Social Work: Apprenticeship

This module is a basic introduction to working in a regulated profession. It covers rights and responsibilities under codes of practice.  It presents you with core ideas in social work and begins your journey of reflection and learning. This  module seeks to build your professional base and assess's your readiness to move to the second year of the course where you will be assessed in practice.

The module will draw upon your knowledge and experience and develop an understanding of the ethical framework in which the law and social policy is formulated in England and how it operates. You will understand how to apply ethical decision making as the basis for sound professional judgement

This module develops your understanding and application of sociology, ethics and psychology to social work.  The task of social work is managing moral dilemma and as such you will investigate both your own ethical and moral development and ground that within your reading. There is no easy prescription to social work. Using best evidence to inform one’s judgement on ethical decision-making is at the heart of effective social work. Social work is informed by a number of core disciplines to provide an underpinning knowledge base. However critical thinking and moral judgment are the two most important constructs social workers rely upon to practice both the art and science of social work.

You will be introduced to a range of skills needed in working with service users and carers, in order to develop confidence and competence in communicating with others, to gain experience of presentation skills, understand the importance of professional boundaries, promote choice and involve others in the decision making. You will be asked to undertake reflective exercises, peer and user feedback will be used throughout the module, alongside practical workshops to allow you to practise your skills. Building and sustaining relationships is the heart of good and effective social work. Building and developing key skills to communicate effectively to a range of diverse people is critical to effective social work practice.

This module gives apprentices a practical opportunity to advance their skills and knowledge in a social work service and enhance their capability. It will cover the core tasks of social work, risk assessment, assessment of needs, care planning, working with other professionals and developing and sustaining relationships with service users and carers. The SWA will need to demonstrate their skills in developing relationships, critical and analytical reflective thinking when confronted with problems and dilemmas, and working using best evidence, e.g. identifying what is best evidence and how it informs better outcomes for service users. 

This module will provide you with a basic understanding of social work law and its relationship with practice across adults and children’s legislation and policy frameworks. It will provide an opportunity to develop your critical skills and knowledge in analysing applied law in social work practice.  Acquiring legal literacy to perform safe and legal social work tasks is a core part of social work practice.  This module provides an understanding of the ethical basis of practice within a Human Rights framework to legitimise social work decision making.  Indicative legislation taught covers the following legislation: Children Act 1989, Mental Health Act 1983, Mental Capacity Act 2005, Care Act 2014, Human rights Act 1998 and Equalities Act 1998

This module will address safeguarding in both adult and child contexts; enabling you to recognise, and respond to signs of harm and abuse. It will support you in your analysis of assessment of risk. Risk and assessment  represent deceptively simple concepts, however good assessment is the cornerstone of social work practice and therefore will be explored in-depth. Assessments can have a significant impact on the lives of children, young people, families and communities; therefore assessment frameworks and the ways in which ways assessments are conducted and how information is used and analysed will be considered.  Effective assessment is a transparent area of practice where the social worker is clearly accountable for his/her actions. Stringent recording and communication are essential cornerstones of good practice. You will continue to learn about the importance of research and by encouraging research literacy you will develop skills required to be critically informed and your work be supported through evidence based practice.

This module will introduce you to critical thinking and reflective skills are essential to effective decision making and this module will take the form of critical reflective learning in small groups. You will share and investigate critical incidents from your practice experience in a safe learning environment supported by service users who are experienced in this type of  engagement and facilitated by lecturers. You will be invited to think about your practice and make links with relevant theories, skills and experience. 

This module will provide you with the opportunity to enhance your skill and knowledge in critically applying law in social work practice. Acquiring legal literacy to perform safe and legal social work tasks is a core part of social work practice.  In this module social work apprentices are expected to demonstrate their evaluative skills in applying social work legislation to their work-based learning.  You will be expected to not only know the powers and limits of the legal framework but provide defensible evaluation against legal and ethical challenge.

This module presents a range of key concepts in social work such as self-determination and strengths based working and how these impact on different service user groups, key issues and areas of concern such as: domestic abuse, drug and alcohol abuse, poverty and homelessness and mental health.  Being able to evaluate and critically analyse contemporary issues in society is fundamental to the core task of social work.

This module gives apprentices a practical opportunity to advance their skills and knowledge in a social work service and enhance their capability in preparation for their ASYE year.  It will cover the core tasks of social work, risk assessment, assessment of needs, care planning, working with other professionals and developing and sustaining relationships with service users and carers.  The SWA will need to demonstrate their skills in working autonomously, critical and analytical reflective thinking when confronted with problems and dilemmas, and working using best evidence, e.g. identifying what is best evidence and how it informs better outcomes for service users.

Ready for Practice 2 will focus on interprofessional working, interdisciplinary context, changing environments which uphold the rights and needs of individuals. The teaching and learning will  focus on developing adaptable and reflective practitioners ready for contemporary practice.