Overview
This unit will introduce you to social work and human services in Australia and the changing context for professional practice within contemporary society. You will develop an understanding of the historical and cultural context of social work, and human services more broadly, within the Australian welfare state and how these services are currently organised and delivered. You will be able to conceptualise social justice, inequality and disadvantage and their significance to professional practice. You will understand the values, ethics and principles of social work and human services, and how these inform methods of practice. This unit will focus on the human services context of professional practice and the broader challenges and opportunities within the social services sector. Consideration will be given to reflective practice and the 'use of self' and how social workers navigate complex systems of service delivery.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2026
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Via evaluation and direct feedback
Students provided feedback on the assessments, stating each were helpful in their learning. There was some feedback that some of the assessments were difficult
The assessments were reviewed and greater support offered to students with exemplars, ALC support and drop in sessions
- Examine the historical and contemporary context of service delivery within Australian human service organisations;
- Critique the concepts of social justice, and inequality, and how these inform professional social work practice within Australian human service organisations;
- Appraise the key values, ethics, principles and models of practice that inform professional practice in social work and human services;
- Demonstrate critically reflective practice techniques.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 20% | ||||
| 2 - Reflective Practice Assignment - 30% | ||||
| 3 - Case Study - 50% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | ||||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Textbooks
The Road to Social Work and Human Service Practice
- Edition: 7 (2023)
- Authors: Donna McAuliffe, Jennifer Boddy, Lesley Chenoweth
- Cengage
- Australia
- ISBN: 9780170470940
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Microsoft Word
- Service from Academic Learning Centre
- CQUniveristy Library Resources
- Zoom Account ( Free)
- CQUniversity Library search engines for research articles
- CQUniversity Library Nursing/Midwifery/Social Work Resources
- Endnote bibliographic software. This is optional for formatting references
- Zoom app on your smart phone or access to Zoom on your laptop Zoom (both microphone and webcam capability)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
j.mcnamara@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 09 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Welcome to SOWK11014
Chapter
Review the Moodle site and click on all the links.
Find out what is in Student Support?
Find out how to find the Library?
Click on the link and learn what is in the Academic Learning Centre.
1: Starting the journey: an introduction to social work and human service practice
3: Locating the lighthouse: values and ethics in practice
Please locate these chapters and further weekly readings via the eReading List
Please contact TASAC if you are unable to access or locate readings.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Pre-recorded Lecture - Welcome and Introduction
Live Zoom Tutorial: What is social work for you? - positioning your emerging professional identity
All tutorials are guided by group work learning processes. Please be prepared to dynamically engage in the sessions.
Tuesday 10th March
11:00am - 12:00pm (AEST)
Announcements and Discussion Forums: Check for posts and updates.
Week 2
Begin Date: 16 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Past to Present: History of social work and contemporary practice
Chapter
2: Surveying the landscape: historical and philosophical foundations for practice
Please locate further weekly reading via the eReading List
Events and Submissions/Topic
Pre-recorded Lecture - History of Social Work
Live Zoom Tutorial: Reflective Discussion - history of social work
Tuesday 17th March
11:00am - 12:00pm (AEST)
Announcements and Discussion Forums: Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 3
Begin Date: 23 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Current and past discourses influencing social work practice
Chapter
7: Negotiating the maze: the organisational context of practice (pp. 187 - 198)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Pre-recorded Lecture/s - Mini lecture series on discourses shaping social work
Live Zoom Tutorial: How do discourses shape professional practice?
Tuesday 24th March
11:00am - 12:00pm (AEST)
Live Zoom Session - Assessment 1 Q/A
Monday 23rd March
1:00pm - 2:00pm (AEST)
Census Date is next week. If you are struggling, please contact your Unit Coordinator for help.
Week 4
Begin Date: 30 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Importance of reflective practice and use of self
Chapter
4: Treading carefully: professional practice and ethical standards
Please locate the eReadings list for further readings on reflective practice and use of self.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Pre-recorded Lecture/s - Mini lecture series on reflective practice and use of self
Live Zoom Tutorial: Scaffolding sense of self through peer reflection
Tuesday 31st March
11:00am - 12:00pm (AEST)
Census Date - Tuesday Week 4
Assessment - Social work and concepts informing practice Due: Week 4 Wednesday (1 Apr 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Week 5
Begin Date: 06 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Inequality, poverty: the role of social work
Chapter
Please locate the eReadings list for this weeks readings on inequality and power.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Pre-recorded Lecture/s - Mini lecture series on inequality and poverty
Live Zoom Tutorial: Becoming 'poverty aware': Reflecting on our assumptions about poverty
Tuesday 7th April
11:00am - 12:00pm (AEST)
Week 6
Begin Date: 13 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Social justice: Power and inequality
Chapter
Please locate the eReadings list for this weeks readings on power and inequality.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Pre-recorded Lecture - Working toward social justice (2 part series)
Live Zoom Tutorial: Reflecting on power and inequality in our local communities - what can we learn from each other?
Tuesday 14th April
11:00am - 12:00pm (AEST)
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 20 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Vacation Week
Chapter
Please use this mid-term break as an opportunity to rest and recover. Enjoy your break!
Events and Submissions/Topic
No scheduled learning activities for this week. Please use this week to progress your assessments.
Week 7
Begin Date: 27 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Introduction to the knowledge base of social work
Chapter
5: Finding the right maps: the knowledge base of practice
Events and Submissions/Topic
Pre-recorded Lecture - Is social work feminist enough?
Live Zoom Tutorial: Group work - What knowledge systems inform social work and how? What are the contentions?
Tuesday 28th April
5:00 - 6:00pm (AEST)
Live Zoom Session - Assessment 2 Q/A
Monday 27th April
1:00pm - 2:00pm (AEST)
Week 8
Begin Date: 04 May 2026Module/Topic
Developing skills and knowledge for culturally respectful practice
Chapter
9: Traversing landscapes: working with oppression and privilege (pp. 249 - 267)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Pre-recorded Lecture - Decolonised and Culturally Inclusive Practice
Live Zoom Tutorial: Reflecting on the macro influences through cultural humility
Tuesday 5th May
5:00 - 6:00pm (AEST)
Assessment - Reflective Practice Assignment Due: Week 8 Wednesday (6 May 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Week 9
Begin Date: 11 May 2026Module/Topic
Eco-social work and climate justice
Chapter
Please locate the eReadings list for this weeks readings on eco-social work and climate justice.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Pre-recorded Lecture - Eco social work
Live Zoom Tutorial: Exploring the UN sustainable development goals to think globally when acting locally
Tuesday 12th May
5:00 - 6:00pm (AEST)
Week 10
Begin Date: 18 May 2026Module/Topic
Guest speaker - understanding the service user perspective
Chapter
Please locate the eReadings list for readings on the service user perspective.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Pre-recorded Interview with International Guest Speaker
Live Zoom Tutorial: Reflecting on the International Guest Speaker Interview - drawing parallels on anti-oppressive practice to Australian context
Tuesday 19th May
5:00 - 6:00pm (AEST)
Don't forget - Check your unit enrolments for next term.
Week 11
Begin Date: 25 May 2026Module/Topic
Guest speaker - international social work perspective on social justice
Chapter
Please locate the eReading list for readings on international perspectives of social justice.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Pre-recorded interview with International Guest Speaker
Live Zoom Session - Assessment 3 Q/A
Monday 25th May
1:00- 2:00pm (AEST)
Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation survey - We encourage you to provide feedback about your unit and teaching experiences in this unit. The survey opens Week 11 and closes one week before release of grades.
Week 12
Begin Date: 01 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Bringing it all together
Chapter
10: New Journeys - Developing a Practice Framework
Events and Submissions/Topic
Pre-recorded Lecture - Self care
Live Zoom Tutorial: Reflecting on your values and knowledge development over the past 12 weeks for emerging social work PPF
Tuesday 2nd June
5:00 - 6:00pm (AEST)
Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation survey - We encourage you to provide feedback about your unit and teaching experiences in this unit. The survey opens Week 11 and closes one week before release of grades.
Congratulations on completing this unit. Don't forget to check your unit enrolments for next term.
Assessment - Case Study Due: Week 12 Wednesday (3 June 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Exam Week
Begin Date: 08 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation/Exam Week
Begin Date: 15 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
As this unit is offered online, students are asked to prepare their own individual study plan to undertake self-led and self-directed study throughout the term. A key to your success is a strategic self-directed approach to learning and regular contact with your Unit Coordinator/s. Please check the Announcements and Discussion forums at least twice a week – there will be regular announcements about assessments and unit resources throughout the term and reviewing this information is essential to unit knowledge and your success. CQUniversity communicates with students through CQUniversity email. We recommend that you access your CQUniversity email at least twice a week so that you do not miss vital information about your studies.
1 Written Assessment
As an emerging social worker, it is important to understand social workers' historical and current context in addressing social injustice. The aim of this assessment is for you to demonstrate your understanding of the concepts of social justice and inequality and the role of social work historically and currently, with a focus on the Australian cultural context.
Instructions
Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site.
Academic Integrity
You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time. This assessment requires students to adhere to the guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence tools as specified in the Artificial Intelligence Assessment Scale (AIAS). Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity. No Generative AI use is permitted in the completion of this assignment. You must not use AI tools or technology to produce substantive content. You are permitted to use technology or tools that assist with spelling, grammar or formatting.
The use of any generative artificial intelligence is permitted as per Level 2 (AI planning) AI Assessment scale tool indicators:
- Gen AI content is used to generate ideas and general structures.
- Gen AI content editing and proofreading.
- Checking spelling and grammar.
- CQUniversity’s Gen AI tools approved for use in this assessment are Microsoft Copilot (protected version), Studiosity and Grammarly.
Any use of Gen AI software:
- Must be cited in the relevant sections.
- Must be referenced as per APA 7th guidelines.
- You must complete the declaration of Gen AI use on the title page of your assessment.
Extensions
Available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period may apply to this assessment
Minimum Pass Criteria
You must achieve a minimum grade of 49.5% to pass this assessment.
AND
You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit. In the event you are eligible for a supplementary assessment, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
Week 4 Wednesday (1 Apr 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
submit via the unit Moodle site in in MS Word format only
Vacation Week Wednesday (22 Apr 2026)
Refer to the marking rubric on the Moodle site for more detail on how marks will be assigned.
- Examine the historical and contemporary context of service delivery within Australian human service organisations;
- Critique the concepts of social justice, and inequality, and how these inform professional social work practice within Australian human service organisations;
2 Reflective Practice Assignment
The aim of this assessment is for you to demonstrate an understanding of the key values, ethics, and principles of the social work profession to become a competent, ethical practitioner. Reflective practice enables you to critically analyse your work, facilitating an objective view of your skills, abilities, and approaches, allowing you to continually improve your practice. Reflecting on key values, ethics and principles is a critical skill for all social workers and human services professionals.
Please note, some of the content in this assessment may be sensitive or confronting, so please approach it with care and seek support from CQUniversity Counselling and Wellbeing if needed.
Instructions
Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site.
Academic Integrity
You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time. This assessment requires students to adhere to the guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence tools as specified in the Artificial Intelligence Assessment Scale (AIAS). Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity. No Generative AI use is permitted in the completion of this assignment. You must not use AI tools or technology to produce substantive content. You are permitted to use technology or tools that assist with spelling, grammar or formatting.
The use of any generative artificial intelligence is permitted as per Level 2 (AI planning) AI Assessment scale tool indicators:
- Gen AI content is used to generate ideas and general structures.
- Gen AI content editing and proofreading.
- Checking spelling and grammar.
- CQUniversity’s Gen AI tools approved for use in this assessment are Microsoft Copilot (protected version), Studiosity and Grammarly.
Any use of Gen AI software must be:
Must be cited in the relevant sections.
Must be referenced as per APA 7th guidelines.
You must complete the declaration of Gen AI use on the title page of your assessment.
Extensions
Available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period may apply to this assessment
Minimum Pass Criteria
You must achieve a minimum grade of 49.5% to pass this assessment.
AND
You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit. In the event you are eligible for a supplementary assessment, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
Week 8 Wednesday (6 May 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
submit via the unit Moodle site in in MS Word format only
Week 11 Wednesday (27 May 2026)
Refer to the marking rubric on the Moodle site for more detail on how marks will be assigned.
- Appraise the key values, ethics, principles and models of practice that inform professional practice in social work and human services;
- Demonstrate critically reflective practice techniques.
3 Case Study
The aim of this assessment is for you to demonstrate your understanding of how social work addresses social justice and human rights issues. Drawing on the unit materials and following your participation in a weekly tutorial (details provided in Moodle), you will identify a social issue that leads to inequality. Drawing on evidence, discuss how social work contributes to addressing the social issue. Issues may include, for example, domestic and family violence, youth or adult justice, drug and alcohol, homelessness, child protection, mental health, and poverty. Consider the strategies and challenges for social work in addressing the issues at a macro level.
Instructions
Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site.
Academic Integrity
You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time. This assessment requires students to adhere to the guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence tools as specified in the Artificial Intelligence Assessment Scale (AIAS). Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity. No Generative AI use is permitted in the completion of this assignment. You must not use AI tools or technology to produce substantive content. You are permitted to use technology or tools that assist with spelling, grammar or formatting.
The use of any generative artificial intelligence is permitted as per Level 2 (AI planning) AI Assessment scale tool indicators:
- Gen AI content is used to generate ideas and general structures.
- Gen AI content editing and proofreading.
- Checking spelling and grammar.
- CQUniversity’s Gen AI tools approved for use in this assessment are Microsoft Copilot (protected version), Studiosity and Grammarly.
Any use of Gen AI software must be:
- Must be cited in the relevant sections.
- Must be referenced as per APA 7th guidelines.
- You must complete the declaration of Gen AI use on the title page of your assessment.
Extensions
Available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period may apply to this assessment
Minimum Pass Criteria
You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit. In the event you are eligible for a supplementary assessment, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
Week 12 Wednesday (3 June 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
submit via the unit Moodle site in in MS Word format only
Assessments will be returned 24/6/2026
Refer to the marking rubric on the Moodle site for more detail on how marks will be assigned.
- Critique the concepts of social justice, and inequality, and how these inform professional social work practice within Australian human service organisations;
- Appraise the key values, ethics, principles and models of practice that inform professional practice in social work and human services;
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
