Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Casework, Counselling and Advocacy

Credit Points: 12.00

Important Information:

HWSS2111 Casework, Counselling and Advocacy, HWSS2049 Critical Social Work and HWSS2209 Ethical Legal and Organisational Contexts of Practice are prerequisite course for HWSS2206 Field Education 1. These courses should be undertaken in your first year of study.


Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

HWSS2111

City Campus

Postgraduate

330H Social Science & Planning

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2006

HWSS2111

City Campus

Postgraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2007,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 1 2017,
Sem 1 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2021,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 1 2024,
Sem 1 2025

Course Coordinator: Bernice Beaucaine

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 9546

Course Coordinator Email: bernice.beaucaine@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Building 8, Floor 10

Course Coordinator Availability: by appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Recommended Concurrent Study 

HWSS2111 Casework, Counselling and Advocacy, HWSS2049 Critical Social Work and HWSS2209 Ethical Legal and Organisational Contexts of Practice are prerequisite course for HWSS2206 Field Education 1. These courses should be undertaken in your first year of study. 

Assumed Knowledge 

You will need to have some working knowledge of in sociology, psychology and/or other fields of human study before commencing this course. 


Course Description

Casework, Counselling and Advocacy will prepare you for direct practice with people in a range of circumstances and organisational settings. You will consider how the personal and political contexts of people’s situations oppress or privilege people and critique their broader family, social, cultural, legal and psychological systems with a focus on gender, culture, class, age and other power dimensions.  

You will critique crisis and case management models and practice and receive feedback using strengths-based approaches to engage, plan and work to achieve goals with people. The course engages you in reflective practice, developing awareness of your own practice style, strengths and challenges. 

The course will explore processes of advocacy and casework in building people’s inner resources and their social capital. You will discuss the contradictions and tensions that arise in working with people to achieve just outcomes. 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes 

In this course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:  

  • Critically analyse theories informing social work practice and the contemporary policy context to develop an evidence base for ethical professional practice 
  • Apply advanced problem-solving skills and techniques of intervention that bring together complex information transferable across different institutional and cultural contexts of practice, incorporating innovative interventions to effectively meet the needs of individuals, families, groups and communities 
  • Theorise and develop interventions that address the social structural and political levels through which poverty and inequality are generated and critically assess policies and programs developed to address disadvantage 
  • Apply sophisticated oral and written communication skills to present complex information to individuals, organisations and professional and non-professional communities in accessible and culturally appropriate ways 
  • Apply critical analytical problem-solving skills to develop innovative and creative policy and practice responses to contemporary social problems, and promote the fundamental social, economic and cultural rights of individuals, families, groups and communities 
  • Practice as an autonomous, ethical and critical social work practitioner with a commitment to lifelong learning 
  • Engage in practice which acknowledges the fundamentally multicultural nature of contemporary societies and acknowledges the unique position of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, seeking to promote the rights of these groups  


Course Learning Outcomes 

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: 

  • Describe the purpose and function of human service organisations and social work roles in Australia and internationally
  • Critically appraise models of practice and their use in contemporary practice settings 
  • Engage clients professionally in casework, crisis, advocacy and case management processes, using strength-based approaches, to work with consumers of social work services.
  • Analyse, name and address power dynamics, oppression and injustices in the psychological, systemic and gendered contexts of peoples’ lives.
  • Critically reflect on your experiences of privilege and oppression, identifying your strengths and challenges in engaging people from diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 


Overview of Learning Activities

Each week recorded lectures on Canvas and assigned readings will provide foundational knowledge. During the weekly three-hour tutorials, you'll actively engage in experiential learning exercises. These sessions will involve exploring case studies, reflecting on personal practice, participating in role plays, and engaging in discussions. Through role plays, you'll enhance skills in client engagement, assessment, and navigating emotions like conflict, grief, and loss. You'll take turns as the social worker, client, and observer, offering constructive feedback to your peers. These activities will challenge you to reflect on and debate various values, concepts, and ethical issues. 

Mandatory attendance 

You are required to attend 7 out of 9 weekly workshops as part of this course's mandatory attendance requirements. This is in line with the AASW 's Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards and our accreditation requirements. This is important to develop your social work practice skills, and the course has been designed to directly link workshop activities with skill development and assessments.     

We also understand that there may be unexpected circumstances that result in you not being able to attend a workshop, therefore: 


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems.  

A list of recommended learning resources will be provided by your lecturer, including books, journal articles and web resources. 

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.  


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes. Assessment will cover both theoretical and practical aspects of your learning. 

The assessment tasks provide opportunities for you to demonstrate your development of knowledge and skills described in the course learning outcomes (CLO)s for this course. 

Assessment Tasks 

Assessment Task 1: A 10-minute mock client interview in a simulated hospital setting demonstrating micro skills, engagement and assessment skills, 50% CLO1, CLO2 and CLO3, CLO4 

Assessment Task 2: Case Management and Advocacy Plan including case notes, genogram and ecomap, 30%, CLO1, CLO3 and CLO4 

Assessment Task 3: Critical Reflection (1500 words), 20% CLO1, CLO2, CLO4 and CLO5 

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks. 

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more. 

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.