Students

PSYP8906 – Working with Children and Families

2024 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-intensive, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Josephine Paparo
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MProfPsych
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

In this unit, you will focus on the emotional, social, cognitive and behavioural development of children, the range of problems that children can present with, and the impact of these problems on children and their families. You will learn about the different therapeutic approaches to family problems, including strengths-based practice and creative therapeutic approaches for working with children. You will also develop the skills needed for the evidence-based assessment and intervention of a range of childhood disorders. Issues relating to the "over-diagnosis" of and overuse of medication in children and adolescents, as well as the transition from childhood to adolescence and early adulthood, will also be considered.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Analyse and interpret the characteristics of common psychological difficulties during childhood and adolescence. (Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar)
  • ULO2: Apply scientific methods and knowledge inherent to the practice of professional psychology for the purposes of designing and implementing evidence-based assessments and interventions, appropriate for work with children and families. (Capability 2: Psychologist Practitioner)
  • ULO3: Implement professional practice principles when working with children and families to effectively manage affective and relational processes and demonstrate respect for the skills and contribution of other professionals. (Capability 4: Professional)
  • ULO4: Apply decision-making strategies consistent with the regulation of the profession and that demonstrate knowledge of ethical, professional, legal and other issues relevant to work with children and families. (Capability 4: Professional)
  • ULO5: Communicate effectively in writing and through oral formats, using professional and culturally appropriate language. (Capability 2: Psychologist Practitioner)

General Assessment Information

Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Assessment Policy.

All final grades are determined by a grading committee, in accordance with the Macquarie University Assessment Policy, and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenor.

Students will be awarded a final grade and a mark which must correspond to the grade descriptors specified in the Assessment Procedure (clause 128).

To pass this unit, you must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes, meet any ungraded requirements, and achieve a final mark of 50 or better. 

In the Master of Professional Psychology, letter grades, not numeric marks, are released for assessment tasks in most units, including this unit.

For word count penalties, 5% of the possible mark will be deducted per 100 words over the word limit for written assessment tasks. An additional 99 words beyond the limit can be written without penalty.

All extensions need to be formally requested via ask.mq.edu.au in line with the special consideration policy.

Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn.

Late Submissions

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (OF THE TOTAL POSSIBLE MARK) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern. 

 For example:

Number of days (hours) late

Total Possible Marks

Deduction

Raw mark

Final mark

1 day (1-24 hours)

100

5

75

70

2 days (24-48 hours)

100

10

75

65

3 days (48-72 hours)

100

15

75

60

7 days (144-168 hours)

100

35

75

40

>7 days (>168 hours)

100

-

75

0

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.

 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Live Simulated Child Interview Skills Demonstration 50% No 11:55pm Sunday 19 May 2024
Assessment and Intervention Plan 50% No 11:55pm Sunday 02 June 2024

Live Simulated Child Interview Skills Demonstration

Assessment Type 1: Simulation/role play
Indicative Time on Task 2: 48 hours
Due: 11:55pm Sunday 19 May 2024
Weighting: 50%

 

You will record a simulated child interview with a peer and complete a written self-reflective practice task.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse and interpret the characteristics of common psychological difficulties during childhood and adolescence. (Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar)
  • Apply scientific methods and knowledge inherent to the practice of professional psychology for the purposes of designing and implementing evidence-based assessments and interventions, appropriate for work with children and families. (Capability 2: Psychologist Practitioner)
  • Implement professional practice principles when working with children and families to effectively manage affective and relational processes and demonstrate respect for the skills and contribution of other professionals. (Capability 4: Professional)
  • Apply decision-making strategies consistent with the regulation of the profession and that demonstrate knowledge of ethical, professional, legal and other issues relevant to work with children and families. (Capability 4: Professional)
  • Communicate effectively in writing and through oral formats, using professional and culturally appropriate language. (Capability 2: Psychologist Practitioner)

Assessment and Intervention Plan

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 48 hours
Due: 11:55pm Sunday 02 June 2024
Weighting: 50%

 

You will be provided with a referral letter from a School Counsellor for a child or adolescent in need of external psychological support and counselling. On the basis of this referral letter, you will need to provide an outline of aspects of your case formulation, assessment and treatment plan, based on the case information provided, your initial impressions, what you have learnt in class and your engagement with theoretical and empirical literature.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse and interpret the characteristics of common psychological difficulties during childhood and adolescence. (Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar)
  • Apply scientific methods and knowledge inherent to the practice of professional psychology for the purposes of designing and implementing evidence-based assessments and interventions, appropriate for work with children and families. (Capability 2: Psychologist Practitioner)
  • Implement professional practice principles when working with children and families to effectively manage affective and relational processes and demonstrate respect for the skills and contribution of other professionals. (Capability 4: Professional)
  • Apply decision-making strategies consistent with the regulation of the profession and that demonstrate knowledge of ethical, professional, legal and other issues relevant to work with children and families. (Capability 4: Professional)
  • Communicate effectively in writing and through oral formats, using professional and culturally appropriate language. (Capability 2: Psychologist Practitioner)

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

This course consists of four workshops from 9am to 4pm. Workshops are interactive and will include lecture components and hands-on skills practice components. Please see iLearn for instructions, slides, additional resources and reading materials relevant for each workshop. These can be found in the allocated section on iLearn for each individual workshop.

Unit Schedule

Workshop 1 (Friday 10 May 2024) Foundations of Working with Children and Families

Workshop 2 (Wednesday 15  May 2024) Anxiety and Low Mood During Childhood

Workshop 3 (Wednesday 22 May 2024) Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Workshop 4 (Wednesday 29 May 2024) Disruptive Behaviour and Trauma During Childhood

Please note the Master of Professional Psychology timetable further suggests that students utilise Friday 17 May as preparation for the simulated child interview with peer task. However, students are not required to attend campus that day.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Inclusion and Diversity

Social inclusion at Macquarie University is about giving everyone who has the potential to benefit from higher education the opportunity to study at university, participate in campus life and flourish in their chosen field. The University has made significant moves to promote an equitable, diverse and exciting campus community for the benefit of staff and students. It is your responsibility to contribute towards the development of an inclusive culture and practice in the areas of learning and teaching, research, and service orientation and delivery. As a member of the Macquarie University community, you must not discriminate against or harass others based on their sex, gender, race, marital status, carers' responsibilities, disability, sexual orientation, age, political conviction or religious belief. All staff and students are expected to display appropriate behaviour that is conducive to a healthy learning environment for everyone.

Professionalism

In the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, professionalism is a key capability embedded in all our courses.

As part of developing professionalism, students are expected to attend all small group interactive sessions including clinical, practical, laboratory, work-integrated learning (e.g., PACE placements), and team-based learning activities. Some learning activities are recorded (e.g., face-to-face lectures), however you are encouraged to avoid relying upon such material as they do not recreate the whole learning experience and technical issues can and do occur. As an adult learner, we respect your decision to choose how you engage with your learning, but we would remind you that the learning opportunities we create for you have been done so to enable your success, and that by not engaging you may impact your ability to successfully complete this unit. We equally expect that you show respect for the academic staff who have worked hard to develop meaningful activities and prioritise your learning by communicating with them in advance if you are unable to attend a small group interactive session.

Another dimension of professionalism is having respect for your peers. It is the right of every student to learn in an environment that is free of disruption and distraction. Please arrive to all learning activities on time, and if you are unavoidably detained, please join activity as quietly as possible to minimise disruption. Phones and other electronic devices that produce noise and other distractions must be turned off prior to entering class. Where your own device (e.g., laptop) is being used for class-related activities, you are asked to close down all other applications to avoid distraction to you and others. Please treat your fellow students with the utmost respect. If you are uncomfortable participating in any specific activity, please let the relevant academic know.


Unit information based on version 2024.01 of the Handbook