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Location Domestic International
Gold Coast Session 1 Session 1
Online Session 1,  3 Session 1,  3

Unit Summary

Unit type

PG Coursework Unit

Credit points

12

AQF level

9

Level of learning

Introductory

Unit aim

Develops students' skills in social work communication with a wide range of clients. Enables students to understand the principles of effective interpersonal communication in professional settings, and to reflect critically on the development of their own communication ability. Seeks to introduce students to common approaches to assessing and working with individuals in social work settings.

Unit content

Topic 1: The professional relationship in social work
Topic 2: Communication for social work
Topic 3: Interviewing and questioning
Topic 4: Active listening and empathy
Topic 5: Relationship development
Topic 6: Assessment
Topic 7: Biopsychosocial assessment
Topic 8: Casework and case management
Topic 9: Counselling
Topic 10:Cross-cultural communication

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

GA1: , GA2: , GA3: , GA4: , GA5: , GA6: , GA7:
On completion of this unit, students should be able to: GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 explain the principles of and strategies for effective communication in social work practice with a wide range of client groups, including people from culturally diverse backgrounds
2 demonstrate effective communication skills in a simulated social work context, including an ability to communicate cross-culturally
3 critically analyse different approaches to social work practice with individuals, including social casework, case management and counselling
4 demonstrate skills in assessment, including bio-psycho-social and risk assessment.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. explain the principles of and strategies for effective communication in social work practice with a wide range of client groups, including people from culturally diverse backgrounds
    • GA6:
    • GA7:
  2. demonstrate effective communication skills in a simulated social work context, including an ability to communicate cross-culturally
    • GA6:
    • GA7:
  3. critically analyse different approaches to social work practice with individuals, including social casework, case management and counselling
    • GA1:
  4. demonstrate skills in assessment, including bio-psycho-social and risk assessment.
    • GA1:
    • GA6:

Prescribed texts

  • Harms, L, 2007, Working with people: Communication skills for reflective practice, Oxford University Press, South Melbourne.

  • Harms, L, 2007, Working with people: Communication skills for reflective practice, Oxford University Press, South Melbourne.
Prescribed texts may change in future teaching periods.