Go to Courses and units

Communication and Assessment Skills in Social Work unit (HGW527)

eStudent Enquire

Unit year 2027

View 2026 unit information

View previous years unit information

Quick Help

Location: Cradle Coast, Hobart, Launceston

Introduction

In Communication and Assessment Skills in Social Work, you will develop and extend culturally responsive, decolonising approaches to professional social work practice skills for working with people. Skills and techniques grounded in relational, strengths-based approaches and social justice principles are applied to interpersonal practices of interviewing and to written communication, including documentation. Building on key themes of deep listening and critical self-awareness, this unit focuses on developing communication and analytic skills for exploring and responding to people’s needs in a variety of settings. 

Summary

Unit name Communication and Assessment Skills in Social Work
Unit code HGW527
Credit points 12.5
College/School Health
Social Work Program
Discipline Social Work
Coordinator Doctor Justin Canty
Delivered By University of Tasmania
Level Postgraduate

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

Location Study period Attendance options Available to
Cradle Coast Semester 1 This unit is available through on-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
Hobart Semester 1 This unit is available through on-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
Launceston Semester 1 This unit is available through on-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
  • Key:
  • This unit is available through on-campus delivery On-campus
  • This unit is available through off-campus delivery Off-Campus
  • Available to International Students International students
  • Available to Domestic Students Domestic students
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 21/2/2027 15/3/2027 18/4/2027 12/6/2027

* 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 2027 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2027 will be available from the 1st October 2026. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply ethical methods of communicating in professional settings that are respectful, collaborative and culturally responsive.
  • Maximise opportunities for inclusive, collaborative, and detailed social work assessments through highly effective interpersonal communication skills within a relational approach.
  • Appraise how social work practices, including writing and documentation, meld analysis with empathy for client contexts.
  • Suggest ways to improve social work interpersonal and documentation practices that can contribute to decolonising social work in local, national and international contexts.

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
not applicable
  • 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.

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 (these count towards your Independent Learning). You will also attend weekly on-campus tutorials. This unit has a compulsory attendance requirement.

AssessmentWritten assignment (20%)|Written assignment (30%)|Video recorded interview 30 minutes (50%)
TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

All required readings are available on the unit Reading List. The Reading List has been structured into weekly sections for ease of use. 

You will need regular access to the following text:
Maidment, J., Egan, R., Tudor, R., and Nipperess, S. 2022. Practice skills in social work and welfare: More than just common sense (4th edition). Routledge.


The Library has copies of the ebook for you to access. You are able to download sections as PDF files for offline use. Links to all required reading sections appear in the Reading List.
You may choose to purchase the book if you wish, however this is optional. There are paperback and ebook versions available through Booktopia. 
 
Recommended

Recommended readings are available on the unit Reading List.

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