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Law and Social Policy for Social Work

This unit forms part of Year One of the MA in Social Work. It examines key areas of the law and social policy relevant to social work. The unit introduces key concepts in the legal system and social policy. It then critically examines law and policy relating to human rights, youth justice, mental health, community care, the family and child protection. Material from public enquiries and actual cases reported in the courts and the media will be used to supplement learning and students will also consider social policy from comparative perspectives, using examples from other countries.

30 credits

Social Work Practice - Contexts, Values and Skills

This unit forms part of Year One of the MA in Social Work. This unit enables students to develop a range of literature search skills and skills for social work practice. Students will be introduced to a range of key principles and values underpinning professional activity and be provided with an introduction to core professional skills which will enable them to prepare for and progress to their first practice placement. Final assessment will utilise case material drawn from work undertaken on the student's first practice placement. Classroom exercises will focus on identifying service user perspectives and the skills and strategies required to practice in a safe, responsible and ethical way.

15 credits

Human Growth and development through the Life Course for Social Workers

Students will critically evaluate theories and literature in the areas of child and adult development and consider ways in which these relate to social work practice across the human life course and at the end of life. They will also consider the research evidence and theoretical perspectives which underpin a range of approaches to social work practice interventions based on these differing perspectives. A variety of taught sessions and seminars incorporating service user and practitioner perspectives will focus on helping students to make age-appropriate assessments across the life course, to understand the importance of cultural context, to explore aspects of parenting and influence of family structures on child and adult experiences with the aim of helping students to acquire the skills and strategies necessary to practice in a safe, sensitive, responsible and ethical way.

15 credits

Readiness for Practice Placement One

All students following a qualifying level social work programme are expected to undertake a minimum of 200 practice learning days across two 100-day placements, including approved independent study time. Under new professional arrangements, no student can be allowed to commence their first period of practice placement (SCS6058) without the University having satisfied itself that the safety of vulnerable service users will not be compromised. The module, together with the relevant assessment elements of other academic modules (see SCS6059 and SCS6061), will provide an assessment of a student's readiness for practice and their capability and entitlement to progress onto their first practice placement. The Portfolio assessment will comprise of: a Profile, 1,000 word Reflection - CVS1, CSV Workbook, Presentation slides from SCS6059, OH and DBS checks.

Practice Placement One

All students following a qualifying level social work programmes are expected to undertake a total of 200 practice learning days, including approved independent study time. The first practice placement is for 78 days, including 4 preparatory skills days prior to placement commencement which will contribute to the assessment of a student's readiness to undertake direct practice and 4 further (a total of 8) skills development days, as set out in the new national curriculum proposals, designed to enhance student learning on more specialist skills. It consolidates and builds students' skills relating social work theories and approaches, life course development, legislation, policy and guidance informing practice. It provides opportunities to apply this knowledge to direct work with service users in a diverse range of settings; and to develop skills in working in organisations and increase their understanding of, and skills in, multi-disciplinary practice.

Continuing across years one and two:

Dissertation

Students undertaking the MA should begin working for their dissertation as early as possible in the course and no later than the summer period between Year 1 and Year 2 (ideally during semester 2 of year 1). Students are expected to define their own topic in consultation with tutors. This topic must be related to practice issues in social work.

60 credits

Safeguarding in Social Work Practice

This module provides opportunities for students to further develop skills in assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation in practice, with a particular focus on the safeguarding of vulnerable adults and children. By focusing on the interface between children's and adults' services, students will consolidate and extend their existing skills in work with children and/or adults and partnership approaches to working with service users and colleagues from other disciplines. The module will consider contexts for safeguarding children and adults with particular reference to the impact of substance misuse, mental ill-health, domestic abuse, disability and older age risks and vulnerabilities on individuals and families. The module will also critically evaluate risk assessment in relation to child protection and adult protection and legislative frameworks and multi-disciplinary approaches to safeguarding adults and children.

30 credits

Skills for Social Work Practice

Students will explore in greater depth a number of key theories for practice intervention, which will equip them with some core skills for practice. The work undertaken on this module will link to work already undertaken on their first practice placement and will be carried forward in their final placement, offering the opportunity to put some of the skills into practice and to develop a critical awareness of their situational applicability and a balanced view of their advantages and disadvantages in the practice context. Some opportunities to explore specialist pathways will be offered. The module contributes 9 skills development days, as set out in the new national curriculum proposals, designed to further enhance student learning on more specialist skills.

15 credits

Social Work Professional Development

This module will build upon knowledge of social work methods and approaches gained through academic and practice learning in Year One. Students will critically evaluate the main theoretical models relating to issues and circumstances which may impact upon service users at the point at which they interact with their environment. The module will also consider anti-oppressive and critically reflective practice, in order to develop their skills in the area of evidence-informed practice and their ability to identify and reflect critically on areas for personal and professional development.

15 credits

Practice Placement Two

All students following a qualifying level social work programmes are expected to undertake a total of 200 practice learning days, including approved independent study time. The second practice placement is for 103 daysand is linked to the Year Two taught modules. It provides opportunities for students to increase their knowledge of the legislation, policy and guidance informing practice by working with a service user group different to the one worked with during practice placement one. They will also have the opportunity to apply this knowledge to direct work with service users, improve skills in working in organisations and increase their understanding of, and skills in, working in a multi-disciplinary context, with a particular emphasis on safeguarding issues. The placement also incorporates 3 skills development days, as set out in the new national curriculum proposals to further enhance their learning on more specialist skills.

Continuing across years one and two:

Dissertation

Students undertaking the MA should begin working for their dissertation as early as possible in the course and no later than the summer period between Year 1 and Year 2 (ideally during semester 2 of year 1). Students are expected to define their own topic in consultation with tutors. This topic must be related to practice issues in social work.

60 credits