studies where elder abuse is a presenting issue. We will also consider resources. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 12 (14 Oct - 20 Oct) |
Lecture |
Knowledge & Skills-Acute Care; Communication(Wk 12) In this lecture we will focus on two sections.
Learning outcomes: L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Knowledge & Skills-Written Communication (Wk 12) Following on from the lecture we will work through some written communication using case studies Learning outcomes: L05 |
|
Week 13 (21 Oct - 27 Oct) |
Workshop |
Exam Preparation (Wk 13) This week we will discuss the exam. We will also work through some past exam papers. PLEASE NOTE there is no formal lecture this week; we will use the lecture and tutorial times to undertake exam preparation. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.