SP12015: Introduction to social work
[Page last updated: 03 June 2024]
| Academic Year: | 2024/25 |
| Owning Department/School: | Department of Social & Policy Sciences |
| Credits: | 10 [equivalent to 20 CATS credits] |
| Notional Study Hours: | 200 |
| Level: | Certificate (FHEQ level 4) |
| Period: |
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| Assessment Summary: | CWES 100% |
| Assessment Detail: |
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| Supplementary Assessment: |
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| Requisites: | |
| Learning Outcomes: |
By the end of the unit students will be able to:
1. Identify the nature, purpose, functions and values of social work and how this has evolved historically, in order to be able to explain the role of the social worker in a range of contexts (PS 1.7; 2.3; 3.1; 3.3; 4.4; 6.3) * 2. Identify and explain the basic principles of a range of theories and methods for social work intervention with individuals, families, groups and communities and the methods derived from them. This knowledge will be displayed at an introductory level, sufficient to prepare you for entering placement in year 2 (PS 1.1-1.7; 2.1-2.7; 3.1- 3.5; 3.12- 3.15; 4.3; 4.4) 3. Identify the core legislative and policy frameworks relevant for social work and the profession's ethical principles and recognise how these impact on decision making in practice (PS 2.4; 2.6; 3.1; 4.3; 4.4; 5.1- 5.6; 6.1- 6.3) 4. Recognise the inter-agency, multidisciplinary and inter-professional dimensions to social work practice across private, voluntary and social enterprise organisation services (PS 1.6; 2.4; 3.6; 3.8; 3.9; 3.13; 4.1; 5.5; 6.3-6.5) 5. Identify and describe the broad range of communication skills for application in social work practice: verbal, non-verbal and written, essential for effective social work (PS 2.3-2.6; 3.9-3.11; 4.2; 4.3; 4.5; 4.7; 5.3; 5.6; 6.1; 6.3; 6.5) 6. Outline the social work process of assessment, planning, intervention and review and explain how it could be applied in different practice settings (PS 1.1-1.7; 2.1-2.5; 3.1-3.4; 3.12; 3.13; 4.1-4.4; 6.3) * Social Work England's Professional Standards (PS) |
| Synopsis: | Gain an overview of the social work profession. You will be introduced to core social work knowledge and the skills that are required for professional practice as well as the core values of the profession, including social justice and empowerment. Explore legislative and policy frameworks that inform practice and regulate the profession, and examine the historical development of the profession. |
| Content: | * Introduction to critical reflection theories, models and application to practice * A history of social work: contemporary definitions and international perspectives * Professional accountability and the regulation of social work * An introduction to social work and the law * Social work settings: communication skills and working with people * Introduction to social work theories and methods * Towards empowerment: theories of anti-discriminatory, anti-oppressive practice and cultural competence * The social work process: assessment, planning, intervention and review * Complexity, uncertainty and risk in social work. |
| Course availability: |
SP12015 is a Must Pass Unit on the following courses:Department of Social & Policy Sciences
SP12015 is Compulsory on the following courses:Department of Social & Policy Sciences
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Notes:
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