Dissertation
Forensic Social Work: A Needed Specialisation within Australian Social Work Education
University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Doctor of Philosophy, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25907/00927
Abstract
Australian social workers have a long history of working within and alongside the legal and criminal justice system. Social work practitioners support clients engaged with the civil and criminal legal system, including family law, forensic mental health, youth justice, probation/parole, and correctional sectors. Forensic social work is not recognised as a specialisation in Australia and does not require additional qualifications after generalist social work. This thesis explores the skills and knowledge associated with forensic social work and the gaps in generalist social work education that may hinder graduates' readiness for the field. It explores how simulation-based learning can address these gaps, offering a pedagogical solution to assessing and developing practice readiness. By focusing on practice readiness, the research highlights the need for a shift in Australian social work education to ensure graduates are adequately prepared for the specialised demands of forensic social work.
Details
- Title
- Forensic Social Work: A Needed Specialisation within Australian Social Work Education
- Authors
- Dimitra Lattas - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit
- Contributors
- Cindy Davis (Principal Supervisor) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Cancer Research ClusterCatherine Creamer (Co-Supervisor) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Law and SocietyGerard Jefferies (Co-Supervisor) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Law and Society
- Awarding institution
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Degree awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- DOI
- 10.25907/00927
- Organisation Unit
- School of Law and Society
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991128904602621
- Output Type
- Dissertation
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