Theoretical Approaches to Social Work Practice PG (12016.1)
Please note these are the 2026 details for this unit
| Available teaching periods | Delivery mode | Location |
|---|---|---|
| View teaching periods | Intensive |
UC - Canberra, Online |
| EFTSL | Credit points | Faculty |
| 0.125 | 3 | Faculty Of Health |
| Discipline | Study level | HECS Bands |
| Discipline Of Social Work | Post Graduate Level | Band 2 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021) Band 2 2021 (Prof Pathway Social Work- After 1 Jan 2021) Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021) |
This unit has an in-person on-campus intensive component. This unit focuses on developing a framework of practice for working directly with individuals, groups and families. Students will explore the various approaches, models and theories of social work practice focusing on systems theory, strengths-based approaches, crisis theory, anti-oppressive approaches, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Solution focused and group and family-based models. Further students will develop skills in working with service users and carers in an experiential learning environment through engagement with case scenarios and simulated practice settings.
1. Analyse, synthesise and communicate social work theories, approaches and models;
2. Critically apply knowledge of theories, skills and processes in social work practice scenarios; and
3. Demonstrate ability to work with service users, carers, groups, communities and stakeholders and colleagues irrespective of age, gender, disability, socio-economic background, ethnicity, or sexuality.
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - apply their knowledge to working with Indigenous Australians in socially just ways
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - communicate and engage with Indigenous Australians in ethical and culturally respectful ways
12013 Working with Diverse Communities PG AND
12014 Psychosocial Health Across the Lifecycle PG AND
12015 Ethical and Legal Contexts of Social Work Practice PG
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:1. Analyse, synthesise and communicate social work theories, approaches and models;
2. Critically apply knowledge of theories, skills and processes in social work practice scenarios; and
3. Demonstrate ability to work with service users, carers, groups, communities and stakeholders and colleagues irrespective of age, gender, disability, socio-economic background, ethnicity, or sexuality.
Graduate attributes
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - apply their knowledge to working with Indigenous Australians in socially just ways
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - communicate and engage with Indigenous Australians in ethical and culturally respectful ways
Prerequisites
12012 Social Work in Global, Regional and Local contexts PG AND12013 Working with Diverse Communities PG AND
12014 Psychosocial Health Across the Lifecycle PG AND
12015 Ethical and Legal Contexts of Social Work Practice PG
Corequisites
None.Incompatible units
None.Equivalent units
None.Assumed knowledge
None.
Availability for enrolment in 2026 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
| Year | Location | Teaching period | Teaching start date | Delivery mode | Unit convener |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | UC - Canberra, Online | Study Block 3 | 12 May 2025 | Intensive | Prof Lynne Keevers |
| 2025 | UC - Canberra, Online | Study Block 6 | 27 October 2025 | Intensive | Prof Lynne Keevers |
| 2026 | UC - Canberra, Online | Study Block 3 | 11 May 2026 | Intensive | Prof Lynne Keevers |
| 2026 | UC - Canberra, Online | Study Block 6 | 26 October 2026 | Intensive | Prof Lynne Keevers |
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit
timetable.
Required texts
Please note: All readings related to the course are digitised and a reading list, with links to online readings, will be available on the Unit Canvas site.
The following texts form part of the required readings and may be useful for broader understanding of the unit of study:
- Harms, L. (2015) Working with People: Communication Skills for Reflective Practice (2nd Edition, reprinted 2021) Oxford University Press
- Payne, M. (2020) Modern Social Work Theory (5th ed.). Bloomsbury Academic.
- Healy, K. (2017). The skilled communicator in social work: The art and science of communication in practice, Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.
- Morley, C., Ablett, P., & Macfarlane, S. (2019). Theories for practice. In C. Morley, P. Ablett, & S. Macfarlane (Eds.), Engaging with social work: A critical introduction (2nd ed., pp. 1–50). Cambridge University Press.
Submission of assessment items
Use of generative AI for assessment in this unit of study
AI can provide valuable support and resources for learning. For example, you will use SIMConverse to practice your communication and para communication skills and the transcript and feedback from a Simconverse recording will be used as an artefact for Assessment 3.
Students have permission to utilise assistive academic support services or tools (translation, editing and paraphrasing tools or services) and / or Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) programs for assessments in this unit, provided the following conditions are met:
1. Students appropriately acknowledge the use of assistive academic support services or Gen AI in the assessment itself, as well as in the reference list (as per APA7 style)
2. Students provide a GenAI Acknowledgement Statement that is placed after the reference list. The GenAI Acknowledgement Statement should clearly outline what tools or services were utilised and in what ways they were utilised in the process of completing the assessment.
Your Unit Convenor may require additional specific information about how you have used GenAI, such as including the prompts you used or providing the output of the GenAI as an appendix to the submission. These requirements will be specified in the assessment instructions.
It is recommended that you:
- Keep records of the development of the work submitted for the assessment, and any drafts of the works submitted for a work-in-progress review, in a learning portoflio or equivalent. Access to these records may be requested by teaching staff.
- Ensure you are ready to respond to questions about your assessment to demonstrate your achievement of the learning outcomes of that assessment if / when you may be requested to participate in a conversation about your submission.
GenAI Acknowldgement Statement Examples
Complete the relevant GenAI Acknowledgement Statement for your assessment before copying the statement into your submission after the reference list:
- I did not use any genAI tools/services in the preparation of this assessment. I understand that providing false or misleading information in this GenAI Acknowledgement Statement may constitute a breach of the University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023.
OR
- I have used the following Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) tools/services in the preparation of this assessment:
• GenAI service name and version: [Insert]
• Link to the GenAI service: [Insert]
• I used this GenAI service: [insert]
I confirm I have not used GenAI in the preparation of this assessment for any purpose other than what I have acknowledged above. I understand that providing false or misleading information in this GenAI Acknowledgement Statement may constitute a breach of the University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023.
EXAMPLE:
I have used the following Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) tools/services in the preparation of this assessment:
• GenAI service name and version: Microsoft Copilot
• Link to the GenAI service: https://copilot.microsoft.com/
• I used this GenAI service: for initial ideation in response to the topic, assisting in structuring my thinking, developing a comparison table, and suggesting clearer language.
I confirm I have not used the Generative Artificial Intelligence service in development of this work for assessment other than what I have declared and acknowledged above. I understand that providing false or misleading information in this declaration and acknowledgement may constitute a breach of the Student Conduct Rules
GenAI supporting information for students
The GenAI for Students guide will assist you in understanding GenAI and how it can be used at the University of Canberra: https://canberra.libguides.com/genai
GenAI and referencing
Each referencing guide provided by the Library provides advice on how to appropriately reference the use of GenAI in-text.
Free and protected access to Microsoft Copilot
The University provides students with free and protected access to Microsoft Copilot and Dall-E. These GenAI services are accessible when you log-in using your UC username and password at https://copilot.microsoft.com/
Recommendation
UC students should avoid using GenAI tools other than the secure Microsoft Copilot system provided by the University for completing assessments. Using this version of Microsoft Copilot ensures your student data, personal information, and intellectual property are protected.
In the online content and tutorials for this unit, students will be provided with information and support about appropriate ways to utilise GenAI as a tool for research.
Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.
Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.
UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).
UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.
Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.
Participation requirements
- This Unit includes a mandatory 5 day residential intensive at the Bruce campus of the University of Canberra.
- Attendance at tutorials is highly recommended in this course. Students will be strongly supported to attain and demonstrate the required learning outcomes in their assessments via attendance and participation in weekly tutorials.
- Recordings will be made available for those students who are unable to attend live tutorial sessions, however recordings cannot replicate the live learning experience of engagement with peers, teachers and guest speakers.
- Please note sections of tutorial recordings may be removed if sensitive information has been disclosed.
Required IT skills
- In order to engage in this unit, you are expected to have a reliable computer with the latest operating system. You will also need reliable internet connections and the latest version of Google Chrome (preferred browser) to access UCLearn.
- You are expected to have access to Microsoft Office applications: including OneNote, Word, Excel, Teams and PowerPoint equivalent.
- In some units, you will be required to download specific software applications to complete the unit content and assessment successfully.
- This unit involves online meetings in real time using Zoom. Zoom allows you to communicate in real time with your lecturer and other students. To participate verbally, rather than just typing, you will need a microphone.
- In order to complete research, you will need to be able to search the library data bases for relevant journal articles. It is the individual student's responsibility to access appropriate help from the University IT services or the library if they do not have adequate skills.
- Please see the Social Work Hub on Canvas for orientation to key software and applications.
Work placement, internships or practicums
Successful completion of this Unit is a prerequisite for completing your first field education placement. This unit contains simulations of social work practice.
