module specification

This module introduces social theories, social constructs, and social policy whereby legislation, ethical issues, anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice and Law are embedded throughout the module.

Through the examination of the nine protected Characteristics under the Equality Act 2010, you will address structural issues that impact on the lives of People with Lived Experience.

You will explore and reflect on Global, National and Local issues and how these issues manifest into other social issues, such as homelessness, domestic violence, poverty, education, unemployment etc. (L01)

You will have direct input from People with Lived Experiences and social workers with regards to their lived personal and professional experiences of social issues.

You will scrutinise and analyse, ethical dilemmas and the tensions that exist between Law, legislation, policy and procedures and practice.

Aims

You will gain knowledge and understanding of housing Law and how it interconnects with social work practices.

You will be expected to undertake research in preparation for planning for a group presentation in order to develop your communication skills through collaboratively working within groups, which is a fundamental skill within social work.   (LO4)  

You will acquire knowledge from different sociological perspectives, social policy, human rights and Law. (LO1)

You will be encouraged to explore and question personal values and beliefs systems and investigate how this impacts and influences social work practice. (LO3)

You will have the opportunity

‘People with Lived Experience colleagues have contributed to the development, design and delivery of this module in the following ways

• Developed the case studies used
• Co-facilitated a session
• Marked the presentations’ etc

n/a

Essay writing LO6

Introduction to equality, diversity, and ethical practice. LO2

Introduction to Gender inequalities LO4

Introduction to Anti-Discriminatory Practice and Anti- Oppressive Practice LO4

Introduction to Disability policy LO1

Introduction to Social Policy LO3 & LO4

Introduction to sociology for social work LO1 &LO2

Introduction to Housing Law and housing policy LO1

Introduction to Group Presentations LO5

You will learn through a variety of different teaching methods/models, which are inclusive and take account of different learning styles the aim been to widen your participation.

You will embrace a number of pedagogical mediums through which you will learn.

You will experience, through the use of interactive lectures, seminars, group presentations, research, participation of social workers, People with Lived Experiences, adult learning questionnaires, online resources, (Podcasts, YouTube clips, twitter, BASW material, storytelling of different narratives) etc.

You will experience a diverse teaching platform which cater for diverse learning needs.   

You will work together as a team. Group work replicates some of the tensions, conflicts, apprehensions, anxieties, and ethical dilemmas which emerges from personal values and beliefs. Equally this activity facilitates, supports, encourages, empowers, inspires, and stimulates you to learn and teach each other.

Embedded throughout the module is reflective understanding and learning and as part of your formative assessment, you will have the prospect of submitting a reflective account on how you learn best.

At the end of this module you will be able to:

1. Understand how areas including law, social policy, sociology, housing and homelessness can inform Social Work practice
2. Understand the role of a social worker, within their expertise, and explore some of the ethical dilemmas and tensions that exist within social practice.
3. Discuss social welfare policy, its evolution, implementation and impact on people, professions and interagency working
4. Explain how values inform social theory and social policy and professional practice
5. Locate, retrieve and evaluate literature and on-line educational resources relevant to professional contexts
6. Practise oral and written communication skills and inter-personal skills including giving, receiving, and acting on constructive feedback.

Formative assessment.

You will be encouraged, after undertaking an exercise on ‘how you learn best’ to submit an account of your learning.

This assessment is introduced at the beginning of the module, and you will submit your account 5 weeks after the module has commenced. The accounts will provide you  with the opportunities to reflect on learning and to identify what has helped and what has hindered your learning. The feedback given, reflects on content as well as academic styles of writing. 500 words.

Summative assessment 

The summative assess consists of a 20-minute group presentation, which is based on one of the protected Characteristics. This exercise will allow you to prepare, plan and select a Characteristic through democratically negotiating and sharing ideas on the ‘why’ and the ‘how’. You will be expected to work together, cohesively, but at the same time recognise and acknowledge their different approaches to the tasks at hand.

The group presentation carries 20% of their marks.

The summative assessment also includes an essay, based on a Social Issue, which would involve social work interventions.  The essay allows you to independently select any social issue, which you will research, plan, and prepare. Thus, enabling you to further understand the role and responsibilities of a social worker and helps them consolidate their understanding and learning from their direct experiences (within the module) of social workers and People with Lived Experiences. Word count 2,000.     

You will explore social issues through the lens of one sociological perspective e.g. anti-racism, critical race theory, intersectional feminism, Marxism, functionalism, post-structuralism.

https://londonmet.rl.talis.com/modules/sw4008