Availabilities:

LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1,3
Session1

Unit description

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: Intellectual rigour, GA2: Creativity, GA3: Ethical practice, GA4: Knowledge of a discipline, GA5: Lifelong learning, GA6: Communication and social skills, GA7: Cultural competence
On completion of this unit, students should be able to:GA1GA2GA3GA4GA5GA6GA7
1explain the principles of and strategies for effective communication in social work practice with a wide range of client groups, including people from culturally diverse backgroundsCommunication and social skillsCultural competence
2demonstrate effective communication skills in a simulated social work context, including an ability to communicate cross-culturallyCommunication and social skillsCultural competence
3critically analyse different approaches to social work practice with individuals, including social casework, case management and counsellingIntellectual rigour
4demonstrate skills in assessment, including bio-psycho-social and risk assessment.Intellectual rigourCommunication and social skills

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: Communication and social skills
    • GA7: Cultural competence
  2. demonstrate effective communication skills in a simulated social work context, including an ability to communicate cross-culturally
    • GA6: Communication and social skills
    • GA7: Cultural competence
  3. critically analyse different approaches to social work practice with individuals, including social casework, case management and counselling
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
  4. demonstrate skills in assessment, including bio-psycho-social and risk assessment.
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA6: Communication and social skills

Prescribed texts

  • Prescribed text information is not currently available.

  • Harms, L, 2015, Working with people: Communication skills for reflective practice, 2nd edn, Oxford University Press, South Melbourne.
Prescribed texts may change in future study periods.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method
Workshop on-site 4 hours/week (6 weeks)
Structured online learning 1 hour/week (12 weeks)
Assessment
Clinical skills40%
Reflective writing30%
Essay30%
ParticipationSR

Teaching method
Structured online learning 1 hour/week (12 weeks)
Residential session 7 hours/day  (4 days)
Assessment
Clinical skills40%
Reflective writing30%
Essay30%
ParticipationSR
Notice

Intensive offerings may or may not be scheduled in every session. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Southern Cross University employs different teaching methods within units to provide students with the flexibility to choose the mode of learning that best suits them. SCU academics strive to use the latest approaches and, as a result, the learning modes and materials may change. The most current information regarding a unit will be provided to enrolled students at the beginning of the study session.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.
Commencing 2020 Commonwealth Supported only. Student contribution band: 1

Fee paying courses
For POSTGRADUATE or UNDERGRADUATE full fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees

International

Please check the international course and fee list to determine the relevant fees.

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