BSc (Hons) Social Work

This module is an introduction to research, research methodologies and their relevance to social work practice. Students will give consideration to understanding research, research methodologies, and how these contribute to the formation of knowledge. Contemporary Social Work practice draws on a multidisciplinary body of knowledge and with a requirement to see practitioners engage in evidence based practice. It is therefore critical that students are able to appraise research methods and consider the appropriate application and use of knowledge or evidence to practice.

The use of self in social work practice is the combining of knowledge, values and skills gained in social work education with aspects of one’s personal self, including personality traits, belief systems, life experiences, and cultural heritage. Through the use of self as a therapeutic tool, you will be able to effectively establish rapport, build positive working relationships and thus improve outcomes of interventions. 

In the first half of this module students will be supported to raise awareness about their own personality, worldview, relationship skills and life experiences that can be drawn upon to bring about positive change in others. The second half of the module will focus on ‘learning about groups by being in a group’. Theoretical knowledge about groups: processes and dynamics will be applied in practice as students learn how to work collaboratively and effectively with others as a member of a team. 

Developing communication skills is integral to this module. It will include a ‘Communication Workshop’ in which students will work directly with individuals with ‘lived experiences’.

This module introduces students to the social work context. Students will develop an initial understanding of organisations and inter-agency working along with the nature of contemporary partnership working, within and across disciplines and agencies. Content covered during the module places emphasis on understanding the different needs and experiences of service users and carers, and with professional and non-professional colleagues in the agency setting. Students will be encouraged to explore contemporary societal issues from a range of perspectives and their impact on social work and vice versa. Personal and professional values will be explored.

Building on this knowledge students will be introduced to the professional capabilities needed to begin social work practice. It covers the Professional Capabilities Framework ensuring that students are able to meet the standard of Readiness to Practice prior to commencing their first placement. There is an emphasis on values and ethics, along with critical reflection and analysis. Students will be encouraged to consider how they will build resilience and confidence when in an unpredictable and demanding professional context. The module also considers issues of diversity and inequality alongside anti-oppressive practice. The module culminates in a self-audit of the Readiness to Practice capabilities giving the opportunity for the student to reflect on their achievements and development needs.

This module gives students the opportunity to develop an ethical approach to social work practice that is informed by sociological and ethical theory, and knowledge of legislation and social policy.

To begin with the student will gain a grounding and appreciation of a number of key concepts from a sociological perspective that are used to understand and explain the relationships between individuals and their social contexts. These concepts will be utilised in supporting the student to develop their understanding of social justice as a key social work value. It will provide a theoretical understanding to support students in practice with a range of service users and to reflect on the impact of their own values in co-producing with service users and seeking social justice.

Building on this knowledge, students will be introduced to relevant ethical frameworks, social policy and legal frameworks to help them to understand that law is limited when applied in practice and its necessary relationship to ethical practice. Ethical frameworks are presented and students will have the opportunity to develop their understanding of professional decision making and its relationship to social situations, law and ethics. Ethical dilemmas common to social work will be examined, together with professional standards. Students will be introduced to a range of legislation and social policy relating to social work practice and are supported to consider how global, national and local policy impacts on social work practice and the lives of those they will work with.

This module aims to support students to develop their capability and professional confidence in essential social work skills, including core communication skills, engaging and forming relationships, application of theoretical concepts, working with professional colleagues and critical reflection. Students will have the opportunity to put into practice core teaching from level 4 and further develop key and fundamental aspects of social work.

This module will give students knowledge underpinning legal and safe practice. Contemporary practice requires social workers to operate within a legal framework which comprises of powers and duties contained in primary and secondary legislation, statutory guidance and case law.

Within this, complex decisions need to be made in order to protect vulnerable people as well as promoting their rights, being mindful of operating within an ethical and moral framework. 

In this module students will develop the skills needed to keep up to date with legal knowledge and particular emphasis will be placed on the importance of research and evidence based practice. A focus of this module will be thinking and practising critically, by considering a range of complex case studies which will help students to be accountable in their practice.

Students, in developing ‘research mindedness’ will begin to understand what makes good social work research, have an introduction to methodologies and methods and the principles of systematic enquiry and putting research to use; applications and implications.

This module will prepare and support students in their practice placements.

This module will introduce students to a range of relevant tools, models, methods and theories in order to develop skills in supporting positive change and promoting equality in working directly with individuals, families, groups and communities, in preparation for and to run alongside the 70-day placement. Students will be expected to critically analyse the usefulness of applying the theories and methods to social work practice with individuals, families, groups or communities, particularly in regard to empowerment and anti-discriminatory practice.

Social workers engage with a diverse range of people across the life course, therefore a thorough understanding of human growth and development from a psychological perspective is a central element of social work practice. A person’s life course is not always a straightforward, linear progression, and the impact of social, political, cultural, economic and environmental factors must be recognised, so that inequalities identified in practice can be challenged.

This module will explore physical, cognitive, moral and personality development, the transitions and changes that occur throughout the life course and examine the factors that influence attachment, resilience and the development of an individuals and family’s emotional resources. The module will emphasise the development of human personality, behaviour and the positive outcomes that are being achieved by practitioners working in a variety of different settings using different techniques and interventions.

The module also provides students with the opportunity to challenge and critique normative views of development across the life course, emphasising the value and experience of diversity. In doing so, students will be encouraged to explore the impact of gender, sexual orientation, disability, culture, race and ethnicity through the life course and identify how in practice ideas of normative development can be used to inform social work practice and when these concepts should be challenged.

This module gives students the opportunity to advance their skills and knowledge in a social work setting and enhance their capabilities in preparation for their Assessed and Supported Year in Employment. 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 individuals, families and groups. The student 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, for example identifying what is best evidence and how it informs better outcomes for individuals’ families and groups.

This module addresses the challenges of assessing risk with regards to need and protecting service users from abuse and neglect. In doing so, it will support students to understand the complexities of assessment; going beyond simply identifying need, but to critically analyse information presented in order to effectively safeguard those we work with and manage risks. Assessment and risk 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 all service users, therefore assessment frameworks and the ways in which ways assessments are conducted and how information is used and analysed will be explored with students. Effective assessment is a transparent area of practice where the social worker is clearly accountable for their actions. Stringent recording and communication are essential cornerstones of good practice. Student’s will continue to learn about the importance of research and by encouraging research literacy they will develop skills required to be critically informed and their work be supported through evidence-based practice, practitioner input and case studies.

Social work practice relies fundamentally on the application of the best knowledge and understanding of all aspects of interventions and in the interests of the people who use the service. It requires research-minded practitioners who are aware of available research and have the skills to assess, interpret and apply its insights effectively.

Building on teaching from level 4, this module allows students to work independently on a topic of their choice, linked to their practice placement. Students will enhance their skills in critically examining research methods and develop their learning to promote research mindedness. Students will develop their knowledge of the role of evidence-based research in current social work practice and how to apply ethical principles in evaluating research.

This is an independent study module.

Building on from the learning and teaching in level 5 and from the 70-day placement, this module will provide students with the opportunity to develop their skill and knowledge in working directly with individuals, families and communities, safely and effectively.

Using the platform of established areas of practice, such as mental health, direct work with children and addictions, students will look at both direct practice in more depth and be introduced to relevant tools, methods and theories underpinning practice in these fields, including systemic and solution focused ideas as ways to intervene and effect change. Students will be encouraged to think critically about interventions, linked to research findings and also the contemporary context in which social work takes place, with a focus on sociological and political structures.