module specification

This module provides opportunities for students to:
• Develop practice skills in an environment that is risk-free for service users and students.
• Develop abilities, skills and understanding of the generic role of a social worker to achieve readiness for practice across a range of different service user groups
• Develop basic communication skills in-line with the Readiness for Practice criteria and PCF domain.

This module must be passed before progressing to module SW7049 – Practice Learning 1

• Communication skills and application to practice in relation to range of service user groups.
• Understanding of reflection, reflective practice and anti-oppressive practice
• Practice knowledge and skills including engagement, information
gathering, investigation, authenticity, active listening, self-awareness, use of self, interviewing & questioning skills, managing conflict & confrontation, the use of assertiveness, report writing,      presentation and recording skills
• Knowledge of the Social Work England Standards, understanding of professional accountability and the duty to report   concerns
• Knowledge of the BASW Code of Ethics and the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF)
• Knowledge of the use of supervision in practice and understanding of continual professional development

Learning Outcomes LO 1 - 4

The learning and teaching methods on this module will include the following approaches: 

• Interactive skills-based workshops: collaborative experiential learning
• Small group and peer learning and reflection on feedback
• Experiential role plays
• Case-study analysis and problem-based learning
• Personal reflection and reflective writing
• Preparation for supervision and direct practice
• Weblearn, video materials & other online educational content
• The module will include service user, carer and practitioner contributions 

The use of these approaches will be complemented by students’ active engagement with the learning process as they identify their own learning needs. Students will be encouraged to engage meaningfully with these strategies through personal reflection and reflective writing, use of WebLearn, visual materials and other online educational content. Students will be expected to access educational resources independently and also to work with peers outside of the formal teaching contact hours.  

                                                                        
The Placement Application Form (PAF) and the Personal and Professional Development Plan (PPDP) are an opportunity for the student to identify their overall professional development and goals related to the PCF and the Social Work England Standards and BASW Code of Ethics. 
These methods will be underpinned by an understanding of social work values, anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice, which will be integrated throughout the module.

On successful completion of the module students will be able to:

1. Critically demonstrate an understanding and awareness of social work values, anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice, knowledge and skills to permit progression to their first practice learning placement.
2. Demonstrate a critical and comprehensive understanding and an awareness of the social work context and social work practice, including legislative context.
3. Develop a critical understanding of professional boundaries and the social work role.
4. Critically demonstrate an ability to learn from service users and carers

This is a Prerequisite Module which all students must pass to progress to placement. Students will complete two Summative Assessment components. Students must pass both Summative Assessment Components.

The two components are:

1. Summative Assessment – Component 1 – Practical Reflective Task (50%)
The student is required to take part in a pratical task to demonstrate professional  communication skills, anti-oppressive practice and case recording skills in response to a given case scenario and service user interaction.

2. Summative Assessment - Component 2
2. Summative Assessment - Component 2- Reflection Evaluation of Learning (2,000  words) (50%)
The student is required to complete a two-thousand-word reflective evaluation where they discuss their learning from the practical task and the module contents more widely demonstrating how they will take this learning into future practice – the first placement (demonstrating readiness for direct practice). The evaluation must consider learning in relation to values, AOP ADP, legislation, professional boundaries and feedback from service users and/or carers

Core Textbooks:
Beckett, C. Jordan, P and Maynard, A. (2017) Values and Ethics in Social Work. 3rd Edition. United Kingdom: SAGE Publications

Beesley, P. Harrison, M and Watts, M. (2017) Developing your Communication Skills in Social Work. United Kingdom: SAGE Publications

Rogers, M et al. (2016). Developing Skills for Social Work Practice. United Kingdom: SAGE Publications

Harrison, R and Maclean, S. (2015) Theory and Practice: A Straightforward Guide for Social Work Students. 3rd edition. London: Kirwin Maclean Associates

Lishman, J et al. (2018) Social Work: An Introduction. 2nd edition. United Kingdom: SAGE Publications

Ruch, G. Tureney, D and Ward A. (2018) Relationship Based Social Work. 2nd edition. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishing

Scourfield, P (2017) Getting Ready for Direct Practice in Social Work. United Kingdom: SAGE Publications.

Trevithick, P. (2012) Social Work Skills and Knowledge: A practice handbook. 3rd edition. Maidenhead: Open University Press

Other Text:
Davies, K. and Jones, R. (eds.) (2015) Skills for social work practice. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. 

Moss, B. (2015) Communication skills in health and social care. United Kingdom: SAGE Publications

Journals:
The British Journal of Social Work.
Children and Families Journal of Social Work
Journal of Adult Protection

Websites
British Association of Social Workers (BASW) - https://www.basw.co.uk/
Social Work England - https://socialworkengland.org.uk/