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HE Unit Template
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Theories and Models for Practice
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CHSUG1003 - Theories and Models for Practice
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20250200
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Course
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Unit
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2.4
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2026-09-10
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2026-09-10
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Social Work, Community & Human Services
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Institute of Education, Arts & Community
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Social Work, Community & Human Services
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Undergraduate
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15
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.125
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090515
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Welfare Studies
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090515 - Welfare Studies
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<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/chsug1003">View unit fees</a>
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Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
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Introductory
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<p>This unit provides an overview of the role theory plays in social work and community and human services practice frameworks. It will explain what theories are and why they are used in practice. Students will be introduced to several key theoretical frameworks and models of practice including, systems theory, problem solving approaches, task-centred approaches such as, strengths based approaches and postmodern approaches. Students will consider and examine how community and human services workers apply these theories and models to their practice. This will assist students to make connections between theory and practice.</p>
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<p>•The role of theory in community and human services practices: - What are theories for practice and why do we use them? - The generalist nature of community and human services (i.e. Health, welfare, behaviour and social sciences).<br>
•Introducing models and theories for practice: - Systems theories - Problem solving approaches and task centred practice - Strengths based - Radical to critical perspectives (Anti-oppressive, Structural, feminist, intersectionality) - Postmodern approaches.<br>
•Connections between theories and practice: - How community and human services use theories in practice - Using reflection and critical thinking to apply theory.</p>
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<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
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2027
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2026
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CHSUG1003 - Theories and Models for Practice
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CHSUG1003 - Theories and Models for Practice
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Year
2027
2026
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Overview
Key information
Requisites
Learning outcomes
Assessment
FedTASK
Parent Region
Overview
Unit description
<p>This unit provides an overview of the role theory plays in social work and community and human services practice frameworks. It will explain what theories are and why they are used in practice. Students will be introduced to several key theoretical frameworks and models of practice including, systems theory, problem solving approaches, task-centred approaches such as, strengths based approaches and postmodern approaches. Students will consider and examine how community and human services workers apply these theories and models to their practice. This will assist students to make connections between theory and practice.</p>
Unit content
<p>•The role of theory in community and human services practices: - What are theories for practice and why do we use them? - The generalist nature of community and human services (i.e. Health, welfare, behaviour and social sciences).<br> •Introducing models and theories for practice: - Systems theories - Problem solving approaches and task centred practice - Strengths based - Radical to critical perspectives (Anti-oppressive, Structural, feminist, intersectionality) - Postmodern approaches.<br> •Connections between theories and practice: - How community and human services use theories in practice - Using reflection and critical thinking to apply theory.</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Education, Arts & Community
Discipline:
Social Work, Community & Human Services
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
090515 - Welfare Studies
Offering:
<p><strong>Semester 2</strong><p>Ballarat - Mt Helen (On Campus)</p><p>Berwick (On Campus)</p><p>Flexible Delivery - Ballarat (Blended)</p><p>Flexible Delivery - Berwick (Blended)</p><p>Flexible Delivery - Gippsland (Blended)</p><p>Gippsland - Churchill (On Campus)</p><p>On-line Learning</p></p>
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Fee information:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/chsug1003">View unit fees</a>
Requisites
Prerequisite
None
Corequisite
None
Exclusion
None
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
<p>On successful completion of this unit, students are expected to gain the following [K]nowledge, [S]kills and [A]pplication of knowledge & skills</p>
Learning Outcomes
Ref
Outcome
K1
<p>Examine the role of theoretical frameworks in community and human services practices.</p>
K2
<p>Identify and analyse the features of key theoretical frameworks used in practice.</p>
K3
<p>Explore the intersection of theoretical frameworks in the practice contexts.</p>
K4
<p>Recognise the links between theory, context and skills in practice.</p>
K5
<p>Explore how theoretical frameworks influence the role of the human service practitioners.</p>
S1
<p>Demonstrate research skills by locating and using academic materials as evidence.</p>
S2
<p>Develop effective written communication skills.</p>
S3
<p>Describe and analyse the key theories and models pertaining to community and human services practice.</p>
S4
<p>Distinguish the key features of community and human services theoretical frameworks.</p>
A1
<p>Identify and explore key debates around the role of theories in practice.</p>
A2
<p>Explore the significance of theory in community human services practices.</p>
A3
<p>Apply research skills to demonstrate an understanding of theory.</p>
A4
<p>Reflect upon theory and how it shapes our understanding of people, the community and structures.</p>
Assessment
Learning Tasks and Assessment
Ref
Learning task
Assessment type
Weighting
Learning outcomes assessed
1
<p>Describe what theory is and explain why community and human service workers use it</p>
<p>Written Piece</p>
<p>20-30%</p>
K1, K4, S1, S2, A2
2
<p>Identify a theory or a model of practice and analyse its features</p>
<p>Major Essay</p>
<p>40-60%</p>
K2, K3, S1, S2, S3, A1, A3
3
<p>Reflect upon key knowledge from course materials and readings at regular intervals</p>
<p>Learning Portfolio</p>
<p>20-30%</p>
K1, K2, K4, K5, S2, S3, S4, A4
Supplementary assessment available:
Yes
Supplementary assessment information:
<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
FedTASK
FedTASK
Description of FedTASK outcome
Level
FedTASK 1: Interpersonal
The ability to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK 2: Leadership
The ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others.
<p>Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor</p>
FedTASK 3: Critical Thinking and Creativity
The ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using imagination to create new ideas.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK 4: Digital Literacy
The ability to work fluently across a range of tools and applications to achieve a range of skills.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK 5: Sustainable and Ethical Mindset
The ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK
<p>Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FedTASKs (<strong>T</strong>ransferable <strong>A</strong>ttributes <strong>S</strong>kills and <strong>K</strong>nowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key, transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and co-operative learning opportunities.</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Education, Arts & Community
Discipline:
Social Work, Community & Human Services
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
090515 - Welfare Studies
Offering:
<p><strong>Semester 2</strong><p>Ballarat - Mt Helen (On Campus)</p><p>Berwick (On Campus)</p><p>Flexible Delivery - Ballarat (Blended)</p><p>Flexible Delivery - Berwick (Blended)</p><p>Flexible Delivery - Gippsland (Blended)</p><p>Gippsland - Churchill (On Campus)</p><p>On-line Learning</p></p>
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Fee information:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/chsug1003">View unit fees</a>
Additional information
Add Info Static Text
Internal reference: CHSUG1003 - U2.4