Course coordinator
Dr Debby Lynch
Please email Debby if you wish to schedule an appointment.
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Nursing, Midwifery & Social Wk
Social work practice is understood in relation to a number of methods. Students will be taught, and are expected to demonstrate competence in social work practice as that is practiced in communities, and a capacity to integrate several methods required by a particular piece of work. Please note that conversation cafes (peer discussion groups) are also a component of this course.
Welcome to SWSP7188: Direct Practice 2
This course builds on your developing knowledge and skills in social work by focusing on practice with groups and communities. We will explore two key methods of social work: group work practice and community work practice, often referred to as mezzo and macro practice. Both these methods focus on social work practice in building and sustaining groups and communities.
In conjunction with SWSP7177, which focused on direct practice with individuals in both voluntary and involuntary casework settings, SWSP7188 aims to facilitate the development of your practice skills and theoretical understandings to enable you to undertake a field placement involving group and community work practice. As with SWSP7188, this course begins by exploring social work practice as a purposeful activity. We consider how we negotiate our practice purpose through our context, our professional base, as well as the values, experiences, skills and perspectives that we bring to social work. This course builds on your existing skills base and introduces competencies for effective social work practice with groups and communities.
Core Knowledge and Concepts
In SWSP7188, we will explore a range of knowledge areas and practice skills:
- Foundational knowledge and skills in working with groups and communities.
- A critically reflective practice approach to working with groups and communities.
- Application of social work values in group and community practice contexts.
- Identification of diverse forms of community, including spatial communities (e.g. urban and rural communities) and identity based communities.
- Philosophies and theories of professional practice in community work such as comparing consensual vs. contestual approaches to community development.
- Examination of two models of community development practice: Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) and Anti-Oppressive Practice (AOP).ﾠ
- Community engagement and advocacy such as community consultation processes and strategies, navigating how community workers interface with policy processes to advocate with and for communities, and to access resources with and for communities.ﾠﾠﾠ
Direct Practice Skills (Introductory Level)
- Designing and facilitating community education processes.
- Skills in planning and running community support groups.
- Inclusive group leadership.
- Maximising group participation i.e. ensuring everyone gets a voice in groups and meetings.
- Assessing community strengths and capacities.
- Basic conflict mediation in group or community settings.
- Preparing media releases for print and online platforms.
- Conducting community consultations and advocacy processes.
- Writing funding submissions for small-scale community projects.
- Evaluating the impact and effectiveness of community based practice.
Acknowledgement
The University of Queensland acknowledges the Traditional Owners and their custodianship of the lands on which the university now stands. We pay our respects to their Ancestors and their descendants, who continue their cultural and spiritual connections to Country. We recognise their valuable contributions to Australia and global society.ﾠ
ASWEAS Required Curriculum Content Areas covered in this course:
The Master of Social Work (Qualifying) 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
2. Power, oppression, and exploitation
4. Culture, identity, and discrimination
5. Psychosocial health and wellbeing across the lifecycle
The Master of Social Work (Qualifying) will undergo re-accreditation in 2026 under the new ASWEAS (2024), which outlines updated required curriculum. This course content maps to the following:
1. Social worker values and professional identity
2. Approaches to social work
Course requirements
Assumed background
Students will have successfully completed SWSP7177 (Direct Practice 1) or equivalent course.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
SWSP7177
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
SWSP2088
Restrictions
Restricted to MSW(Q) students
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Tutor
Ms Julie Anne Votan
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Consultations will the Course Coordinator are available by appointment. If you would like to arrange a meeting, please contact the course coordinator by email.
Throughout the semester, there will be 2-3 Peer Conversation Cafés designed to support your learning and course assignments. Dates and times for these session will be announced in advance so please keep an eye on course email communications.
All students are required to sign up for a tutorial group. If you need to request a change to your allocated tutorial time, please email the Course Coordinator. While every effort will be made to accommodate requests, reallocation cannot be guaranteed. When considering tutorial changes, the following priorities will apply:
- Highest priority will be given to students with care responsibilities that affect their ability to attend their allocated tutorial. In such cases, written verification from relevant services (such as child care providers) confirming that alternative arrangements are not possible will be required.
- Requests from full-time students seeking changes due to paid work commitments will be considered, but will receive lower priority.
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to:
- Build students’ understanding of, and capacity to use, foundational skills in group work ﾠpractice andﾠ community development practice;
- Promote critical analysis of the different forms of community in which social workers are engaged and to develop students’ capacity to deploy practice skills appropriate to building inclusive communities within these ﾠdifferent types of community and to influence policy processes from a community base;ﾠ
- Promote culturally inclusive practices through the use of group work and community development methods;
- Build students' understanding of contemporary theoretical frameworks for social work practice in mezzo and macro practice. We will compare consensual and contestual approaches to community development and consider twoﾠ theories of professional practice, these are: Asset Based Community Development and Anti-Oppressive Practice.ﾠ
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Use skills in engaging groups in communities - Identify and apply basic skills in community work to influence and implement social policy through community consultation processes.
LO2.
Use skills in engaging groups in communities - Identify and apply basic skills in working with groups and communities, including practice skills for engaging, assessment and intervention with communities.
LO3.
Use skills in engaging groups in communities - Understand and use community education processes.
LO4.
Use skills in engaging groups in communities - Understand how social work values apply to group and community work practice as methods of professional social work practice.
LO5.
Use skills in engaging groups in communities - Articulate theoretical frameworks for group and community work practice in professional social work practice.
LO6.
Use skills in engaging groups in communities - Recognise different forms of community, especially those based on location and those based on cultural identity, and the implications of these differences for promoting inclusive communities.
LO7.
Use skills in engaging groups in communities - Understand how to contribute to culturally responsive approaches to working with groups and communities.
LO8.
Use skills in engaging groups in communities - Apply research skills to access key data sources which illuminate community need and capacity for the development of effective community consultation submissions.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution, Presentation, Reflection | Group Workshop and Individual Reflection | 50% |
22/8/2025 - 12/9/2025 Part 1: The Group Skills Workshops commence in Week 4 and continue until Week 7. 26/09/2025 1:00 pm
Part 2: The Individual Reflection is due in Week 9 on Friday. |
| Project | Community Development Project | 50% marked out of 100 |
31/10/2025 1:00 pm |
Assessment details
Group Workshop and Individual Reflection
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Oral, Written
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution, Presentation, Reflection
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
22/8/2025 - 12/9/2025
Part 1: The Group Skills Workshops commence in Week 4 and continue until Week 7.
26/09/2025 1:00 pm
Part 2: The Individual Reflection is due in Week 9 on Friday.
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07
Task description
This description is a brief summary of the assessment task. For full details, including the marking rubric, please refer to the course Learn UQ (Blackboard) site.
The assessment consists of two parts, each worth 25% of your final grade for this assessment.
Part 1: Group Workshop
Weighting: 25%
Description:
In the tutorials from Week 4 (22 August) to Week 7 (12 September), students will work in groups (4 students) to facilitate one of four community work practice skills workshops. The aim of this group task is to demonstrate the ability to define, analyse and apply direct practice skills in group work and community work.
Group Allocations: We will be organising group membership, topics and the presentation schedule in our first tutorial. Please ensure that you attend this class. If you are unable to attend, you will be placed in a group and provided the contact details of your group members. It is your responsibility to make contact with your group as soon as possible following receipt of those details.
Tutorial Participation Requirement: If a student is unable to attend and participate in the Week 4 - Week 7 tutorials due to illness or an unexpected personal crisis, they will be required to complete a catch-up group work activity (e.g. facilitating a group activity in a tutorial). This ensures that all students meet the learning outcomes required by Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) accreditation standards.
Part 2: Individual Reflection
Weighting: 25%
Description:
Students will undertake a reflective analysis to deepen their understanding of community work practice. For this task, students will write an (individual) reflection where they critically analyse and apply the principles of community education/problem-posing drawing on their experience of facilitating the group workshop and the experience of participating as a group member in at least one other group workshop. To support their individual reflection, students will have the opportunity in the tutorials to journal their learning experiences following each of the group workshops. These reflective journal entries will support this Part 2 of the assessment.
Use of AI: This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. While students may use AI technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference generative AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI tools. Please complete the reflective statement on how AI was used in this assessment taking into account ethical considerations.
Submission guidelines
This assessment requires students to submit an electronic version of their assignment via Blackboard. The electronic version of your assignment will be submitted via Blackboard, using the Turnitin software.
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 28 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.
Extension guidelines
- Extension requests should be submitted prior to the assessment deadline.
- 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 as per the guidelines in my.UQ.
- 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 for each assessment.
- A maximum of three assessment requests can be submitted for each assessment, and the third request must include an Assessment Management Plan.
- Students who have been ill or unable to attend class for more than 4 weeks in a semester are advised to carefully consider whether they are capable of successfully completing their courses and may need to consider applying for removal of course.
- Students who have a disability or a chronic medical condition (including a mental health condition) are encouraged to meet with a Disability Advisor within Student Services to request a Student Access Plan (SAP) with a clause on extension requests. Students who have an SAP can apply for a 7-day extension.
Outcome of application
- Extension requests are generally processed within 2 working days.
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.
Community Development Project
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Project
- Weight
- 50% marked out of 100
- Due date
31/10/2025 1:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08
Task description
This description is a brief summary of the task. For full details, including the marking rubric, please refer to the course Learn UQ (Blackboard) site.
Description:
The aim of the Community Development Project is for students to demonstrate a capacity to design a community project that addresses community need and builds capacity underpinned by community development principles and skills. The project will also meet the course learning objective to demonstrate culturally responsive practice approaches to working with groups and communities.
Students will have the opportunity to design a community development project in the form of a funding application. The funding proposal is to be completed on a pre-formatted document.
Use of AI: This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. While students may use AI technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference generative AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI tools. Please complete the Student Reflective Statement on the Appropriate use of AI cover sheet for this assessment.
Submission guidelines
This assessment requires students to submit an electronic version of their assignment via Blackboard. The electronic version of your assignment will be submitted via Blackboard, using the Turnitin software.
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 28 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.
Extension guidelines
- Extension requests should be submitted prior to the assessment deadline.
- 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 as per the guidelines in my.UQ.
- 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 for each assessment.
- A maximum of three assessment requests can be submitted for each assessment, and the third request must include an Assessment Management Plan.
- Students who have been ill or unable to attend class for more than 4 weeks in a semester are advised to carefully consider whether they are capable of successfully completing their courses and may need to consider applying for removal of course.
- Students who have a disability or a chronic medical condition (including a mental health condition) are encouraged to meet with a Disability Advisor within Student Services to request a Student Access Plan (SAP) with a clause on extension requests. Students who have an SAP can apply for a 7-day extension.
Outcome of application
- Extension requests are generally processed within 2 working days.
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.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29.9% |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Fails to demonstrate most or all of the basic requirements of the course. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 46.9% |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates clear deficiencies in understanding and applying fundamental concepts; communicates information or ideas in ways that are frequently incomplete or confusing and give little attention to the conventions of the discipline. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 49.9% |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Demonstrates superficial, partial or faulty understanding of the fundamental concepts of the field of study and limited ability to apply these concepts; presents undeveloped, inappropriate or unsupported arguments; communicates information or ideas with lack of clarity and inconsistent adherence to the conventions of the discipline. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64.49% |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates adequate understanding and application of the fundamental concepts of the field of study; developes routine arguments or decisions and provides acceptable justifications; communicates information and ideas adequately in terms of the conventions of the discipline. |
| 5 (Credit) | 64.5 - 74.49% |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates substantial understanding of fundamental concepts of the field of study and ability to apply these concepts in a variety of contexts; develops or adapts convincing arguments and provides coherent justifications; communicates information and ideas clearly and fluently in terms of the conventions of the disciplines. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 74.5 - 84.49% |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: As for 5, with frequent evidence of originality in defining and analysing issues or problems and in creating solutions; uses a level, style and means of communication appropriate ot the discipline and the audience. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 84.5% - 100% |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: As for 6, with consistent evidence of substantial originality and insight in identifying, generating and communicating competing arguments, perspectives or problem-solving approaches; critically evaluates problems, their solutions and implications. |
Additional course grading information
All pieces of assessment must be submitted for the student to be eligible to pass the course.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Note on Oral Assessments
The group workshops in this course will not be recorded (see Policy 3.10.02 Assessment - Procedures). Written notes will be taken by your tutor to document the group's performance in the workshops and for the purposes of moderation.
Word Count Outside Required Length
A word count that is within 10% of the set length (word limit) is acceptable. A word count that is outside of this 10% will result in a reduction of 10% of the total mark available for the assessment. Please note that the word count for assessment items includes in text citations, tables and figures but excludes the reference list.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
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Student Email
Students are provided with a UQ email account and must monitor the account whilst enrolled at UQ. Please see the Information Communication Technology Policy and the Personal use of UQ email section in the Acceptable use of ICT Resources guideline for information regarding the appropriate use of email.
Students must use their UQ email account for all correspondence with academic staff.
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 (28 Jul - 03 Aug) |
Lecture |
Overview and Introduction to the course In this introductory session, we explore group work and community development as methods of social work practice. We examine community as the focus and context of social work practice. Through the course overview, you'll gain an understanding of the course structure, expectations and requirements which will enable you to engage meaningfully with the learning over the next 13 weeks. There are no tutorials this week. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Week 2 (04 Aug - 10 Aug) |
Lecture |
Community Education Today we focus on the theory and practice of community education. This class will provide the foundation for planning and facilitating your group workshops in Weeks 4-7 of the course. Learning outcomes: L03, L05 |
Tutorial |
Introductory Tutorial In this first tutorial, we introduce ourselves and set group agreements. We organise the groups for the workshops and begin to consider community work practice skills. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04 |
|
Week 3 (11 Aug - 17 Aug) |
Lecture |
Culturally Responsive Community Work Today we host a guest practitioner who will guide our learning about protocol for respectful engagement with culturally diverse communities. Learning outcomes: L02, L06, L07 |
Tutorial |
Community Education We review community education principles and identify important skills for the group workshops. We will discuss approaches to, and skills in, engaging with culturally diverse communities. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L05, L07 |
|
Week 4 (18 Aug - 24 Aug) |
Lecture |
Working with Groups in a Community Context We discuss the types of groups in a community work context. We explore the different ways community workers facilitate group participation. This theme will continue in the tutorial. Learning outcomes: L02, L05 |
Tutorial |
Maximising Group Participation This tutorial begins with the first skills workshop which focuses on achieving inclusive group leadership through maximising participation in groups. Following the workshop we discuss material from the course readings with a focus on the stage theory of groups. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L06 |
|
Week 5 (25 Aug - 31 Aug) |
Lecture |
Groups as Vehicles for Change We return to the theme of working with groups and consider some practical examples of how community groups are being used to achieve change. Learning outcomes: L02, L04, L05, L07 |
Tutorial |
Managing Conflict in Groups The second student skills workshop addresses the topic of understanding and managing conflict in groups. We discuss conflict as an inevitable part of groups and consider how conflict can be managed constructively. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L07 |
|
Week 6 (01 Sep - 07 Sep) |
Lecture |
Asset Based Community Development We explore the principles of an Asset Based Approach to Community Development. Learning outcomes: L02, L04, L05, L07 |
Tutorial |
Assessing Community Needs & Capacities Assessing a community's needs and capacities is the topic of the group workshop. We will discuss the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) approach. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 7 (08 Sep - 14 Sep) |
Lecture |
A Critical Practice Perspective We consider forms of community work that are aimed at creating social change. Learning outcomes: L02, L04, L06, L07 |
Tutorial |
Working with the Media The final skills workshop addresses working with the media (print or social media) to represent and advocate for your community. Students learn the skill of preparing media releases in community practice. We consider whether generative AI can play a role. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
|
Week 8 (15 Sep - 21 Sep) |
Lecture |
Community Consultation and Advocacy We explore community consultation processes from a practice perspective and introduce the role of an advocacy paper. We will discuss how to write an advocacy paper based on community consultation processes. We explore the social worker's role in representing and advocating for/with communities through community consultation processes. Learning outcomes: L01, L04, L06, L07, L08 |
Tutorial |
Community Consultation Processes In this tutorial, we explore community consultation processes and discuss the role of an advocacy paper as a means to represent community. Learning outcomes: L01, L04, L06, L07, L08 |
|
Week 9 (22 Sep - 28 Sep) |
Lecture |
Community Work Practice & Policy Processes We continue to explore community consultation processes from a practice perspective. We focus on the social work role and writing an advocacy paper. Learning outcomes: L01, L04, L06, L07, L08 |
Tutorial |
Community Consultation Processes In this tutorial, we continue to explore community consultation processes and begin to discuss and plan your community development project. Learning outcomes: L01, L04, L06, L07, L08 |
|
Week 10 (06 Oct - 12 Oct) |
Lecture |
Preparing your Funding Proposal Part 1 We consider how social workers in community practice access funds for community activities. We discuss the following elements of your funding submission for your community development project: writing a budget, timeline and milestones. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L06, L07 |
Tutorial |
Preparing your Funding Proposal Part 1 In this tutorial we focus on the skills involved in writing a funding submission. The class will engage in writing exercises. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L06, L07 |
|
Week 11 (13 Oct - 19 Oct) |
Lecture |
Preparing your Funding Proposal Part 2 Preparing your Funding proposal. We continue to focus on the funding submission for your community development project and consider all the components. We discuss the community development principles and values underpinning your project design. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L06, L07 |
Tutorial |
Preparing your Funding Proposal Part 2 In this tutorial we continue to focus on the skills involved in writing your funding submission. We will reflect on the community development principles and skills that underpin your project design. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07 |
|
Week 12 (20 Oct - 26 Oct) |
Lecture |
Implementation, Evaluation and Review Part 1 Today we will continue to discuss the funding proposal and focus on project evaluation processes. Learning outcomes: L05, L06, L07 |
Tutorial |
Implementation, Evaluation and Review Part 1 In this tutorial we explore project evaluation processes. Learning outcomes: L05, L06, L07 |
|
Week 13 (27 Oct - 02 Nov) |
Lecture |
Implementation, Evaluation and Review Part 2 In the final lecture, we conclude our discussions of the funding submission and evaluation processes. Key course themes will be reviewed. Learning outcomes: L02, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Course Review In the first half of the tutorial we review your learning in the course. In the last half we celebrate your achievements over the semester - activity to be decided together! Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08 |
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 for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.