Overview
Organisations are encountered on a daily basis and shape the lives of people and communities, including service-users, clients and social workers themselves. A variety of human service organisations are located within complex social, political and cultural contexts; these, in turn, provide a vehicle for the implementation of policy and provision of human services by the welfare state. With social work practice predominantly taking place in, and shaped by, organisational context, developing an effective organisational practice is critical to the achievement of the aims and values of the social work profession. In this unit, you will develop knowledge of different organisational theoretical models to facilitate your ability to analyse and creatively consider organisational and system change. You will also develop and apply strategies to promote social and welfare work values of social justice and action the equality of opportunity in the provision of services to clients.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Successful completion of 48 credit points in any course.
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 Student feedback
Weekly reading material to be added to the weekly reading tile in the e-readings
Readings have been improved to be clearer and it is now easier to access the recommended resources each week.
- Research and analyse organisational theoretical models, within the context of social systems and change, and apply those models to professional practice within human service organisations
- Analyse a variety of organisational types and contexts, and evaluate their strengths and limitations in delivering human service organisation goals and social work outcomes
- Evaluate organisational models for cross-cultural practice, including working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
- Identify and apply appropriate strategies, consistent with professional values and ethics, for the resolution of dilemmas in organisational practice contexts.
The learning outcomes are aligned with the ASWEAS (2020) guidelines.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Online discussion forum - 15% | ||||
| 2 - Report - 35% | ||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 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 | ||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | |
| 1 - Online discussion forum - 15% | |||||||||||
| 2 - Report - 35% | |||||||||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 50% | |||||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Micorsoft Office
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.
h.hickson@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction
Chapter
Hughes & Wearing (2017). Chapter 1. ‘Social Work in Organisations’ in Organisations and Management in Social Work. Available in e-reading list
Events and Submissions/Topic
Overview of the subject and assessments. Introduction to human service organisations and social work roles in organisations.
Look at the learning activities and other recommended readings in the Moodle page.
Foundations of Academic Integrity Program: Complete your annual program.
Module/Topic
Organisational concepts and theories
Chapter
Ozanne, E & Rose, D (2013), The Organisational Context of Human Service Practice, chapter 2, ‘Theoretical perspectives on human service organisations.’, Palgrave Macmillan, South Yarra. Available in e-reading list
Events and Submissions/Topic
Organisational practice concepts and theories of motivation, bureaucracy, scientific management, human relations approach - emergence of theory X and theory Y and human relations contexts
Look at the learning activities and other recommended readings in the Moodle page.
Module/Topic
Organisational Analysis
Chapter
Hasenfeld, Y. (2000) Organizational forms as moral practices: The case of welfare departments. The Social Service Review. Vol 74(3), pp 329- 253.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Understanding organisational environment analysis and its relevance to social work roles
Look at the learning activities and other recommended readings in the Moodle page.
Understanding Organisations Due: Week 3 Wednesday (25 Mar 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Organisational Change
Chapter
Jones and May (1992). Chapter 10. Change and resistance in organisations in Working in human service organisations: a critical introduction. Longman Cheshire.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Understanding the factors that influence how organisations change and the role of social workers as change agents
Look at the learning activities and other recommended readings in the Moodle page.
Module/Topic
Organisational culture
Chapter
Schein, E. (2004). Concept of organizational culture : why bother? In Edgar H. Schein, Organizational culture and leadership (3rd ed.., pp. 3–23). Jossey-Bass.
Agbényiga. (2011). Organizational culture-performance link in the human services setting. Administration in Social Work, 35(5).
Events and Submissions/Topic
Understanding the culture of an organisation and the social work role in supporting organizational culture.
Look at the learning activities and other recommended readings in the Moodle page.
Module/Topic
Leadership and Decision making
Chapter
Vito, R. (2020) How do social work leaders understand and ideally practice leadership? A synthesis of core leadership practices, Journal of Social Work Practice, 34:3, 263-279. Available in e-reading list
Events and Submissions/Topic
Understanding different types of leadership roles in human service organisations and the role of social workers as community leaders
Look at the learning activities and other recommended readings in the Moodle page.
Module/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 timetabled learning activities. Please use this week to progress your assessments.
Module/Topic
Organisational Practices
Chapter
Bland, R. 2015). Chapter 1. A starting point: Understanding social work in mental health, in Social work practice in mental health : an introduction (Bland, Renouf and Tullgren, Eds.; Second edition). Sydney : Allen & Unwin.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Understanding the organisational roles and rules that influence the decisions that organisations make.
Look at the learning activities and other recommended readings in the Moodle page.
Module/Topic
Working in Private Practice
Chapter
Search in the CQU Library for journal articles about working in private practice.
Events and Submissions/Topic
This week is about working in private practice.
Look at the learning activities and other recommended readings in the Moodle page.
Organisational Analysis Due: Week 8 Wednesday (6 May 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Working in human service organisations
Chapter
Maidment, J. (2009). Working in organizations. In Beddoe & Maidment, Mapping knowledge for social work practice : critical intersections (1st ed.., pp. 70–85). Cengage Learning.
Events and Submissions/Topic
This week is about working in human service organisations, and includes professional identity, social work roles and some of the challenges of working in human service organisations.
Look at the learning activities and other recommended readings in the Moodle page.
Module/Topic
Accountability and Participation
Chapter
Payne, M. (2000) Power Issues in Open Teamwork. In Payne, Teamwork in multiprofessional care (pp. 141–167). Macmillan.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Understanding the requirements of accountability, performance measurements and active participation in human service organisations.
Look at the learning activities and other recommended readings in the Moodle page.
Module/Topic
Resistance and Advocacy
Chapter
McDonald, C. (2011). Chapter 9, Power and advocacy. In Professional practice in human service organisations : a practical guide for human service workers (pp. 183–203). Allen & Unwin.
Events and Submissions/Topic
This week is about resistance and advocacy in human service organisations.
Look at the learning activities and other recommended readings in the Moodle page.
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.
Module/Topic
Reflective practice and ethics in organisations
Chapter
Morley, C., & O’Bree, C. (2021). Critical Reflection: An Imperative Skill for Social Work Practice in Neoliberal Organisations? Social Sciences 10, no. 3: 97.
Events and Submissions/Topic
This week is about reflective practice and ethics in human service organisations.
Summary of unit topic
Understanding the social work role in human service organisations
Look at the learning activities and other recommended readings in the Moodle page.
Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation survey – Please complete the unit evaluation survey.
Congratulations on completing this unit. Don’t forget to check your unit enrolments for next term.
Working in Human Service Organisations Due: Week 12 Wednesday (3 June 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/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 Online discussion forum
Aim
The aim of this assessment is for you to demonstrate your understanding of human service organisations and the context of social work practice. Importantly, the assessment will require you to consider how social workers can work effectively within organisations and develop strategies to deal with complex practice issues in the context of an agency setting.
Instructions (Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site),
Academic Integrity
1. 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.
2. The use of any generative artificial intelligence is permitted as per Level 2 (AI planning) AI Assessment scale tool indicators:
a. Gen AI content editing and proofreading.
b. Checking spelling and grammar.
c. CQUniversity’s Gen AI tools approved for use in this assessment are Microsoft Copilot (protected version), Studiosity and Grammarly.
3. Any use of Gen AI software:
a. Must be cited in the relevant sections.
b. Must be referenced as per APA 7th guidelines.
You must complete the declaration of Gen AI use on the title page of your 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.
In accordance with policy, any marks and/or grades for assessments released to students prior to Certification of Grades are provisional and are subject to moderation and confirmation through the relevant Program and Divisional Assessment Committees.
Extensions: Available as per policy
The 72-hour grace period may apply to this assessment
Week 3 Wednesday (25 Mar 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
submit via the unit Moodle site in in MS Word format only,
Week 6 Wednesday (15 Apr 2026)
Students will be advised of the release of marked assignments
Assessment criteria will be available in the Moodle site’.
- Research and analyse organisational theoretical models, within the context of social systems and change, and apply those models to professional practice within human service organisations
- Identify and apply appropriate strategies, consistent with professional values and ethics, for the resolution of dilemmas in organisational practice contexts.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Ethical practice
2 Report
Aim
The aim of this assessment is for you to demonstrate your ability to explore the connection between organisational practice theories and social work practice. In this assessment you will develop your knowledge and skills about organisational theory and practice and reflect on the theoretical perspectives that influence social work practice in human service organisations.
Instructions (Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site),
Academic Integrity
1. 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.
2. The use of any generative artificial intelligence is permitted as per Level 2 (AI planning) AI Assessment scale tool indicators:
a. Gen AI content editing and proofreading.
b. Checking spelling and grammar.
Extensions: Available as per policy
The 72-hour grace period may apply to this assessment
c. CQUniversity’s Gen AI tools approved for use in this assessment are Microsoft Copilot (protected version), Studiosity and Grammarly.
3. Any use of Gen AI software:
a. Must be cited in the relevant sections.
b. Must be referenced as per APA 7th guidelines.
You must complete the declaration of Gen AI use on the title page of your 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)
Students will be advised of the release of marked assignments
Assessment criteria will be available in the Moodle site’.
- Research and analyse organisational theoretical models, within the context of social systems and change, and apply those models to professional practice within human service organisations
- Evaluate organisational models for cross-cultural practice, including working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Ethical practice
3 Written Assessment
Aim
The aim of this assessment is for you to demonstrate your knowledge of social work practice in human service organisations and in private practice in Australia.
Instructions (Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site),
Academic Integrity
1. 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.
2. The use of any generative artificial intelligence is permitted as per Level 2 (AI planning) AI Assessment scale tool indicators:
a. Gen AI content editing and proofreading.
b. Checking spelling and grammar.
c. CQUniversity’s Gen AI tools approved for use in this assessment are Microsoft Copilot (protected version), Studiosity and Grammarly.
3. Any use of Gen AI software:
a. Must be cited in the relevant sections.
b. Must be referenced as per APA 7th guidelines.
You must complete the declaration of Gen AI use on the title page of your 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.
In accordance with policy, any marks and/or grades for assessments released to students prior to Certification of Grades are provisional and are subject to moderation and confirmation through the relevant Program and Divisional Assessment Committees.
Extensions: Available as per policy
The 72-hour grace period may apply to this assessment
Week 12 Wednesday (3 June 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
The 72-hour grace period does apply to this assessment
Vacation/Exam Week Wednesday (17 June 2026)
Results for this assessment will be made available on Wednesday 24 June 2026 4pm (AEST)
Assessment criteria will be available in the Moodle site’.
- Analyse a variety of organisational types and contexts, and evaluate their strengths and limitations in delivering human service organisation goals and social work outcomes
- Identify and apply appropriate strategies, consistent with professional values and ethics, for the resolution of dilemmas in organisational practice contexts.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Ethical practice
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?
