James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2023

WS4511 - Professional Identity and Social Work Practice

Available to BSW students.

Subject Description

This subject provides students of the Bachelor of Social work with an opportunity to reflect on their personal journey through social work studies, reviewing areas of learning and development as they relate to the professional practice standards for graduating social workers. It is expected that on completion of the subject, students will be able to articulate their vision for practice, including the values underpinning the way they intend to practice; their preferred ideological position and the skills and strengths they will bring to their practice as entry level social workers. Importantly, students will also be able to articulate the changes they may encounter when working in the sector. Pathways to maintaining optimism and commitment to socially just and rights based practice will also be explored. Attendance at the 5 day block is compulsory.

Learning Outcomes

• generate and transmit an approach to practice that supports a commitment to professional development and socially just rights-based practice
• critically review and analyse social systems, institutions, legislation, structures, processes, practices and inequities
• define how social work differs from other disciplines within a practice context and articulate your social work identity
• articulate and apply a professional practice framework including values, ethics, theories with critical consideration to legislative, workplace and clients' contexts
• develop and apply a professional practice framework underpinned by values, ethics and theories, to case studies with a focus on addressing social barriers, inequity and injustice across diverse contexts

Subject Assessment

• Written > Test/Quiz 1 - (10%) - Individual
• Oral > Presentation 1 - (50%) - Individual
• Written > Reflection/reflective task 1 - (40%) - Individual

Note that minor variations might occur due to the continuous subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.

Inadmissible Subject Combinations:  WS5611

Availabilities