module specification

Social Workers are required to develop and apply relevant knowledge from social work practice and research, social sciences, law, other professional and relevant fields, and from the experience of people who use services (PCF Domain 5).
This module will support you to apply knowledge acquired from sociological and psychological theories of adult and child development, people with lived experience and through a child observation task.
By the end of this module you will be able to:
● Identify, analyse and evaluate psychological and sociological theories of child and adult development. 
● Demonstrate an understanding of child developmental milestones within the parameters of diverse cultures and contexts. 
● Explain and analyse theories of adult development, to understand the specific, day to day difficulties and disadvantages faced by different adult service user groups including people who need the help and support of social care services because of ill-health, impairment/disability.
● Explain theories of loss and grief and identify differing models of support within the context of anti-oppressive and anti-discriminatory theory and practice.
● Apply psychological and sociological theories of  development to a child observation and an adult narrative task.

N/A
Available for Study Abroad? No.

This module will cover the following areas:
• The life-course perspective: life events, and transitions (LO1, LO2, LO4).
• Psychological and sociological perspectives on life-course expectations (LO1 & LO4).
• Anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice through the life-course (LO1,LO2 LO3& LO4)
• Service user perspectives (LO3)
• Child development (LO1)
• The relevant developmental milestones indicative of physical, social, emotional, sexual and cognitive development in children (LO2)
• Relationships between children and their families in a range of social, family and community structures (LO2)
• Attachment, loss and change: the short and long term effects of trauma, ill-treatment, separation and substitute care (LO2).
• Developing observation skills, evaluating development, reflecting on evidence, integrating theory and practice (LO1).
• Inequality, diversity and equality: understand a range of explanations of the physical, intellectual, psychological, emotional, spiritual, sexual and social development of children, and of their behaviour, in the context of a multi-racial and diverse society, good enough parenting, legal intervention and care and control (LO2).
• Housing and development (LO1,LO2 & LO4).
• Adult service user groups (LO3 &LO4)
• Models of understanding disability and impairment (LO4)
• Mental illness: psychological and sociological perspectives on mental illness, including service user/survivor voice, critical perspectives and Mad studies (LO4).
• Learning disability: social model of disability (LO4)
• Loss and bereavement (LO4).
• Physical impairment and disability: models of disability (LO4).
• A-typical ageing and caring roles and experiences (LO4)

There will be a mixed programme of independent study and scheduled teaching to include lectures, smaller group seminar learning, and interactive workshops with service users and external speakers.
You will be required to undertake three direct observations of a child (0-7 years of age) outside of scheduled teaching sessions. This will give you the opportunity to develop your observational, note taking skills, and demonstrate your understanding of consent and confidentiality and anonymity. These are key skills that social workers  are required to demonstrate in practice (PCF 1, 2 & 3).
You will be supported within seminar sessions to discuss your observations and apply theory to practice.

(LO1) Synthesize psychological and sociological theories of child development and apply them to a child observation..
(LO2) Reflexively engage with characteristics of average development in childhood, and the potential impacts of change, loss, abuse and disruption.
(LO3) Critically analyse an adult service user’s perspective and reflect on what can be learned from an account of their experience.
(LO4) Analyse and evaluate a wide range of psychological and sociological theories of lifespan development (adult and child) and apply them dynamically to an adult narrative.

There are two assessed tasks associated with this module.
Task 1:
A 2,000 word essay which draws upon an anonymised child observation. This task requires you to analyse, evaluate and apply psychological and sociological theories of child development. As part of this you will also be required to identify characteristics of average development in childhood, and the potential impacts of change, loss, abuse and disruption. The essay must be uploaded with the anonymised consent form and observational notes.
As part of this task you must obtain signed consent of the parent/guardian and consent from any organisation you access to observe the child. You must also provide the organisation and parent/guardian with an information sheet. The essay and observation notes must be anonymised with no identifying features
This task will be assessed alongside LO1 and LO2
Through completing this task you will;
• Develop your understanding of the importance of professional behaviour   (PCF 1) 
• Develop your understanding of professional boundaries (PCF 1)
• Develop your awareness of personal values and how these can impact on practice (PCF 2)
• Develop and demonstrate an initial understanding of the application of research, theory, evidence and knowledge from  sociology, social policy, psychology, health, human growth and development (PCF 5).
• Develop your understanding of why evidence is important and how it can be used in social work practice (PCF 6).
• Demonstrate core communication skills through obtaining consent and explaining their assignment (PCF 7).

Task 2:
A group presentation based on an Adult case study.

This task will be assessed alongside LO 3 & LO4.

You must pass both tasks at 50 points or above to pass the module.

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