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.
• Identify housing challenges and solutions throughout the life course including: the impact of poor housing on children; intergenerational fairness in access to housing; and housing options and support for older people
• 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.

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

Facilitation of Task 2 narrative and facilitation of teaching sessions to support this task. Facilitation of lifespan development teaching session exploring disability.

None

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 recovery models, (LO4).
• Learning disability: social model of disability (LO4)
• Loss and bereavement (LO4).
• Physical impairment and disability: models of disability (LO4).
• A-typical ageing (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 also have to organise and 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 their observational, note taking skills, and demonstrate their 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.

Three sessions will be delivered on housing and lifespan development as part of the Chartered Institute of Housing membership. This will connect with LO2

By the end of the module you will be able to:

(LO1) Analyse and evaluate psychological and sociological theories of child development and apply them to a child observation.

(LO2) Identify characteristics of average development in childhood, and the potential impacts of change, loss, abuse and disruption.

(LO3) Discuss the service user’s perspective and reflect on what you have learned from your encounter with them.

(LO4) Analyse and evaluate different psychological and sociological theories of lifespan development (adult and child) and apply them to an adult narrative.

There are two summatively assessed tasks associated with this module.

Summative Assessed task:

Task 1:

A 2,000 word essay which draws upon a child observation and requires you to analyse, evaluate and apply psychological and sociological theories of child development. As part of this task you will also be required to identify characteristics of average development in childhood, and the potential impacts of change, loss, abuse and disruption.

As part of this task you will have to gain consent of the parent/guardian and any organisation you access to observe the child, you must provide the organisation and parent/guardian with an information sheet and gain written consent.

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 2,000 word essay based upon a PwLE narrative. In this task you will be required to discuss the service user’s perspective and reflect on what you have learned from your  encounter with them. Analyse and evaluate different psychological and sociological theories of lifespan development (adult and child) and apply them to the adult narrative.

This task will be assessed alongside LO 3 & LO4.

You must pass both tasks at 40 points or above to pass the module.

Formative Assessment:

You will have the opportunity to submit observation notes from a child observation for formative feedback.

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/605A6A30-5A53-CC72-FBC0-3F547B3FB384.html?lang=en-GB