Bachelor of Community Services

Students will examine diversity in Australian society in relation to socio-economic status, gender identity, age, ethnicity, culture, religion, disability, and sexual orientation. Social structures, dominant values, norms, and discourses that privilege some groups over others will be analysed from critical and intersectional theoretical perspectives. Recognising how values, biases, and experiences are shaped by dominant cultural norms, students will reflect on their own positioning in relation to diversity, difference, privilege, and disadvantage. The values of respect, human rights, social justice, and inclusion are fundamental in this subject and underpin professional practice. Students develop a beginning understanding of how to practice in culturally safe, responsive, and appreciative ways. Students are expected to develop their appreciation of the value gained from inclusive celebration of diversity.

Subject Code: CSW101
Credit Points: 6

This subject introduces students to the key concepts, theories and models of interpersonal communication and their use in social work and community services practice. Students will learn how to recognise effective and ineffective communication in various contexts and environments and its impact on different relationships with individuals, families and communities. Students will reflect on their own interpersonal communication skills to establish a basis of awareness and throughout the subject to assess their development needs in becoming more effective communicators in professional practice. Students will be required to analyse various communication scenarios in a range of contexts across social work and community services and demonstrate their own skills including how to overcome communication challenges and apply appropriate cultural and other considerations with clients. This subject provides a foundational learning that will be expanded upon in future subjects.

Subject Code: CSW102
Credit Points: 6

This subject introduces the community services sector in Australia. Students gain an overview of the historical, political, and cultural background to welfare support in Australia and how this evolved into the current landscape of the community services sector. The purpose of community service practice is examined, and the different fields of professional practice are overviewed. Students are introduced to the diverse range of community service roles with individuals, families, and communities, and to key theories, models, principles, and steps of the helping process, gaining a beginning understanding of community service practice approaches. Some of the challenges and factors impacting community service provision in Australia will also be explored. This subject is a foundation for further learning in key areas of case management, advocacy, program planning, and service coordination. Students learn and apply the principles of reflective practice, examine personal values and professional ethics, and start to form their own professional practice framework.

Subject Code: CSW103
Credit Points: 6

Ethics in professional practice is a key component of effective work in community services. This subject introduces students to the ethical principles and theories that underpin professional practice in community services and provides opportunities to apply these principles and theories in practice to resolve ethical challenges across various topics and contexts. Students will identify and reflect on their own personal values and will identify how these can and will impact the development of their own professional practice. They will also be expected to analyse and reflect on how ethical principles and decision-making can shape their practice and ongoing development as a professional. This subject will explore the nature of social justice, human rights, ethical activism, and advocacy as they relate to welfare support in community services and other relevant industries. Students will learn about interprofessional ethics, e-professionalism, and how to incorporate their own ethical principles and values into their professional framework.

Subject Code: CSW104
Credit Points: 6
Pre-Requisite: CSW103

This subject introduces students to key sociological concepts, theories, and processes that help to understand and analyse society from a sociological perspective. Students will explore how individual experiences connect to larger social interactions, institutions, and structures. This subject introduces students to sociological critique, as students begin to develop the critical thinking skills needed to understand, examine, and analyse societies within Australia and globally. Key concepts will be explored including social trends, power, class structures, privilege, and disadvantage. The impacts of these social dynamics on individual, families, and communities will be examined. Students will have opportunities to consider and reflect on current social issues, movements, and processes of social change.

Subject Code: CSW105
Credit Points: 6

This subject establishes the principles and practice of case management, introducing students to various case management models and elements of person-centred practice in community services. The process and practice of case management will be covered in depth across various contexts in the community services industry. Students will have opportunities to develop case management plans for clients with various needs, backgrounds and capacities, applying theory to practice within an ethical framework to empower individuals and families. This subject will ensure students know and understand case management standards of practice and recognise the importance of reflective practice and ongoing professional skills development.

Subject Code: CSW106
Credit Points: 6
Pre-Requisites: CSW103

This subject builds on foundational knowledge developed through successful completion of CSW102 Foundations of Interpersonal Communication and provides further opportunities to learn about and develop interpersonal skills for effective relationships. Students will learn how to apply the foundational interpersonal skills needed to effectively support and communicate with clients presenting concerns on a wide range of social welfare matters. It provides a practical approach to professional practice with an emphasis on developing effective techniques and skills to work with clients of different ages and cultural backgrounds in a range of settings. Students will have the opportunity to develop their interpersonal skills and client assessment skills in an interactive and supportive learning environment with feedback from others.

Subject Code: CSW107
Credit Points: 6
Pre-Requisites: CSW102

This subject introduces students to the program development and coordination process including how to plan, develop, implement and modify service programs in community services. Students will have the opportunity to plan a program from start to finish, incorporating consultation and collaboration with peers to support client engagement in the analysis of service needs. This subject will build on students’ basic knowledge of community services programs and provide additional theory and opportunities for practice to further the knowledge and skills required for professional practice in program planning and coordination in community services.

Subject Code: CSW108
Credit Points: 6

This subject continues to explore the essential interpersonal skills needed to effectively engage, support, communicate with, and motivate clients from a range of diverse backgrounds. Students will have the opportunity to further develop and integrate their interpersonal skills and apply culturally responsive approaches to working with clients with complex needs such as substance misuse, grief and loss, and domestic and family violence. This subject provides students with opportunities to further knowledge and to practice and develop skills for embedding basic counselling and casework approaches into community services work. Students will explore the limitations, boundaries, and ethical considerations associated with counselling approaches. Students will also be introduced to the nature of vicarious trauma and professional wellbeing, as well as contemporary practice settings including remote and distance work.

Subject Code: CSW201
Credit Points: 6
Pre-Requisite: CSW107

This subject explores the varied experiences of individuals, families and carers utilising mental health services in Australia, the scope of services, and areas in need of improvements in the system. Students will learn about how the conceptions of ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ behaviour have developed culturally over time and explore the historical emergence of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Illness (DSM-5-TR) system of diagnosis, its justification, and criticisms. Students will learn to identify key signs and symptoms of common mental health disorders and will understand the role of community recovery programs. Students will learn how to talk about suicidality with those who may be at risk, and facilitate safety planning and postvention support.

Subject Code: CSW202
Credit Points: 6

This subject is an introduction to theories of individual human development and change across the lifespan. Students examine development and transitions across the lifespan from a range of theoretical perspectives. Reflections on lived experiences of transitions through life stages are also drawn upon as a source of learning. Stages of the human lifecycle are briefly overviewed from individual perspectives (biology and psychology) and from broader social perspectives, highlighting key areas for attention by social workers and community service workers. Students examine the political, cultural, and economic factors that shape human experience, opportunities, development, and wellbeing. The roles and approaches that social work and community services workers may adopt to support people at different stages in life are identified.  Themes of grief and loss across the lifespan are examined. Students develop critical insights into the responsibility to challenge discrimination and dominant discourses about what is ‘appropriate’ at different life stages and to promote social equality, diversity, choice, and inclusion.

Subject Code: CSW203
Credit Points: 6

This subject is the first of two placement experiences designed to draw together and apply theory, knowledge and skills from prior coursework subjects in a safe, structured and supervised work-based learning setting.  Students will have their first opportunity to apply theoretical and reflective learning to “real world” community services practice as they undertake a 200-hour placement experience. Students gain practical understanding of community service worker roles and limitations in a practice setting. Students will employ interpersonal skills and learn how to work effectively both independently and as part of an interprofessional team.  There are three on-campus classes during the trimester in which students engage in group discussion to analyse their practice experiences and explore how their personal and professional values influence relationships with clients, families, other professionals, and their agency supervisors. Note: The on-campus classes do not count toward field placement hours.

Subject Code: CSW204
Credit Points: 6
Pre-Requisite: 100s

This subject builds upon foundational knowledge of the welfare system and social services in Australia. Students examine historical and social contexts and critique contemporary issues in the human services system. Students explore the different funding and support models in Australia and how they are evolving to shape human services including in the areas of income support, employment, aged services, disability and services to families. Key concepts and principles underlying human service provisions will be examined. Students will analyse current issues and make recommendations for improvements that impact individuals, families, and communities. Students will reflect on the values involved in human service provision and make connections to their own values as they prepare for careers in human services.

Subject Code: CSW205
Credit Points: 6
Pre-Requisite: CSW105

This subject builds upon foundational knowledge of social systems to expand students’ understanding of the development, impact, and value of social policy in human services. Students analyse the theoretical, political and ideological aspects of social policy through a social justice lens and are introduced to policy-making models used in Australia. The potential for social work and community services practitioners to participate in social policy change is highlighted and students learn about and develop key policy practice skills for policy advocacy, development, implementation, and evaluation. Using a policy case study approach, students examine various social policy issues across contexts including healthcare, community support, income support, housing, migration, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and climate change policy, reflecting on areas for policy reform to address inadequacies and inequities.

Subject Code: CSW206
Credit Points: 6
Pre-Requisite: CSW105

This subject explores the theory, practice, and ethics of psychoeducational and support group work. Students are introduced to planning, working with and leading support groups and psycho-educational groups in mental health, wellbeing, and human services contexts. Students will learn how to plan and facilitate groups, understand issues that arise in groups and respond to conflicts with consideration of power relations, group dynamics and the stages of group work. There will be opportunities to practice and develop groupwork skills, whilst recognising group processes, roles taken up by group members, group stages, and the implicit and explicit communication of group members. Students will build on the foundational knowledge and skills for interpersonal practice, in developing more advanced skills for working in groups and facilitating achievement of group outcomes. Students will develop an understanding of the skills, tasks, and responsibilities required of the group work leader.

Subject Code: CSW207
Credit Points: 6
Pre-Requisites: CSW201

This subject will introduce the foundational knowledge and skills required for working with children and their families and support networks across the community services sector in Australia. Students will learn how to identify and describe key concepts of family dynamics including the roles and relationships between family members that can impact the wellbeing of children. Students will develop knowledge about assessment processes, with an awareness of the nature and impacts of child abuse and neglect, examining associated ethical responsibilities and preventative supports. This subject provides opportunities to critically analyse and reflect on practice. Students will further develop their professional practice framework so that they are able to work safely to determine a range of supports, interventions, and services that are effective for children and their families in Australia.

Subject Code: CSW208
Credit Points: 6
Pre-Requisites: All CSW100

Small community service organisations often require graduates early in their career to take on management roles. This subject prepares students for management roles in community service organisations as part of their career planning. The subject introduces students to key concepts, roles, structures, and skills of management in community services. Students will have opportunities to develop their knowledge of leadership styles and reflect on their own. In addition, students develop practical skills for working in and with management in community services. This subject offers students the opportunity to apply their skills to practice scenarios in managing a team and in developing a grant application to address an organisational issue related to funding.

Subject Code: CSW301
Credit Points: 6
Pre-Requisites: CSW206

In this subject, students expand knowledge, skills, and theoretical understanding to prepare for working effectively with young people in scenarios and settings across the community services sector. Students examine the ethics and values central to working with young people, such as autonomy and participation, and apply these to practice scenarios. This subject provides opportunities to critically analyse and reflect on practice and skill development, focusing attention on creative engagement and relationship building with young people. Students will further develop their readiness for professional practice and decision-making about supports, interventions, and services appropriate to young people facing a range of complex circumstances.

Subject Code: CSW302
Credit Points: 6

This subject introduces students to key models and approaches to conflict management and resolution in community services practice. Students will explore their own values and approaches to conflict and further develop their practical skills across mediation, negotiation, problem solving, and communication. Students will critically reflect on and evaluate their own practical skills and enhance ability to incorporate feedback from peers and supervisors to support personal and professional development. The subject offers students opportunities to evaluate different conflict resolution techniques through case studies, role plays, and assessments, including preparing a conflict management plan.

Subject Code: CSW303
Credit Points: 6

This unit is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills essential for working effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and communities. Students will learn about the cultural, historical and contemporary contexts that shape and influence the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.  Grounded in principles of cultural safety and respect, this unit aims to prepare students for meaningful engagement and positive service delivery. A combination of learning methods will be covered throughout the unit – these include theoretical explorations, practical applications and reflective exercises. The content is designed to encourage students to foster a deep appreciation for the diversity of Aboriginal cultures, whilst recognising the resilience and strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people today.

Subject Code: CSW304
Credit Points: 6

This subject builds on students’ knowledge of disability policies and supports. Students will develop an understanding of the importance of disability advocacy across community services in Australia and build their own advocacy skills for practice in diverse contexts, including the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and in response to the Disability Royal Commission. Students critically examine the various roles of disability advocacy and have opportunities to develop understanding of lived experience of disability in relation to key issues including accessibility, engagement, inclusion, and participation. Students will also critically reflect on their own role as a disability advocate and their skills for both individual advocacy and planning and promoting accessible and inclusive services and communities.

Subject Code: CSW305
Credit Points: 6

This subject will introduce students to core concepts and principles of trauma informed care. The nature and impacts of single instance trauma, multiple exposure related trauma and infant attachment trauma will be examined. This subject draws on the theoretical literature related to trauma and attachment to provide a framework for safe and effective community services practice. Students will learn to recognise causal factors, impact, emotion dysregulation and symptoms of trauma. Experiences and responses to trauma amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, children and young people, survivors of war and refugees, and survivors of violence and natural disasters experience and respond to trauma will be explored. Students will learn to recognise triggers of re-traumatisation, and work within the client’s window of tolerance. Weekly practice sessions in the second half of the subject will support students to practice and develop skills. 

Subject Code: CSW306
Credit Points: 6
Pre-Requisite: CSW202

This subject introduces key concepts, theories, principles, and skills of community development practice. Students examine and share their own experiences of community and learn how capacity building and empowerment can be achieved through community development work. Practical skills in community development work will be introduced and students will further develop their understanding and application of skills through creative and practical assessments. Students will also have opportunities to critically analyse and reflect on diversity in Australian communities and how current and changing social, political, and economic environments impact community development initiatives in Australia.

Subject Code: CSW307
Credit Points: 6

This subject is the second of two placement experiences designed to draw together and apply theory, knowledge, ethics, and skills that have been developed throughout the degree program. The placement is undertaken in a safe, structured, and supervised work-based learning setting.  Students apply theoretical and reflective learning to community services practice as they undertake this capstone 200-hour placement experience. Students work collaboratively with clients, communities, or partners to plan and facilitate positive change with consideration for the needs, goals and diversity of individuals, families, and/or community.  Students will assess clients and their presenting issues, undertake case management and/or program planning and coordination, and draw on theoretical understanding to plan appropriate interventions.  In doing so, students exercise professional judgement, engage in ethical and culturally sensitive professional practice, and demonstrate effective working relationships with clients, colleagues, teams, and other stakeholders. Students will enhance their professional identity through the integration of theory and critical reflective practice, using this learning to articulate a practice framework in readiness for working as a graduate practitioner. There are three workshops during the field placement, which do not count toward placement hours.

Subject Code: CSW308
Credit Points: 6
Pre-Requisite: All CSW200