Skip to Main Content
Catalogue Link
<a href="/ords/r/dev/fed_occ/home" class="t-Header-logo-link"><span class="apex-logo-text">Handbook</span></a>
Hidden Page Items
New
7
New
HE Unit Template
New
Integrative Social Work Practice
New
BSWUG4005 - Integrative Social Work Practice
New
20250100
New
New
New
New
Course
New
Unit
New
New
2.3
New
New
2026-06-16
New
2026-06-16
New
Social Work, Community & Human Services
New
New
New
New
Institute of Education, Arts & Community
New
Social Work, Community & Human Services
New
New
15
New
New
.125
New
090501
New
Social Work
New
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/bswug4005">090501 - Social Work</a>
New
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
New
7
New
Bachelor Degree
New
Advanced
New
New
New
New
1
New
New
New
New
New
false
New
New
New
<p>The unit draws together theories and practice frameworks that are covered in the degree and will prepare students to begin their professional journey as an entry-level social work practitioner. Using an integrative practice model, students will examine and analyse what it means to develop a professional identity as a social worker who is required to take into account social context, client needs and capacities and professional knowledge, theory, skills and values. The course examines complexity and uncertainty in social work, and the current dominant trends influencing human services environments, such as neo-liberalism and managerialism and their impact on social work practice. Students will also consider the implications of what it is to be a critical practitioner in the development of their professional identity. Using case studies from diverse fields of practice students will examine and explore the social, political and ethical dimensions of their professional self and implications for practice as they prepare to enter the field.</p>
New
New
<p class="ql-align-justify"><strong >Setting the scene for integrative practice</strong></p>
<ul>
<li class="ql-align-justify">What does an Integrative practice Model look like?</li>
<li class="ql-align-justify">Setting the scene for integrative practice:</li>
</ul>
<p>a). Complexity and Uncertainty in work with clients (social context)</p>
<p>b). Neoliberalism: working in management and/or with management</p>
<p>c). working with evidence as a practitioner</p>
<ul>
<li class="ql-align-justify">What are the components of a critical practitioner and critical decision-making tool?</li>
</ul>
<p class="ql-align-justify"><br></p>
<p class="ql-align-justify"><strong >The Social Worker in the human services system</strong></p>
<ul>
<li class="ql-align-justify">Supervision and being supervised</li>
<li class="ql-align-justify">Managing change in social work</li>
<li class="ql-align-justify">Role of research in practice</li>
<li class="ql-align-justify">Working within government departments, devolved responsibility, legal and statutory contexts</li>
<li class="ql-align-justify">Ongoing professional development</li>
</ul>
<p class="ql-align-justify"><br></p>
<p class="ql-align-justify"><strong >Applying Case Studies to Integrative Practice Framework</strong></p>
<ul>
<li class="ql-align-justify">Understanding uncertainty and complexity through case studies</li>
<li class="ql-align-justify">Case studies may include complex practice scenarios in the contexts of contracted programs, government departments, social work at the managerial level, small community-based programs and/or large international not-for-profit organisations.</li>
</ul>
<p><br></p>
New
true
New
<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
New
true
Hidden Page Items
Semester
Semester
0200
Year
Year
2026
Current Year
2026
Breadcrumb Positioning
Handbook
BSWUG4005 - Integrative Social Work Practice
Pseudo Breadcrumb
BSWUG4005 - Integrative Social Work Practice
Breadcrumb Type
Unit
Catalogue Term and Year
Version Text
You are viewing a version for
Semester
Semester 1
Semester 2
Summer Semester
Year
2026
Download PDF
RDS Holder
Overview
Key information
Requisites
Learning outcomes
Assessment
FedTASK
Parent Region
Overview
Unit description
<p>The unit draws together theories and practice frameworks that are covered in the degree and will prepare students to begin their professional journey as an entry-level social work practitioner. Using an integrative practice model, students will examine and analyse what it means to develop a professional identity as a social worker who is required to take into account social context, client needs and capacities and professional knowledge, theory, skills and values. The course examines complexity and uncertainty in social work, and the current dominant trends influencing human services environments, such as neo-liberalism and managerialism and their impact on social work practice. Students will also consider the implications of what it is to be a critical practitioner in the development of their professional identity. Using case studies from diverse fields of practice students will examine and explore the social, political and ethical dimensions of their professional self and implications for practice as they prepare to enter the field.</p>
Unit content
<p class="ql-align-justify"><strong >Setting the scene for integrative practice</strong></p> <ul> <li class="ql-align-justify">What does an Integrative practice Model look like?</li> <li class="ql-align-justify">Setting the scene for integrative practice:</li> </ul> <p>a). Complexity and Uncertainty in work with clients (social context)</p> <p>b). Neoliberalism: working in management and/or with management</p> <p>c). working with evidence as a practitioner</p> <ul> <li class="ql-align-justify">What are the components of a critical practitioner and critical decision-making tool?</li> </ul> <p class="ql-align-justify"><br></p> <p class="ql-align-justify"><strong >The Social Worker in the human services system</strong></p> <ul> <li class="ql-align-justify">Supervision and being supervised</li> <li class="ql-align-justify">Managing change in social work</li> <li class="ql-align-justify">Role of research in practice</li> <li class="ql-align-justify">Working within government departments, devolved responsibility, legal and statutory contexts</li> <li class="ql-align-justify">Ongoing professional development</li> </ul> <p class="ql-align-justify"><br></p> <p class="ql-align-justify"><strong >Applying Case Studies to Integrative Practice Framework</strong></p> <ul> <li class="ql-align-justify">Understanding uncertainty and complexity through case studies</li> <li class="ql-align-justify">Case studies may include complex practice scenarios in the contexts of contracted programs, government departments, social work at the managerial level, small community-based programs and/or large international not-for-profit organisations.</li> </ul> <p><br></p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Education, Arts & Community
Discipline:
Social Work, Community & Human Services
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/bswug4005">090501 - Social Work</a>
Offering:
<p><strong>Spring Semester</strong><p>Berwick (On Campus)</p><p>Gippsland - Churchill (On Campus)</p></p> <p><strong>Winter Semester</strong><p>Ballarat - Mt Helen (On Campus)</p></p>
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Requisites
Prerequisite
<p> must have completed 6 of <a href="/ords/r/dev/fed_occ/course?p6_code=BSWUG1001" target="_blank">BSWUG1001</a>/<a href="/ords/r/dev/fed_occ/course?p6_code=BSWUG1002" target="_blank">BSWUG1002</a>/<a href="/ords/r/dev/fed_occ/course?p6_code=BSWUG2003" target="_blank">BSWUG2003</a>/<a href="/ords/r/dev/fed_occ/course?p6_code=BSWUG2005" target="_blank">BSWUG2005</a>/<a href="/ords/r/dev/fed_occ/course?p6_code=BSWUG3001" target="_blank">BSWUG3001</a>/<a href="/ords/r/dev/fed_occ/course?p6_code=BSWUG3002" target="_blank">BSWUG3002</a>/<a href="/ords/r/dev/fed_occ/course?p6_code=BSWUG3003" target="_blank">BSWUG3003</a>/<a href="/ords/r/dev/fed_occ/course?p6_code=BSWUG3004" target="_blank">BSWUG3004</a>/<a href="/ords/r/dev/fed_occ/course?p6_code=BSWUG3005" target="_blank">BSWUG3005</a>/<a href="/ords/r/dev/fed_occ/course?p6_code=BSWUG3006" target="_blank">BSWUG3006</a>/<a href="/ords/r/dev/fed_occ/course?p6_code=BSWUG4001" target="_blank">BSWUG4001</a>/<a href="/ords/r/dev/fed_occ/course?p6_code=BSWUG4002" target="_blank">BSWUG4002</a>/<a href="/ords/r/dev/fed_occ/course?p6_code=BSWUG4003" target="_blank">BSWUG4003</a>/<a href="/ords/r/dev/fed_occ/course?p6_code=BSWUG4004" target="_blank">BSWUG4004</a>/<a href="/ords/r/dev/fed_occ/course?p6_code=BSWUG4005" target="_blank">BSWUG4005</a></p>
Corequisite
None
Exclusion
None
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
<p>On successful completion of this unit, students are expected to gain the following [K]nowledge, [S]kills and [A]pplication of knowledge & skills</p>
Learning Outcomes
Ref
Outcome
K1
<p>Critically examine integrative practice and its role in social work practice;</p>
K2
<p>Appraise and evaluate how uncertainty and complexity impact on individuals, families and communities in diverse social work contexts;</p>
K3
<p>Critically appraise the impact of neo-liberalism management practises on general social work practice and how social workers balance the complex tasks of working with and/or in managerial roles;</p>
K4
<p>Develop research awareness as part of developing expertise in evaluating evidence for developing appropriate social work interventions;</p>
K5
<p>Propose solutions to real world case scenarios in social work practice by integrating social/professional context, client’s needs, service delivery and service provision and professional values and;</p>
K6
<p>Critically reflect on your emerging professional identity as a critical practitioner working within an integrative practice framework in the human services context.</p>
S1
<p>Use an integrative practice model to assess appropriate social work interventions in practice in a range of contexts;</p>
S2
<p>Develop critical awareness of professional purpose taking account of context, clients and service users’ needs and capacities, and professional knowledge, theory, skills and values;</p>
S3
<p>Apply critical thought and judgement in identifying and solving problems with intellectual independence</p>
S4
<p>Recognise the impact of working with uncertainty and complexity and engaging in critical reflection as part of continuing development of professional social work identity and;</p>
S5
<p>Develop skills to evaluate evidence and make explicit the judgements and evidence-informing decisions and actions in oral and/or written form.</p>
A1
<p>Develop skills to apply knowledge to practice by taking into consideration social context, client’s needs and capacities, service provision and delivery and professional values;</p>
A2
<p>Develop skills to engage in ongoing professional development and lifelong professional earning as a social work practitioner and;</p>
A3
<p>Develop critical awareness of how to manage and work with uncertainty and complexity and broader neo-liberal discourses that influence social work practice.</p>
Assessment
Learning Tasks and Assessment
Ref
Learning task
Assessment type
Weighting
Learning outcomes assessed
1
<p>Critical learning exercises will explore key concepts covered in the course using a range of written and/or oral activities.</p>
<p>Learning Portfolio</p>
<p>20-40%</p>
K1, K6, S2, S3, S4, A3
2
<p>Critically reflect on your developing professional identity as an emerging practitioner with consideration to your lived experiences and your learning through the social work program.</p>
<p>Critical Reflection Essay</p>
<p>20-40%</p>
K1, K2, K3, K6, S2, S3, S4, A1, A2, A3
3
<p>Analyse a case study by applying a critical decision-making tool to present an integrated, coherent and analytical approach to practice.</p>
<p>Case Study Analysis</p>
<p>30-50%</p>
K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, A1, A3
Supplementary assessment available:
Yes
Supplimentary assessment information:
<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
FedTASK
FedTASK
<p>Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FedTASKs (<strong>T</strong>ransferable <strong>A</strong>ttributes <strong>S</strong>kills and <strong>K</strong>nowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key, transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and co-operative learning opportunities.</p>
FedTASK
Description of FedTASK outcome
Level
FedTASK 1: Interpersonal
The ability to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK 2: Leadership
The ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK 3: Critical Thinking and Creativity
The ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using imagination to create new ideas.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK 4: Digital Literacy
The ability to work fluently across a range of tools and applications to achieve a range of skills.
FedTASK 5: Sustainable and Ethical Mindset
The ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Education, Arts & Community
Discipline:
Social Work, Community & Human Services
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/bswug4005">090501 - Social Work</a>
Offering:
<p><strong>Spring Semester</strong><p>Berwick (On Campus)</p><p>Gippsland - Churchill (On Campus)</p></p> <p><strong>Winter Semester</strong><p>Ballarat - Mt Helen (On Campus)</p></p>
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Disclaimer
<em>Information in the Federation Handbook is correct at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to alter any course, unit, procedure or fee.</em>
Additional information
Add Info Static Text
Internal reference: BSWUG4005 - U2.3