Download PDF

Course Outline

SWK785 Social Work in Health and Mental Health

Course Coordinator:Tamara Sysak (tsysak@usc.edu.au) School:School of Law and Society

2025Semester 1

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC 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

In all fields of social work practice, the health, mental health and wellbeing of our clients is a key focus. It is important for social workers to understand, advocate for, and apply a 'social lens' that integrates biological elements with the social, psychological, cultural, and spiritual dimensions of health, mental health and wellbeing. This unit addresses core knowledge and skills required to be effective social workers in the broader health context.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – online content 1hr Week 1 11 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – face to face tutorials 2hrs Week 1 11 times

Course Topics

  • Mental and physical health for social work practice. 
  • Knowledge and skills for social work practice in health settings.
  • Working with complexity and diversity in health/mental health: practice and challenges
  • Social, psychological, spiritual and cultural dimensions of health. 
  • Sociocultural factors influencing health and mental health.
  • Other topics related to health and mental health. 

[Adult themes across all course topics]

Mature Content

Adult themes

What level is this course?

700 Level (Specialised)

Demonstrating a specialised body of knowledge and set of skills for professional practice or further learning. Advanced application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 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 Mapping Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... Professional Standard Mapping * Australian Association of Social Workers
1 Demonstrate knowledge of dominant discourses and constructions of mental and physical health and how they impact the rights, dignity and autonomy of people you work with. Knowledgeable
Ethical 
3
2 Apply knowledge of the sociocultural factors influencing mental health, physical health and wellbeing, demonstrating the ability to adapt knowledge in diverse contexts. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker 
5
3 Demonstrate understanding of the continuing health and social inequalities between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians and how to apply this knowledge when practicing in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Knowledgeable
Ethical
Engaged 
2
4 Critically assess the quality and veracity of information to be able to apply judgment in problem-solving and decision-making Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
Ethical
Problem solving 
6
5 Formulate clear and accurate documentation including notes, assessments and recommendations that are informed by social work theory, practice methods, values and critical reflection Creative and critical thinker
Ethical 
1
6 Articulate how you use evidence-based practice to identify and develop interventions based on holistic health and mental health assessments and describe the ethical underpinnings of your approach. Creative and critical thinker
Ethical
Engaged 
1, 6
7 Demonstrate how to assess the nature and level of risk to health and mental health service users and how it to incorporate it in overall assessments. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
Ethical 
6
8 Assemble relevant information through systematic questioning and discussions with an understanding of how in professional practice you will guided by the lived experience, wishes and preferences of health and mental health service users and their carers/families to the fullest extent possible. Creative and critical thinker
Ethical
Engaged 
6
9 Apply an intersectional lens to recognise the complexity and diversity of personal, social and cultural identity and how this impacts the health and mental health of service users and their access to services Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Ethical 
4
10 Actively engage with peers in classroom learning opportunities while being open to new and emerging health and mental health knowledge, research and evidence. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
Ethical
Engaged 
9
11 Critically analyse how health and mental health policies effect health outcomes and impact the fair and equitable access to resources. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
Ethical 
3
12 Articulate the unique scope and contribution social work brings to health/mental health provision in health settings, including when working in interdisciplinary teams. Knowledgeable
Empowered 
7
13 Participate effectively and respectfully with others in a team environment. Ethical
Engaged 
7
14 Present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas that corresponds with a ‘developing professional’ level. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
Ethical 
5

* Competencies by Professional Body

CODE COMPETENCY
Australian Association of Social Workers
1 Practice Standard 1: AASW Code of Ethics
2 Practice Standard 2: Working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
3 Practice Standard 3: Human rights and social justice
4 Practice Standard 4: Culture, identity and intersectionality
5 Practice Standard 5: Critical thinking in practice
6 Practice Standard 6: Exercising professional judgement
7 Practice Standard 7: Professional identity
9 Practice Standard 9: Professional growth

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

Not applicable

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Early feedback will be provided in tutorial activities and critical reflection of course concepts in tutorials.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Activity Participation Individual 10% 
11 tutorials
 Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) In Class
All 2 Quiz/zes Individual 20% 
2 quizzes 
Online 
Multiple choice, multiple answers and other short answer questions
1 hour 30 minutes duration.
 Refer to Format Online Test (Quiz)
All 3 Written Piece Individual 30% 
Up to 900 words
 Week 7 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 4 Oral and Written Piece Individual 40% 
Up to 1800 words and 10 minutes.
 Week 12 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Tutorial Attendance and Participation
Goal: 
AASW external accreditation requires mandatory attendance for skills-based tutorials. Students are to demonstrate consistent and active participation and engagement in tutorial class and group work activities..
Product: Activity Participation
Format: 
Tutorial attendance will be recorded to meet external AASW accreditation requirements. Student participation and engagement in tutorial activities will be assessed based upon attendance and participation across all tutorials.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Be an active learner, open to new and emerging knowledge, research and evidence informing your practice
 1 2 3 4 9 10 11
2 
Contribute your critical perspectives in interactions with peers in a positive and constructive way.
 10 13
3 
Work effectively and respectfully with others in a team environment
 13
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Organisation, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Quizzes
Goal: 
To achieve a sound understanding of key concepts of the course through questions related to weekly readings and tutorial content
Product: Quiz/zes
Format: 
2 online quizzes, employing multiple choice, multiple answer and other question methods. Students are required to log on to the Canvas site and complete the quiz by following the prompts. Students have 1 hour 30 minutes to complete each quiz. The quizzes are open-book but must be completed independently. Quizzes are to be completed in weeks 5 and 10.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Demonstration and application of knowledge of key concepts from weekly readings, online material and tutorial content.
 1 2 3 5 6 7 9 11 12
Generic Skills: 
Problem solving, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:Social work documentation
Goal: 
The goal is to demonstrate that you can formulate clear and accurate documentation that draws on learnings from online learning materials and tutorial content and articulate your approach.
Product: Written Piece
Format: 
You will be provided with a case study and will be required to use the information to complete documentation from a professional social work practice standpoint.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Demonstrate clear and accurate documentation that is non-biased and consistent with social work standards.
 5
2 
Gather pertinent information that informs the documentation and provides service user perspectives.
 8
3 
Apply critical thought and judgement to formulate and document conclusions and decisions.
 4
4 
Document in an evidence-based manner that is informed by social work theory, practice methods, values and critical reflection.
 5
5 
Demonstrate writing skills of a developing professional standard (clarity of expression, correct grammar, spelling and punctuation), logically structured, and coherently argued.
 14
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Problem solving, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 4:Social work assessment
Goal: 
The goal is to demonstrate that you can make evidence informed decisions in a health and mental health context and articulate the ethical underpinnings of your approach.
Product: Oral and Written Piece
Format: 
Students will be required to assemble relevant information from a provided case study and make decisions using an evidence-based practice approach that reflects social work informed understandings of physical and mental wellbeing. It will be informed by knowledge gained from set readings and tutorial content.
This task further requires students to demonstrate their oral communication skills in accordance with the inherent academic requirements of this degree.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Demonstrate how you use evidence-based practice to assemble relevant information to identify and develop courses of action
 6 8
2 
Demonstrate ability to apply judgement when working with complexity
 4
3 
Demonstrate understanding of how to incorporate risk into documentation
 7
4 
Demonstrate writing skills of a developing professional standard (clarity of expression, correct grammar, spelling and punctuation), logically structured, and coherently argued.
 14
5 
Demonstrate oral communication skills of a developing social worker (concise and logically structured)
 12 14
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Problem solving, Information literacy

Assessment to competency mapping

Programme Delivery Mode Assessment Type Title Competency Teaching Methods
Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (ASWEAS)
All delivery modes Activity Participation Tutorial Attendance and Participation 5 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
7 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
9 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
Oral and Written Piece Social work assessment 1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
5 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
6 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
Quiz/zes Quizzes 2 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
3 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
4 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
Written Piece Social work documentation 1 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
5 Taught, Practiced, Assessed
6 Taught, Practiced, Assessed

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

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

Nil

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

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

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.
The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

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

  • 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
Download PDF