Practice standards in Australia: implications for social work education

Abstract

In 2003, the Australian Association of Social Work launched Practice Standards that define minimal expectations for all social workers. The Practice Standards are outcome focused and specify what social workers are expected to achieve in the areas of Direct Practice, Service Management, Organizational Development and System Change, Policy, Research, and Education and Professional Development. This paper outlines the rationale for developing the Practice Standards, the process undertaken and the need for social work educators to build a curriculum that prepares students to be competent and effective in a complex working environment.

Keywords:

• Practice Standards
• Education
• Ethics
• Outcomes

Notes

Correspondence to: Ros Giles, Lecturer in Social Work, School of Social Sciences, Behavioural Sciences Building, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan NSW 2308, Australia. Tel: [phone]; Email: [email protected]

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Roslyn Giles

Correspondence to: Ros Giles, Lecturer in Social Work, School of Social Sciences, Behavioural Sciences Building, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan NSW 2308, Australia. Tel: [phone]; Email: [email protected]