Course Outline

SWK785 Social Work in Health and Mental Health

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

2024Semester 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

The socio-political context of health

Theories and models of health

Current responses to health

Discrimination and privilege in mental/health

Mental health: Mapping the context

Mental health: Legislation & practice

Mental health: Consumer and carers’ lived experience

Mental health: Practice and challenges

[Adult themes across all course topics]

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 Make explicit the judgements and evidence informing decisions and actions that are documented accurately and comprehensively. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Ethical
Engaged
1.1, 2, 2.2, 4, 4.2, 4.4, 5, 5.1, 6.2, 7, 7.1
2 Apply sophisticated interdisciplinary knowledge, theories and skills to the study of complex health and mental health issues. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
2, 2.1, 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.4, 5, 5.2, 6.3
3 Analyse the case study to formulate and document a biopsychosocial assessment, including risk and protective factors. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Ethical
Engaged
1.1, 3, 4, 4.1, 5, 5.1, 5.3, 5.4, 6.2, 7
4 Gather pertinent information by systematic questioning and discussions, incorporating the clients and service users’ perspective. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
1.1, 2, 4, 5, 5.1
5 Apply critical thought and judgement in identifying, formulating and documenting assessment conclusions with intellectual independence. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
Ethical
Engaged
3, 4, 4.1, 4.4, 5, 5.3, 5.4
6 Demonstrate knowledge of the sociocultural factors influencing mental health, physical health and wellbeing. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Ethical
Engaged
3, 4, 4.1, 4.4
7 Demonstrate communication skills reflective of an emerging social work professional. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Ethical
Sustainability-focussed
2, 4, 5, 6, 6.2, 7, 7.1

* Competencies by Professional Body

CODE COMPETENCY
Australian Association of Social Workers
1.1 Practise in accordance with the AASW Code of Ethics
2 Professionalism
2.1 Represent the social work profession with integrity and professionalism
2.2 Behave in a professional manner and be accountable for all actions and decisions
3 Culturally responsive and inclusive practice
4 Knowledge for practice
4.1 Understand higher level systemic influences on people with respect to area of practice
4.2 Understand and articulate social work and other relevant theories and concepts
4.4 Understand and articulate how and when theories, knowledge bases and knowledge sources inform practice
5 Applying knowledge to practice
5.1 Assess and analyse needs to inform practice
5.2 Work collaboratively
5.3 Use a range of social work methods and techniques appropriate to the area of practice
5.4 Apply critical and reflective thinking to practice
6 Communication and interpersonal skills
6.2 Communicate the details and nature of the service offered to people
6.3 Work with others in a team environment
7 Information recording and sharing
7.1 Record and manage information appropriately

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

Students can receive feedback in tutorial regarding Task 2.

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 15%
3 quizzes Online Multiple choice 1 hour duration.
Quizzes are to be completed in weeks 3,6 and 10.
Refer to Format Online Test (Quiz)
All 3 Case Study Individual 30%
750 words
Week 8 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 4 Case Study Individual 45%
1800 - 2000 words
Week 13 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 must attend weekly tutorials and actively participate in all tutorial activities.
Product: Activity Participation
Format:
Tutorial attendance will be recorded to meet external AASW accreditation requirements. Student participation and engagement in tutorial activities assessed based upon attendance and participation across 11 tutorials.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Attendance and engagement in activities
1 5
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:
3 online quizzes, employing multiple choice, multiple answer and other question methods. You are required to log on to the Canvas site and complete the quiz by following the prompts. 
You have 1 hour to complete each quiz. The quizzes are open-book but must be completed independently.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Demonstration of understanding of sociocultural factors influencing mental health, physical health and wellbeing.
6
All - Assessment Task 3:Clinical Case Note
Goal:
Analyse a case study and complete a written case note that draws on learning from course readings and tutorial content.
Product: Case Study
Format:
You will be provided with a case study and required to use this information, informed by an evidence base, to complete a case note with the template provided. The case note will be a professional and non-biased documentation, that comprehensively details the client's physical and psychological health from a social work perspective.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Make explicit the judgements and evidence informing decisions. Documentation is accurate and comprehensive.
1
2
Gather pertinent information that informs the case note and provides service user perspectives.
4
3
Apply critical thought and judgement to formulate and document conclusions and decisions.
5
4
Demonstrate knowledge of sociocultural factors that influence the case study client
6
5
Demonstrate written communication skills reflective of an emerging social work professional.
7
All - Assessment Task 4:Biopsychosocial Risk Assessment
Goal:
Using a provided case study, you will develop a biopsychosocial assessment and treatment plan that includes a comprehensive assessment of risk and protective factors for the client. The biopsychosocial assessment will reflect social work informed understandings of physical and psychological wellbeing and provide appropriate recommendations for future care of the client.
Product: Case Study
Format:
Students are to use the provided case study and template to complete a biopsychosocial risk assessment that considers relevant risk and protective factors. The biopsychosocial assessment will be informed by knowledge gained from set readings and tutorial content.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Make explicit the judgements and evidence informing decisions and actions. Documentation is accurate and comprehensive.
1
2
Apply knowledge, theories and skills to formulate a holistic and comprehensive biopsychosocial risk assessment.
2
3
Analyse the case study to determine and clearly document the relevant risk and protective factors.
3
4
Gather and record pertinent information that incorporates the client perspective.
4
5
Apply critical thinking skills to inform professional decision making.
5
6
Demonstrate written communication skills reflective of an emerging social work professional.
7

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 John Germov 2019 Second Opinion 6th Oxford University Press, USA

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

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:

The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct.

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: 
- 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.

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