Developing Professional Practice

This unit prepares the student for their first fieldwork placement through the development of their self-understanding as a professional practitioner. The student's first placement is generally an observation-only placement, focused on the student's area of specialisation or interest. The unit content is intended to assist the student to maximise and integrate their learning while on placement. This objective is achieved through the systematic development of their self-reflective capacities, through reviewing and integrating the theory learnt and the skills acquired in relation to applied social science, counselling, conflict management, diversity, research, and policy. Students are presented with an overview of supervision: they learn how to be a supervisee; how to present cases for supervision; and how to develop a professional identity. Emphasis throughout this unit is focused on developing within the student a professional identity, to be self-reflective, open to new learning, and aware of the role of ethical and professional practice.
This unit is completed prior to the student's first fieldwork placement of 150 hours duration.

Learning Outcomes

• Explore and identify career options and specialisation interests
• Evaluate social science theory and applications in a range of contexts and circumstances
• Discuss the role of reflective practice and critical self-reflection in professional development
• Describe the role of a professional portfolio in enhancing employment prospects
• Describe the role and value of learning contracts
• Discuss social, legal and ethical issues related to the workplace and professional development
• Define and discuss the role of supervision and related support structures in the workplace
• Describe strategies and resources for ongoing professional development

Content Areas

• Developing Professional Practice: An Introduction
• Integration of Social Science Theories and Practice
• Application of Social Science to the Workplace
• Identifying Areas of Specialisation and Interest
• Developing a Professional Portfolio
• Assessing Personal Strengths and Limitations
• The Role of Reflective Practice
• The Reflective Self in Action
• Supervision and Being a Supervisee
• Working with Difference and Change in the Workplace
• Ethical and Legal Issues in the Workplace
• Building Professional Networks on Placement

Unit Duration and Workload

This unit involves a total of 36 hours of face to face delivery of self directed study including educator contact in flexible delivery modes, generating a further 54 hours of self-study per unit including research and related study activities, including assessment. This translates to 7.5 hours per week for the unit.