JSB307 Professional Placement in First Nations Justice Sectors


To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.


Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Unit code:JSB307
Credit points:12
Pre-requisite:144cp of previous study
Other Requisite:Unit Coordinator approval
Coordinator:Christopher Emzin | ca.emzin@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

This unit offers Work Integrated Learning (WIL) in the form of a professional placement in which you undertake a placement at a relevant First Nations justice-focused organisation or take part in the QUT-Cherbourg Project. In order to operate effectively in the workplace, you will need to be able to connect and apply the knowledge and theory you have gained from the other units in the degree to the practice of the profession. This unit supports you to develop these skills in a First Nations justice context.

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Examine how First Nations cultures, histories and perspectives intersect with workplace contexts.
  2. Research First Nations justice issues in the workplace to propose solutions and/or recommendations drawing on scholarly and professional literature.
  3. Plan projects to identify and address the core issues of workplace problems in First Nations justice sectors.
  4. Discuss and demonstrate professional conduct, culturally safe and inclusive approaches, and ethics in the workplace.
  5. Reflect on personal values and professional practice to articulate career goals and professional identity.
  6. Communicate about First Nations justice and workplace issues in respectful, professional and ethical ways with other professionals and stakeholders.
  7. Discuss the impact of technology on the justice sectors, your professional identity and career plan.

Content

This unit will cover the following:

  • Engaging with justice industry partners
  • Researching justice industry problems
  • Writing recommendations
  • Producing professional reports
  • Resume writing
  • Responding to selection criteria
  • Job interview skills
  • Career planning
  • Career opportunities and types of careers

You will work on a project or other work as discussed with and approved by the Unit Coordinator in a First Nations justice-focused placement organisation that you, your academic supervisor and your professional supervisor have agreed adequately addresses a problem or gap identified in your selected workplace. The project will as closely as possible involve you in the day-to-day operation of the workplace organisation and require you to work in accordance with the QUT Code of Conduct and professional ethics under the supervision of a workplace supervisor to ensure you achieve the objective of completing the project/work and reporting upon it. One such project includes the highly regarded Cherbourg-QUT Project whereby transdisciplinary student teams collaborate with Industry partners on Aboriginal Community-initiated projects using a participatory action research framework.

Learning Approaches

You will learn by undertaking work as directed by your workplace supervisor and reflecting on this experience. The writing of a report about your placement will assist you to synthesise theory and practice. You will be required to attend the placement organisation/participate in the project for at least 10 days. You may negotiate with your placement supervisor and your academic supervisor to attend more days per week for a shorter number of weeks if this better meets the needs of the placement organisation or project.

Whilst undertaking the unit, you are required to speak with your academic supervisor to discuss your progress in the unit. This will include the insights you are developing into how the knowledge you have gained in earlier units assists your critical awareness of the workings of the organisation in which you are undertaking the placement. Where your placement requires access to sensitive material, you may be asked to speak with your academic supervisor on a regular basis. You will also be contacted by your placement supervisor throughout the semester, via email, to check on your progress. Students may also be required to attend professional development seminars across the semester.

Students may also have the opportunity to undertake a placement in a remote location. These placements are designed to give students the opportunity to work intensively with organisations that largely provide services to First Nations communities. Such placements may be undertaken in a two-week block or over the course of a number of visits, with full days being spent in the workplace, depending on the requirements of the organisation. You are required to be in email and/or phone contact with your academic supervisor during your placement.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:

  • a range of formative exercises discussed and undertaken throughout the unit
  • feedback from industry as you investigate and discuss issues raised throughout the work placement
  • comments about summative assessment work included with your grade
  • general summative assessment feedback posted to the whole cohort via the unit Canvas website.

Assessment

Overview

In this unit there are three assessments:

1. Project Plan - This task builds on research and project planning skills to plan your real world investigation and identify the value for the organisation.

2. Portfolio - This task connects your placement experience with your professional development and practice.

3. Career Plan - This task builds on reflective practice and career skills to develop a career plan.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Project Plan

You will create an outline stating the nature of your real world investigation, the steps you will take to complete it and its value to the organisation.

The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is allowed to help you study and find out more about the topic; noting AI-generated content may not be accurate, reliable, or may display bias. Any content generated may not be copied and included in your final submission.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 10
Length: 500 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 5
Related Unit learning outcomes: 3

Assessment: Portfolio

This assessment will be negotiated between yourself, your placement supervisor and the academic supervisor. To meet the requirements of this assessment, you will either undertake a) project work, which involves an output; or b) practical work, which involves day-to-day practice work. You may work in a group during your placement, but you will create individual submissions reflecting your individual contributions.

Your workplace supervisor will provide feedback on your project and/or practical work. At the completion of the professional placement, the workplace supervisor will also provide you with written feedback on your professionalism, culturally safe and inclusive approaches and ethical conduct demonstrated during placement.

The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is allowed to help you study and find out more about the topic; noting AI-generated content may not be accurate, reliable, or may display bias. Any content generated may not be copied and included in your final submission.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 60
Length: Will vary according to placement, but approximately 2000 words as a guide.
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 12
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 4, 6

Assessment: Career Plan

You will reflect on your suitability for roles in the sector to identify your skills and strengths, areas in which you require further development and strategic next steps. Some of the areas to include are addressing the use and evolving nature of technology, inclusive and culturally safe practices, and ethics.

You will create a plan for your professional identity as a justice professional. Your plan will include creating a resume, preparing a portfolio to address selection criteria and career goals.

The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is allowed to help you study and find out more about the topic; noting AI-generated content may not be accurate, reliable, or may display bias. Any content generated may not be copied and included in your final submission.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 30
Length: 1500 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 13
Related Unit learning outcomes: 4, 5, 7

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

Queensland's Disability Worker Screening
Queensland's disability worker screening aims to improve the safety and quality of services being delivered to people living with disability. If you are seeking to work or volunteer with adults or children with disability in Queensland as part of your studies or work experience, you may need a clearance. For more details, please refer to Queensland's disability worker screening.

Police Check (Criminal History Check)
You may be required to undertake a criminal history check prior to commencing your placement. If you're required to do so, your placement organisation will provide details about what checks are required and how to apply.

Blue Card

A blue card is required to complete this unit. A blue card confirms that you have passed a screening of your criminal history (the Working with Children Check) and have been approved to work with children and young people. For more information on the blue card and how to apply please visit the QUT website.

Costs

Working with children check (blue card)
No cost through QUT. For more details, please refer to blue cards on the QUT website, and using a blue card in other states.

Queensland's Disability Worker Screening
For more details and associated costs, please refer to Queensland's disability worker screening.

Police Check (Criminal History Check)
For more details and associated costs please refer to QLD Government site Criminal history checks.

Resources

The School of Justice 'JSB307 Professional Placement in First Nations Justice Sectors Procedure Manual', which outlines roles, responsibilities and guidelines to successfully complete the work placement.

Any policy or procedures manuals that the placement/employer supervisor considers relevant.

Risk Assessment Statement

Students should become familiar with the emergency and evacuation procedures as they apply to their workplace.

Whilst on placement, students will be covered by QUT workers' compensation, public liability and professional indemnity insurance. It is also important to view the QUT WIL Health and Safety PowerPoint, 'Managing your rights, responsibilities and safety on placement', which will be made available on Canvas.

You may have to sign a confidentiality agreement whereby you agree not to disclose any information learned in the course of the placement to any person outside the field placement office. You will need to understand matters of intellectual property, conflict of interest and insurance, which are also detailed in the Health and Safety resources.

During this unit, you will discuss sensitive topics with your peers that may have significant impact and meaning to you, your peers and/or your teaching team. There may also be images of deceased First Nations people. The teaching team will aim to create a supportive and safe environment for all students enrolled in the unit. They will also support you to develop the appropriate skills to engage in these conversations in an appropriate and respectful manner to ensure a positive experience for all students. If you are concerned that the content of a unit may impact your completion of the course, please see the unit coordinator. You can also access free student counselling through QUT Counselling via the QUT Student Homepage.

There may be opportunities to undertake field trips as part of this unit. In the event that you participate in a field trip, further details of any associated risks will be communicated.

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

JS34 Bachelor of Justice

  1. Apply social and criminal justice principles to explain justice issues and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO1, Portfolio
  2. Collect and analyse evidence to inform decisions and recommendations in justice systems.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Project Plan, Portfolio
  3. Apply culturally safe and inclusive approaches to work with diverse communities and people as a Justice professional.
    Relates to: ULO3, ULO4, Project Plan, Portfolio, Career Plan
  4. Communicate justice and social issues in respectful, professional and ethical ways with other professionals and stakeholders.
    Relates to: ULO6, Portfolio
  5. Assess technologies and their impacts on social and justice sectors.
    Relates to: ULO7, Career Plan
  6. Reflect on personal values and professional practice to articulate a professional identity.
    Relates to: ULO5, Career Plan