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Social Work Practicum 1 unit (HGW313)

Students undertake 500 hours (minimum) of placement in a setting that is relevant to social work practice 

To be eligible to undertake this professional experience placement (PEP) students are required to:

  • attend compulsory Preparation for Placement seminars;
  • meet the academic pre-requisites for this unit;
  • meet the Functional Requirements for students enrolled in Social Work; and,
  • undertake a National Police Record Check and Working with Children/Vulnerable People Check (Volunteer).

You will be advised of how to meet these requirements at the Fieldwork Orientation Session within the first weeks of Semester 1.

See more information and resources at Field Education Placements.

Introduction

Social Work Practicum 1 is a cornerstone unit in the third year of the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours). Students are required to complete a minimum of 500 hours of placement in an agency setting that enables them to meet the learning outcomes of the unit. Each student is allocated a Placement Educator, and through regular supervision—provided by a qualified social worker with at least two years of full-time post-graduation experience—students learn to translate social work theory into professional practice. Prior to commencing placement, students must attend preparatory seminars, and throughout the placement they participate in integration workshops to support their learning and development.

Summary

Unit name Social Work Practicum 1
Unit code HGW313
Credit points 50
College/School Health
Social Work Program
Discipline Social Work
Coordinator Doctor Tina Kostecki
Available as an elective? No
Delivered By University of Tasmania
Level Advanced

Sustainable Development Goals

The Unit Coordinator has identified that this unit aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on the alignment of the unit with these goals.

Availability

Specific information on 2027 unit availability will be available in August

Learning Outcomes

  • Explore and display ethical, inclusive and culturally responsive social work practice skills in a professional setting. (Practice Standards 1, 2, 3 & 4).
  • Identify social work theories and relate theory to practice in a professional setting (Practice Standard 5).
  • Demonstrate an awareness of and ability to implement a range of tasks and social work interventions, methods, and techniques used within a professional settings. (Practice Standards 3, 6 & 9).
  • Recognise and display professional attitudes, workplace behaviours and communication skills (verbal, nonverbal or written) appropriate to the profession of social work particularly in complex and challenging situations (Practice Standards 1, 4, 7 & 9).
  • Apply reflective supervision as it relates to your own practice within professional supervision to critically reflect on your own practice. (Practice Standard 8).

Fee Information

2027 fee information will be available in August.

Requisites

Prerequisites

HGW302, HGW308, HGW324 and HGW327

Teaching

Teaching Pattern

Students undertake at least 14 weeks FTE of placement. Placements are undertaken on a full-time basis. In some circumstances part-time placements may be negotiated, subject to availability. Full-time placements are undertaken over a period of 14 weeks. Students will also be required to attend preparation seminars prior to placement, some of these may occur in Semester 1.

AssessmentFinal Placment assessment|Mid-placement assessment
TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required
  • Cleak, H & Wilson J. 2022 , Making the Most of Field Placement, Thomson, Australia.  

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