Course Outline
SWK201 Human Services Placement 1
Course Coordinator:Maike Hale (mhale@usc.edu.au) School:School of Law and Society
2025Semester 1
UniSC Sunshine CoastUniSC Moreton Bay |
Blended learning | Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online. |
Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.
What is this course about?
Description
Human Services Field Education 1 provides the first opportunity for you to apply classroom-based learning to a human service practice context. It allows for human service values, theories, knowledge and skills to be integrated into practice in a safe, supported and supervised environment. It emphasises learning about the organisational base of practice in the human services industry. It offers practice experience in human services methods, applying knowledge and developing skills. Critical reflection on your practice will be emphasised.
How will this course be delivered?
| Activity | Hours | Beginning Week | Frequency |
| Blended learning | |||
| Tutorial/Workshop 1 – On campus Pre-Placement Workshop - 7 Hours in the week before O Week | 7hrs | Pre-semester/trimester/session | Once Only |
| Placement – Field placement - 250 Hours | 250hrs | Orientation week | Once Only |
| Tutorial/Workshop 2 – University-based field placement integration workshop - 3 Hours in Semester Break Week | 3hrs | Break week | Once Only |
Course Topics
Application of theory to practice in a human services practice context.
Ethical and professional practice in agency context in accordance with accreditation requirements.
Critical reflection.
Professional supervision.
Mature Content
What level is this course?
200 Level (Developing)
What is the unit value of this course?
24 units
How does this course contribute to my learning?
| Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... | Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... | |
| 1 | Successfully complete 250 hours of human services practice in accordance with the relevant practice guidelines, in an approved human services setting/organisation. |
Creative and critical thinker Empowered Ethical Engaged |
| 2 | Undertake professional practice in accordance with accrediting body guidelines and requirements, whilst adhering to appropriate Codes of Ethics. |
Knowledgeable Creative and critical thinker Empowered Ethical Engaged |
| 3 | Demonstrate to a first placement standard, the integration of theory, knowledge, skills and practice guidelines, while practicing in a human services setting. |
Knowledgeable Creative and critical thinker Empowered Ethical Engaged |
| 4 | Develop and begin to demonstrate critical self-reflection in relation to your own practice, values, beliefs and application of ethical responsibilities. |
Knowledgeable Creative and critical thinker Empowered Ethical Engaged Sustainability-focussed |
| 5 | Develop, articulate, assess and evaluate goals for learning and practice in a professional practice setting that incorporate human services theories, skills, knowledge, ethics and values. |
Knowledgeable Creative and critical thinker Empowered Ethical Engaged |
| 6 | Communicate professionally and respectfully with clients, colleagues and community members. |
Ethical Engaged Sustainability-focussed |
| 7 | Demonstrate respect and value for others with an understanding of and sensitivity towards issues of cultural diversity, gender and disability. |
Knowledgeable Empowered Ethical Engaged Sustainability-focussed |
| 8 | Demonstrate professional written and verbal communication skills and use appropriate technology for completing reports and other professional written documentation. |
Knowledgeable Creative and critical thinker Ethical Engaged Sustainability-focussed |
| 9 | Act in a professional manner and in accordance with the relevant Codes of Conduct. |
Creative and critical thinker Empowered Ethical Engaged |
| 10 | Actively seek feedback on performance and development and apply this to further learning and practice opportunities in a professional setting. |
Creative and critical thinker Empowered Ethical Engaged |
| 11 | Engage in professional supervision to enhance professional and ethical practice in a human services setting. |
Creative and critical thinker Ethical Engaged Sustainability-focussed |
| 12 | Where appropriate, utilise and apply research in practice to address the needs of individuals, groups and communities in society. |
Knowledgeable Creative and critical thinker Empowered Ethical Engaged Sustainability-focussed |
Am I eligible to enrol in this course?
Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.
Pre-requisites
Completed 96 units in Program AR372 or AR303 including SWK100
Co-requisites
SWK278
Anti-requisites
SCS273
Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)
Prior to enrolling in SWK201, students should have gained foundational knowledge in relation to communication skills, practice theories, Indigenous perspectives, frameworks used to understand people in social contexts and the theoretical underpinning of group work in Human Services practice and settings.
How am I going to be assessed?
Grading Scale
Limited Grading (PNP)
Details of early feedback on progress
Feedback on progress will be delivered at key points in the placement experience. Early feedback on the design of the student learning plan (assessment task 3) will be provided in the liaison meeting in the first 3- 4 weeks of placement. Student performance in this course will be further reviewed by the placement supervisor, liaison officer and student via the mid-placement evaluation document and discussed during the second liaison meeting (at approx. 125 hours of placement).
Assessment tasks
| Delivery mode | Task No. | Assessment Product | Individual or Group | What is the duration / length? | When should I submit? | Where should I submit it? |
| All | 1 | Code of Conduct | Individual | 1 online quiz. 1 code of conduct form. Professional conduct assessed over placement duration. |
Refer to Format | Online Submission |
| All | 2 | Activity Participation | Individual | 10 hours, comprising of: (1) 7 hour pre-placement workshop (2) 3 hour mid-placement integration workshop |
Refer to Format | In Class |
| All | 3 | Written Piece | Individual | Completed over duration of placement: Learning Plan due week 3 of placement. Mid-placement Learning Plan due at 125 hours. Final Learning Plan at end of placement. |
Refer to Format | SONIA |
| All | 4 | Written Piece | Individual | Completed using the Process record and reflection template. |
Week 13 | SONIA |
| All | 5 | Report | Individual | A minimum of 250 hours undertaken in an approved field placement setting. |
Refer to Format | SONIA |
| All - Assessment Task 1:Code of Conduct | |||||||||||||
| Goal: | To undertake professional practice while on placement in accordance with the professional body's/bodies' Code of Ethics, together with agency's code of conduct and the student code of conduct at the University of the Sunshine Coast. |
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| Product: | Code of Conduct | ||||||||||||
| Format: | Pre-placement code of conduct quiz completed on CANVAS prior to commencing placement. Code of Conduct statement in SONIA to be read, signed, and uploaded to SONIA Checks, prior to commencing placement. Student professional conduct assessed throughout the placement. |
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| Criteria: |
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| Generic Skills: | Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Organisation, Information literacy |
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| All - Assessment Task 2:Engagement in University-Based Structured Learning | |||||||||||||||||||
| Goal: | To adequately prepare students for field placement and to integrate theory and knowledge with practice in accordance with accreditation. |
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| Product: | Activity Participation | ||||||||||||||||||
| Format: | Pre-Placement Workshop: Compulsory attendance at, and participation in the pre-placement workshop on campus. This is scheduled in the week prior to Orientation Week. Mid-placement integration workshop: Compulsory attendance at, and active participation in an on-campus workshop. Scheduled during mid-semester break week. |
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| Criteria: |
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| Generic Skills: | Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Organisation |
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| All - Assessment Task 3:Learning Plan | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Goal: | To assess student’s performance on placement. The learning goals in the plan need to focus on the domains specified in assessment template. |
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| Product: | Written Piece | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Format: | Draft Learning Plan: The Learning Plan formalises the placement process and the goals and aims to be achieved. This document is uploaded in SONIA, and discussed in a meeting with student, supervisor(s) and liaison officer. This is due at the end of week 3 of the student's placement. Templates and resources to assist students with drafting the Learning Plan are available on SONIA. Mid-placement Learning Plan: The student and their supervisor(s) jointly review the placement thus far, and determine progress, strengths, and areas for development. Areas of concern can be identified and plans to address them can be implemented during the remainder of the placement. This document is uploaded in SONIA. It is due once the student has completed 250 hours of placement. Final Learning Plan: The student and their supervisor(s) evaluate the student’s overall performance on placement. This document is uploaded in SONIA and then assessed by the liaison officer. The final learning plan and evaluation is due within 5 days of the student completing placement. |
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| Criteria: |
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| Generic Skills: | Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy |
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| All - Assessment Task 4:Process Record and Reflection. | ||||||||||||||||
| Goal: | To recall, write and critically reflect on a practice scenario. |
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| Product: | Written Piece | |||||||||||||||
| Format: | Submitted to SONIA Checks no later than week 13 of semester. |
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| Criteria: |
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| Generic Skills: | Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy |
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| All - Assessment Task 5:Placement-Based Record of Attendance | ||||||||||
| Goal: | To evidence completion of 250 hours of professional field practice in accordance with the practice standards of the accrediting body. |
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| Product: | Report | |||||||||
| Format: | Students keep a record of their attendance at field placement, using the Hours Verification template available on SONIA. This is regularly signed off by the nominated placement supervisor or a suitable delegate. Students must submit to Sonia within 5 days of completing placement. |
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| Criteria: |
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| Generic Skills: | Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy |
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Directed study hours
A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.
What resources do I need to undertake this course?
Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.
Prescribed text(s) or course reader
Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below. Resources may be required or recommended.
| Required? | Author | Year | Title | Edition | Publisher |
| Required | Helen Cleak,Jill Wilson | 2022 | Making the Most of Field Placement | 5th | Cengage AU |
Specific requirements
To enrol in this course, students must complete the mandatory pre-placement compliance requirements as outlined in the pre-placement information and processes provided by the FFPO and Social Work and Human Services Field Education Unit. This includes a valid Blue Card. Please note that some placements require additional compliance requirements such as criminal history checks (AFP Type 37 clearance), NDIS worker screening check and vaccinations, etc. It is important to discuss this with the field education unit at the pre-placement interviews for students. There are mandatory onsite requirements that must be met for this course. This includes attendance on site in the host placement agency and attendance on campus for the pre-placement workshop.
How are risks managed in this course?
What administrative information is relevant to this course?
Assessment: Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.
Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.
In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.
Assessment: Additional Requirements
This course will be graded as Pass in a Limited Grade Course (PU) or Fail in a Limited Grade Course (UF) as per clause 5.1.1.3 and 5.1.1.4 of the Grades and Grade Point Average (GPA) - Academic Policy.
In a course eligible to use Limited Grades, all assessment items in that course are marked on a Pass/Fail basis and all assessment tasks are required to be passed for a student to successfully complete the course. Supplementary assessment is not available in courses using Limited Grades.
Assessment: Submission penalties
You must contact your Course Coordinator and provide the required documentation if you require an extension or alternate assessment.
Refer to the Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs – Procedures.
SafeUniSC
UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.
The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.
Study help
For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.
If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.
Wellbeing Services
Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.
To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.
AccessAbility Services
Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.
To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.
Links to relevant University policy and procedures
For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:
- Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
- Review of Assessment and Final Grades
- Supplementary Assessment
- Central Examinations
- Deferred Examinations
- Student Conduct
- Students with a Disability
For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching
Student Charter
UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.
General Enquiries
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In person:
- UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
- UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
- UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
- UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
- UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
- UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
- Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
- Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au