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

• Understanding of reflection, reflective practice and anti-oppressive practice.  LO 1,2

• Communication skills and application to practice in relation to a range of service user groups.  LO 3,4

• Practice knowledge and skills including engagement, information gathering, investigation, authenticity, active listening, self-awareness, use of self, interviewing and questioning skills, managing conflict and confrontation, the use of assertiveness, report writing, presentation and recording skills. LO 2,3,4

• Knowledge of the HCPC Social Work Standards of proficiency, British Association of Social Workers (BASW) Capabilities Framework and the BASW Code of Ethics and understanding of professional accountability and the duty to report concerns.  LO 1,2,3

• Use of supervision in practice and understanding of continual professional development.  LO 1,2,3,4

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.  Resources for example, reflective learning logs will be made available to students on Weblearn.   Students will be expected        to access educational resources independently and also to work with peers outside of the formal teaching contact hours.                                                                           . 
Personal and Professional Development Plan (PPDP) is an opportunity for the student to identify their overall professional goals related to the PCF and the HCPC’s Standard of Conduct and Ethics and students will also be encouraged to develop individual (PPDP). 
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 compile a Portfolio consisting of two Summative Assessment components. Students must pass all two Summative Assessment Components.

The two components are:

1. Summative Assessment - Component 1-
Reflection Evaluation of Learning (3,000 words) (50%)
The student is required to complete a two-thousand-word reflective evaluation on what they have learnt from the communication, skills and values module and demonstrate how they will take this learning into future practice – the first placement (demonstrating readiness for direct practice).

2. Summative Assessment - Component 2 -
Placement Application Form (50%)
The student is required to complete a placement application form that clearly details the students’ strengths and areas for further development. The application form is matched to the PCF and clearly identifies the students’ self-identified learning needs in relation to social work practice and their first placement. All students will have a prior formative attempt to complete the placement application form to the required standard but will make only one summative submission.

Core Textbooks:
Davies, K. and Jones, R. (eds.) (2015) Skills for social work practice. Basingstoke Palgrave McMillian
Other Text:
Moss, B. (2015) Communication skills in health and social care. London: SAGE Publications
Parrott, L. (2014) Values and ethics in social work practice. London: 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 - is the largest association representing social work and social workers in the UK and is now the guardians of the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF).  http://www.ingentaconnect.com/