Course overview
This course will enable students to develop and demonstrate effective human service interviewing skills and their appropriate application. Students will engage in practice-based learning to develop their skills and knowledge in interviewing and the processes associated with human service interviews. This course employs a client-centred, anti-oppressive and strength-based framework where students will learn vital skills including establishing the interview environment, attending, active listening, empathic responding and influencing. Students will learn to manage the focus of an interview and move through the stages of a human service interview such as building an empathic relationship, listening for clients’ stories and strengths, goal setting, re-storying action and managing client records. Students will learn to apply these skills to working in diverse contexts and with a diverse range of clients. Students will also be required to demonstrate self-awareness by critically reflecting on their interviewing skills and developing professional identity.
Course learning outcomes
- Critically examine the purposes and processes of interviewing in social work and the human services
- Demonstrate basic skills and competencies in interviewing and managing client records.
- Manage the focus of an interview and moving through the stages of an interview
- Apply knowledge of client-centred, anti-oppressive and strength-based practice to working in diverse contexts and with a range of clients
- Demonstrate self-awareness and the ability to critically reflect on their own skills and effectiveness in the conduct of an interview