Contexts of Social Work Practice unit (HGW308)

Cradle Coast, Hobart, Launceston

Introduction

The unit focuses on the social, political, and legal contexts of social work practice. Through an analysis of pressing contemporary issues, you will learn how human wellbeing is shaped and reshaped by political and legal systems. A critical lens will help you uncover the dynamics of power that inform these systems, often resulting in outcomes that challenge the core values of the social work profession. However, you will also learn how to influence these contexts to enhance outcomes for our diverse social work client base through an emphasis on their lived experience. This will be achieved through an examination of policy analysis frameworks, justice models, and ethical decision-making practices. These ideas will be developed into skills that will help you navigate a complex world of political, legal, and monetary decision-making at the meso and macro scales. Importantly, the unit emphasises cultural responsiveness as a key consideration for all practice contexts. This includes examining the need to decolonise institutional arrangements and on-the-ground practices using a diverse range of knowledge, including First Nations perspectives. Critical analysis and reflection is consistently used throughout the unit to challenge you to work respectfully with each other and in culturally relevant modalities 

Summary

Unit name	Contexts of Social Work Practice
Unit code	HGW308
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Health Social Work Program
Discipline	Social Work
Coordinator	Mr Timothy Henry
Available as an elective?	No
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Advanced

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Cradle Coast	Semester 1
Hobart	Semester 1
Launceston	Semester 1

Note

Please check that your computer meets the minimum System Requirements if you are attending via Distance/Off-Campus.

Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.

Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 1	22/2/2026	16/3/2026	19/4/2026	13/6/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Critically engage with the problematisation of social issues through an analysis of socio-political and socio-legal power
• Analyse the impact of policies and laws pertaining to social work practice through reflexive engagement with the experiences of a diverse array of peoples
• Demonstrate a capacity to support social work organisations through adaptation to policy, legal, and fiscal contexts
• Recommend changes to policies, laws, service systems and service delivery methods

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution 1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3	Domestic Full Fee 4
090501	$2,174.00	$1,020.00	$1,192.00	$2,562.00

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Prerequisites

200 credit points from the Bachelor of Social Work with Honours

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	You will complete one hour of online learning activities (including lectures, videos, podcasts, and other activities) and approximately one hour of required reading per week. You will also attend two hour weekly on-campus tutorials.
Assessment	Policy/Legal Brief (20%)|Agency Visit + Grant Application (40%)|Senate Public Inquiry Submission (40%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	All readings will be available via the Reading List link in MyLO, or the unit Reading List on the University Library website.
Recommended	All readings will be available via the Reading List link in MyLO, or the unit Reading List on the University Library website.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.