Professional Practice

This unit aims to prepare the student for their second placement (250 hours) which is conducted under the supervision of a specific fieldwork organisation. Through participation in this unit, the student is provided with opportunities to integrate and consolidate personal and professional skills and knowledge acquired throughout the course including their first fieldwork placement (undertaken as part of the unit 'Developing Professional Practice'). The student is guided in their exploration and reflection on professional practice in a range of workplace settings and circumstances. Their developing skill set, their knowledge and their attributes (innate and acquired through this course) are further refined and extended through this unit. The challenge of immersion within a professional context and the responsibilities and accountabilities of being a professional practitioner are analysed and evaluated. The student is prepared for their second placement through the study of a series of practice-oriented topics that will not only assist in their second placement (learning contracts, research into professional or peak body associations) but contribute to their overall professional identity.

Learning Outcomes

  • Explore and reflect on professional practice in a range of contexts
  • Apply the theories and methods of social science to professional practice issues in a range of contexts and circumstances
  • Discuss the role of supervision and other support resources to professional practice
  • Discuss the ethical and legal challenges of being a professional
  • Identify the attributes of a professional practitioner
  • Demonstrate the integration of knowledge and skills acquired throughout the duration of the course
  • Describe the resources and mechanisms to enhance lifelong learning and professional development including networking

Content Areas

  • Preparing for Placement Two
  • Career Development Theories
  • Career Development Theories (Cont.)
  • Career Goals and Expectations
  • Marketing Yourself
  • Interview Skills
  • Supervision and Ethics
  • Reflective Practice
  • Managing Workplace Relationships
  • Stress and Burnout
  • Managing Personal and Professional Stress
  • Lifelong Learning

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.