Communication Skills in Social Work and Human Services Assessment 2 Portfolio (3 Parts)
Communication Skills in Social Work and Human Services Assessment 2 Portfolio (3 Parts)
2,700 words in total (Plus or Minus 10%) due 14th June 2022
Part A - Career Development, weighting 10% (equivalent to 250 words)
Complete CDL Module 1 entitled Introduction to Career Development, Planning & Management
The Certificate of Completion for Module 1 to be uploaded as a separate document
Part B Professional Writing Skills, weighting 30% (equivalent to 650 words)
As a professional, your writing skills and ability to communicate well inwriting will be crucial. You are firstly required to write a message to two different people, one by email and the other via a more formal letter. This task requires you to do some academic research work to learn more about the subtleties of composing an effective professional email and a formal letter, in keeping with the importance of knowing your target audience and getting your message across appropriately, persuasively and succinctly as possible.Your research in these areas to guide the composition and structure of your email and letter.
Secondly, you are required to write a rationale for both the email and formal letter, explaining how and why you have composed them both in the way that you have, e.g. what you had to consider, and why? Each rationale to include 1 -2 short paragraphs and include in-text referencing of academic sources used to help in the composition and formatting of the email and letter.
Email: maximum 250 words including To, From, Date and Subject line and your electronic signature; this word count inclusive of the rationale for the layout and content of your email.Formal letter: maximum 400 words including address and other structures used in your sample letter; this word count inclusive of the rationale for the layout and content of your letter.
ScenarioCurrently you are working in a small regional non-government human service organisation (NGO) as a human service worker. You have been in the position for two months. You have just received a phone call from a travel company to say you have just won a seven-day trip to the Gold Coast leaving in three weeks and the dates cannot be changed. Of course, you are elated and are planning on going.
You are studying part time to become a social worker. The University expects that students will attend and participate in tutorials. If you go to the Gold Coast you will not be able to attend the tutorial that week. Youneed to email your tutor in this course, communication skills about this.There is the issue also of taking leave from work; you have not been there long enough toaccrue the necessary annual leave. You have consulted your supervisor about taking leave this early in your employment. Your supervisor suggests you write a letter to the regional manager, Ms Smith to request leave.
Part C Critical Refection of Learning weighting 60% (equivalent to 1,800 words)
This part of the portfolio draws on your learning and academic research work of topics covered throughout this course; further explored in your tutorial classes and your weekly writings on those topics in your own journal writing. It will also draw on the self-reflective excerpts recorded in your weekly journal entries
Key Guidelines
Understanding the importance of critical reflection and resilience to your professional learning
To clearly identify and discuss one of your communication skills that is a strength and one communication skill in need of further development.
Sub-headings to be used for each of the areas as shown in the sample layout below
Some 1st person (I language) can be used in this part of the assignment
From short excerpts (1-3 short sentences maximum) from your weekly journal entries
Otherwise, normal 3rd person academic language to be used throughout the assignment
Work to follow UniSAs Harvard Referencing Guide
Inclusive of adequate intext referencing (with page numbers) of all ideas and information paraphrased, summarized or directly quoted in your work
Minimum of 8-10 academic sources drawn from academic journal articles and textbooks
One end References list of all academic sources used for both Part B and Part C
Listed in strict alphabetical order
Sample Layout
Critical reflection 300 words
Define the term critical reflection and explain its importance to learning and skill development. Then describe how your knowledge of critical reflection has been used to write this report
Discuss one area in need of Further Development
For example -
Conflict Management Skills 600 words
Cultural Awareness/Sensitivity Skills
Explain why this skill is important to professional practice
Discuss one area of Strength
For example -
Public Speaking Skills 600 words
Listening Skills
Explain why this skill is important for professional practice
For example, you could write - In this course another strength identified is effective listening skills. In my week 3 journal entry I wrote: I believe Im a pretty good listener, its just something that Im used to doing. I have received feedback from my supervisor at work that I listen well to customers. However, I am not entirely sure what being an effective listener actually means. Carroll & Jones (2010 p.4) state that effective listening is an aspect of communication that often goes unnoticed or is underappreciated as an important skill. Brown (2016, pp.20-25) outlines several important listening skills. George & Hall (2011, p.7) further highlight that listening. This information has really helped to clarify just how much more is involved in effective listening In the future, this will assist in my work in the area of
Becoming a professional
Wellbeing and resilience are essential for effective practice in social work and human service work. Define the term Resilience and explain how you will use critical self-reflection to build your resilience and monitor your wellbeing throughout your study. Which communication skills can help you to maintain a good level of well-being? 300 words
