Students

PSYP906 – Working with Children and Families

2019 – S2 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Joanne Earl
Julie Boulis
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MProfPsych
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
The focus of this unit is on the emotional, social, cognitive and behavioural development of children, the range of problems that children present with and the impact of these problems on children and their families. The Unit teaches students different therapeutic approaches to family problems, including strengths based practice and creative therapeutic approaches for working with children. Skills for the assessment and intervention in a range of childhood problems, including intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, are developed. Skills training in parent management interventions and skills in working with families to improve parenting capacity is provided. Issues relating to the “over-diagnosis” of and overuse of medication in children and adolescents and the transition from childhood to adolescence and early adulthood are also 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:

  • Explain attachment theory, evidence based research and its contribution to developing skills for interventions and family psychotherapy when working with children.
  • Apply professional practice principles concerning the psychotherapeutic relationship and interventions with children and families.
  • Integrate and synthesise the learning and knowledge of increasing parenting capacity through analysing parenting management approaches and strategies.
  • Recognise the ethical and legal issues and obstacles for engaging and counseling children and youth.
  • Apply decision-making strategies to resolve ethical questions to problems using the APS Code of Ethics, Guidelines and Mandatory reporting legislation, across a variety of contexts.
  • Implement communication skills effectively in writing and through verbal communication.

General Assessment Information

Students must attempt all assessment tasks to achieve a grade of pass or higher in this unit.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Disordered Attachment 60% No TBA
Child Taped Skills Assessment 40% No TBA

Disordered Attachment

Due: TBA
Weighting: 60%

Disordered Attachment Essay 3500 words


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain attachment theory, evidence based research and its contribution to developing skills for interventions and family psychotherapy when working with children.
  • Apply professional practice principles concerning the psychotherapeutic relationship and interventions with children and families.
  • Integrate and synthesise the learning and knowledge of increasing parenting capacity through analysing parenting management approaches and strategies.
  • Recognise the ethical and legal issues and obstacles for engaging and counseling children and youth.
  • Apply decision-making strategies to resolve ethical questions to problems using the APS Code of Ethics, Guidelines and Mandatory reporting legislation, across a variety of contexts.
  • Implement communication skills effectively in writing and through verbal communication.

Child Taped Skills Assessment

Due: TBA
Weighting: 40%

Child Interview Taped Live Skills Assessment (25 minute duration minimum)

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain attachment theory, evidence based research and its contribution to developing skills for interventions and family psychotherapy when working with children.
  • Apply professional practice principles concerning the psychotherapeutic relationship and interventions with children and families.
  • Integrate and synthesise the learning and knowledge of increasing parenting capacity through analysing parenting management approaches and strategies.
  • Recognise the ethical and legal issues and obstacles for engaging and counseling children and youth.
  • Apply decision-making strategies to resolve ethical questions to problems using the APS Code of Ethics, Guidelines and Mandatory reporting legislation, across a variety of contexts.
  • Implement communication skills effectively in writing and through verbal communication.

Delivery and Resources

The unit is comprised of lectures. 

Lectures: 3 x 6 hour lecture on Wednesday

1 x 6 hour lecture on Saturday

If more than one workshop per unit is missed, then the student is at risk of being excluded and university rules may apply.

Learning and Teaching Activities

Working with Families

Group supervision

Attachment

Group discussion

Child Engagement

small groups

Counselling Youth

Group discussion and role play

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

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

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/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

Student Support

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

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

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.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative

Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Apply professional practice principles concerning the psychotherapeutic relationship and interventions with children and families.
  • Integrate and synthesise the learning and knowledge of increasing parenting capacity through analysing parenting management approaches and strategies.
  • Recognise the ethical and legal issues and obstacles for engaging and counseling children and youth.
  • Apply decision-making strategies to resolve ethical questions to problems using the APS Code of Ethics, Guidelines and Mandatory reporting legislation, across a variety of contexts.
  • Implement communication skills effectively in writing and through verbal communication.

Assessment tasks

  • Disordered Attachment
  • Child Taped Skills Assessment

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Apply professional practice principles concerning the psychotherapeutic relationship and interventions with children and families.
  • Integrate and synthesise the learning and knowledge of increasing parenting capacity through analysing parenting management approaches and strategies.
  • Recognise the ethical and legal issues and obstacles for engaging and counseling children and youth.
  • Apply decision-making strategies to resolve ethical questions to problems using the APS Code of Ethics, Guidelines and Mandatory reporting legislation, across a variety of contexts.
  • Implement communication skills effectively in writing and through verbal communication.

Assessment tasks

  • Disordered Attachment
  • Child Taped Skills Assessment

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Explain attachment theory, evidence based research and its contribution to developing skills for interventions and family psychotherapy when working with children.
  • Recognise the ethical and legal issues and obstacles for engaging and counseling children and youth.
  • Apply decision-making strategies to resolve ethical questions to problems using the APS Code of Ethics, Guidelines and Mandatory reporting legislation, across a variety of contexts.
  • Implement communication skills effectively in writing and through verbal communication.

Assessment tasks

  • Disordered Attachment
  • Child Taped Skills Assessment

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Explain attachment theory, evidence based research and its contribution to developing skills for interventions and family psychotherapy when working with children.
  • Integrate and synthesise the learning and knowledge of increasing parenting capacity through analysing parenting management approaches and strategies.
  • Recognise the ethical and legal issues and obstacles for engaging and counseling children and youth.

Assessment tasks

  • Disordered Attachment
  • Child Taped Skills Assessment

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Explain attachment theory, evidence based research and its contribution to developing skills for interventions and family psychotherapy when working with children.
  • Apply professional practice principles concerning the psychotherapeutic relationship and interventions with children and families.
  • Integrate and synthesise the learning and knowledge of increasing parenting capacity through analysing parenting management approaches and strategies.
  • Recognise the ethical and legal issues and obstacles for engaging and counseling children and youth.
  • Apply decision-making strategies to resolve ethical questions to problems using the APS Code of Ethics, Guidelines and Mandatory reporting legislation, across a variety of contexts.
  • Implement communication skills effectively in writing and through verbal communication.

Assessment tasks

  • Disordered Attachment
  • Child Taped Skills Assessment

PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens

Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Apply professional practice principles concerning the psychotherapeutic relationship and interventions with children and families.
  • Integrate and synthesise the learning and knowledge of increasing parenting capacity through analysing parenting management approaches and strategies.
  • Recognise the ethical and legal issues and obstacles for engaging and counseling children and youth.
  • Apply decision-making strategies to resolve ethical questions to problems using the APS Code of Ethics, Guidelines and Mandatory reporting legislation, across a variety of contexts.
  • Implement communication skills effectively in writing and through verbal communication.

Assessment tasks

  • Disordered Attachment
  • Child Taped Skills Assessment