Bachelor of Social Science

Communication

The extent to which a person can use and understand verbal communication.

What do I need to be able to do?

Use, understand and respond to verbal communication during on- campus learning activities and during professional experience placement. Specifically:

• verbally communicate with team members to understand and convey concepts and task requirements by providing clear instructions and explanations.
• use, understand and respond to verbal instructions in environments where safety is a primary concern.

What reasonable adjustments could be considered?

Additional time allowances for comprehension and expression may be provided within the academic setting. However, the circumstances of industry placement tasks often require timely communication, and this should be considered prior to commencement.

Social Communication

Social Communication refers to the capacity to understand and use appropriate non-verbal communication such as: eye contact, gestures, facial expression, speaking volume, tone of voice, proximity and verbal turn-taking.

What do I need to be able to do?

Recognise, interpret, use and respond to non-verbal communication appropriately during on-campus and industry related activities to build relationships, display understanding, and acknowledgement of others.

• In industry placement environments, tasks which require the use of social communication abilities include:
  identifying and using gestures, verbal turn-taking and proximity when sharing workload and equipment with others
• Responding to peers and supervisors with open body language, eye contact and facial expressions to demonstrate understanding.

What reasonable adjustments could be considered?

The School will give consideration to non-verbal communication behaviours appropriate to your disability or condition. If you have sensory deficits, such as vision or hearing impairments, you may rely more on either auditory or visual communication behaviours.

Consideration may be given to the professional placement type and location – some professional placements may better be able to accommodate students with specific, identified needs.

Reading

The extent to which a person demonstrates effective reading and comprehension that is appropriate to both on- campus learning and professional experience placement settings.

What do I need to be able to do?

Read and understand a range of written material in differing forms from a variety of sources such as: on screen material, reference material and /or handwritten notes. E.g., reading and comprehending written documents, such as induction processes, supervisors’ instructions, policies and occupational health and safety guidelines.

In on-campus learning activities and professional experience placement environments, essential information is communicated in written form. You will require the ability to read, understand and interpret complex written information.

What reasonable adjustments could be considered?

Students may use specialised software to support their literacy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during your industry placement may vary between placements and should be discussed with the placement coordinator before commencement.

Writing (Written Language)

The extent to which a person produces coherent written communication that is appropriate to both on-campus learning and professional experience placement settings.

N.B. This refers not to the physical act of writing but to the written content.

What do I need to be able to do?

Produce coherent written communication content appropriate to both on-campus and industry placement settings.

In industry related activities, tasks which require clear, concise, accurate and time-efficient writing may include:

• writing reports to meet technical standards
• project record keeping.

What reasonable adjustments could be considered?

Students may use specialised software to support their literacy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during industry placement may vary between placements and should be discussed with the placement coordinator before commencement.

The ability to undertake tasks that encompass cognitive capacities for a period of time in the following areas: concentration, memory, planning and organisation, information processing (speed) and reasoning or problem-solving skills.

What do I need to be able to do?

Correctly use and apply knowledge of theory, research, and practice gained from on-campus learning and during industry related activities.

Tasks which require the use of concentration, memory and problem solving include:

• tracking progress and completion of complex projects.

What reasonable adjustments could be considered?

Students may use assistive technology and strategies such as rest breaks to support their memory, planning and organisation in the on- campus learning environment. The use of these strategies during industry placement should be discussed with the placement coordinator prior to commencement.  

Many people who experience mental health challenges can be successful as students and go on to be successful practitioners. Social Science (Psychology)and the demanding nature of this practice, requires all students to be mentally well enough and to demonstrate sufficient behavioural stability to perform optimally in both academic and professional placement settings.

Stable and consistent mental health promotes optimal engagement in academic and professional placement settings.

What do I need to be able to do?

You need to:

• demonstrate the capacity to manage multiple, complex demands in the professional placement setting with focus, composure and adaptability
• manage professional interactions with clients and staff calmly,  professionally and with sensitivity in the professional placement setting
• demonstrate behavioural stability to work constructively and safely in diverse and changing academic and professional placement settings
• reflect and critically evaluate the effect that your own mental health plays in practice, as well as its impact on others within academic and professional placement settings.

What are some examples of this?

Examples include:

• reflecting on practice and responding appropriately to constructive feedback in academic and professional placement settings
• managing personal emotions and behaviour effectively when dealing with peers, staff and clients in the academic and professional placement setting
• remaining emotionally engaged during client assessment and intervention during professional placement
• putting in place supports that assist behavioural stability, such as self-care, supportive relationships, and structuring your time, balancing family, employment, self, social and educational activities.  

Why do I need to be able to do these things?

You need sound mental health and behavioural stability because:

• you will be exposed to highly complex and unpredictable human situations and will be required to be mentally robust and demonstrate behavioural stability in order to manage these events competently and professionally in professional placement settings
• The University must prioritise the wellbeing and safety of your peers, staff and clients in academic and professional experience settings. Professional placement activities may be ceased if a risk is apparent. This can impact your academic progress.

What reasonable adjustments could be considered?

Reasonable adjustments such as reduced hours or consideration of placement type and location should be discussed prior to commencing placement. The practicality of accommodating these adjustments during placement will be considered but may not be possible.

Flexible arrangements for your professional experience placement will be considered. The appropriateness and practicality of these arrangements may vary between placements and agencies and should be discussed with your placement coordinator prior to commencement of the placement. 

You may be supported to take time off from your studies if you become unwell or have difficulties with behavioural stability.

The sense of hearing, and the extent that a person can be responsive to aural cues, and differentiate vocal and other sounds and tone.

What do I need to be able to do?

Sufficient hearing to undertake on-campus learning and industry related tasks. These may include:

• Receiving verbal instructions
• Hearing alarms or alerts.

What reasonable adjustments could be considered?

The use of augmentation such as lip reading and / or assistive technology to enhance hearing will be considered.

Students should discuss this with the ELS and placement coordinator before starting a placement.