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BSc (Hons) Social Work is undergoing a University revalidation and approval by Social Work England, therefore last entry to this course is September 2023. For more information and to apply for September 2024 entry, please click here.

Gain the skills and knowledge you need to embark on a demanding but incredibly rewarding career with our BSc (Hons) Social Work degree at Northumbria.

During your course, you will gain confidence and knowledge of social work, ensuring you are ready to support and improve the lives of everyday people, from all walks of life.

Covering modules in Social Work Assessment and Intervention, Policy and Law, Ethics, Research, Safeguarding, and Leadership, you will gain knowledge which you can apply to your practice placements and, subsequently, your future employment.

At Northumbria, you will be taught by leading academics who have extensive practical experience in a wide range of social work contexts. Furthermore, successful completion of the course, will enable you to apply for registration with Social Work England - a legal requirement for all practising social workers in England.

 

What is a Social Worker?

A social worker is someone who seeks to improve people’s lives by helping with social and interpersonal difficulties, promoting human rights, and wellbeing. . They can support many kinds of people including the elderly, those with disabilities, people who have a learning disability, young offenders, children at risk of abuse, children living in foster care, autistic people, refugees, asylum seekers, people experiencing mental health difficulties, and those vulnerable to drug or alcohol abuse.
Social Work is motivated by human rights and the wellbeing of the public, ensuring that everyone, no matter their circumstances, is treated fairly and is safe from harm. They may do this by assessing the needs of an individual, planning the best solution to their problems, making referrals, organising support, or even providing direct support.

 

How does this Social Work course prepare me for work?

The course is delivered through a range of learning and assessment methods, designed to ensure you can gain lots of transferable skills, such as independence, team working, research skills, leaderships, and time management. These skills are vital for any career, including Social Work.
As well as this, you will take part in 170 days of assessed placements in the final two years of study. This will be a fantastic way to get hands-on, help real people, and get a real feel for the kind of clinical settings which you may work in after your studies.

 

 

Why study Social Work BSc (Hons) at Northumbria?

Top University: Northumbria is ranked 16th in Social Work in the UK (Guardian University League Table 2023).

Research Powerhouse: Social Policy research at Northumbria is ranked 3rd in the UK for research power (REF, 2021), this is because the academics who will teach you have been producing impactful research.

Excellent Connections: Our Social Work placements aim to provide you with the opportunity to gain skills in at least two practice settings. Our excellent connections with local healthcare organisations provides opportunities in residential settings, fieldwork teams, hospitals, day service/centre provision, and schools.

Student Rated - 95% of students studying Social Work at Northumbria believed the library resources supported their learning and that their assessment feedback was often on time (NSS, 2023).

 

 

Course Information

UCAS Code
L502

Level of Study
Undergraduate

Mode of Study
3 years full-time

Department
Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing

Location
Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University

City
Newcastle

Fee Information

Module Information

Department / Social Work, Education

Within this department, over half of our research in Social Work and Education has been rated as world leading or internationally excellent.

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Visit an Open Day to get an insight into what it's like to study Social Work BSc (Hons). Speak to staff and students from the course and get a tour of the facilities.

Entry Requirements 2024/25

Standard Entry

tbc

Fees and Funding 2024/25 Entry

UK Fee in Year 1: TBC

* The maximum tuition fee that we are permitted to charge for UK students is set by government. Tuition fees may increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, these are subject to government regulations and in line with inflation.


EU Fee in Year 1: TBC

International Fee in Year 1: TBC


Please see the main Funding Pages for 24/25 scholarship information.

 


ADDITIONAL COSTS

There are no Additional Costs

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Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

RV5001 -

Academic Language Skills for Nursing, Midwifery and Health; Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.

More information

SW0417 -

Introduction to the Social Work Profession (20 Credits)

You will learn through lectures and seminars facilitated by academic staff, many of whom are qualified and registered Social Workers and who have experience in practice from a range of settings. In addition to taught sessions, you will also be expected to attend a series of Skills Development Days which may be facilitated by current practitioners or service users. These sessions encourage you to reflect on your academic learning and apply this learning to practice scenarios, also the sessions are designed to support your learning throughout the module and support you in applying theoretical knowledge to practice situations.

As part of the module, you will undertake a short placement in a private, voluntary or independent sector social care organisation. You will also have the opportunity to meet and shadow a social worker in a local authority setting.

Your learning is supported by active use of the e-Learning Portal on which the Module Team will post e-resources and materials to support your learning about specific topics which are covered in lectures.

More information

SW0418 -

Skills for Social Work Intervention (20 Credits)

This module will prepare you to undertake direct practice with service users by enabling you to begin developing the practical skills you will need as a social worker. During the module, you will develop your core communication and interpersonal skills and the capacity to develop these further. Specific topics studied during the module include:

* Knowledge of self and the impact on communication
* Personal and professional boundaries as applied to simulated practice situations
* Verbal and non-verbal communication skills with a range of stakeholders
* Observation skills
* Written communication skills including professional letters, reports and case recording
* Interviewing skills, including listening, use of questioning techniques and telephone skills
* Assertiveness in professional contexts
* Managing conflict and effective negotiation
* Understanding service user perspectives including the impact of diversity upon communication
* Skills for reflection and evaluation in simulated practice situations

More information

SW0419 -

Community and Social Work (20 Credits)

This first year module will introduce you to the topic of community and social work. You will learn about what we (and others) mean when we talk about ‘community’. During the module you will learn about key concepts such as participation, empowerment and citizenship. You will explore the way professionals, volunteers and others work in and with communities to inspire social change. You will learn about the methods and community approaches they employ. The module will introduce you to the role of voluntary and community sector organisations and you will learn about concepts such as civil society and the third sector. You will learn about the policy context for these organisations and the contemporary issues they face. You will also have the opportunity to see how these organisations work in practice (and apply your knowledge) through a short placement.

As a social work student this module will develop your knowledge about the range of organisations social workers work with and in and the range of approaches employed to support and empower people in communities.

More information

SW0420 -

Introduction to Social Policy and Law (20 Credits)

This module introduces the academic disciplines of social policy and law. This module will develop your understanding of national and international policy and legislation and the implications for social work. During the module you will discuss key concepts such as equality, human rights and poverty. The module aims to provide you with a knowledge and understanding of key legislation relating to equality and human rights as well as relevant laws affecting social work practice. The module also aims to introduce you to social policy by discussing and contemporary social issues relating to social work, such as poverty, inequality, housing and health and social care and analysing the policies which aim to address these issues.

More information

SW0421 -

Sociological and Psychological Perspectives on Social Work (20 Credits)

This module has been designed to provide you with underpinning knowledge and understanding regarding the various theories and conceptual perspectives that influence and inform social work practice. This module will support you explore different approaches from sociology and psychology related to development across the life course, as well as the impact of social and psychological contexts to social work practice and service users. Through a range of teaching and learning strategies you will be encouraged to reflect on and explain how and why these thereotical perspectives are important to social work practice contributing therefore to your development as a student social worker and in your professional career.

More information

SW0422 -

Academic Information Skills and Critical Reflection (20 Credits)

This module aims to provide you with the initial foundations for acquisition and critical appraisal of knowledge with which to support your learning across the programme and evidence informed professional judgements in social work practice. These foundations will include the acquisition of academic information skills, key skills of critical reflection and an understanding of fundamental principles of social work research and knowledge creation and include consideration of relevant ethical issues.

More information

RV5001 -

Academic Language Skills for Nursing, Midwifery and Health; Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.

More information

SW0514 -

Preparing for Professional Practice (20 Credits)

This module builds upon teaching themes and your learning at Level 4. In line with the requirements of the Practice Capabilities Framework (PCF) the module aims to support you from beginning level practice to the end of the second year of professional social work education. The main topics and subject areas you will study include understanding professional organisations and contexts and collaborative working. There are 27 placement days attached to this module where you will have the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills as developing social work practitioners with service users, carers and other professionals in practice settings. You will demonstrate your professional development through applying your learning on professional practice within differing contexts and by taking responsibility for your conduct, practice and learning within a designated setting. The module will build on the theme of developing your critical self-awareness to enable you to develop your skills in the area of relationship building and collaborative working with a range of stakeholders in a variety of organisations. The module will assist you in developing your appreciation of critical reflection on your own professional journey and viewing this as a key skill for becoming an effective practitioner who is able to respond to changing economic, social, political and organisational contexts. You will have opportunities to build skills of mentoring undertake a peer mentoring role and be involved in the development of others in a supportive environment. The module teaching will provide you with the preparatory foundation for your practice as a professional which will be enhanced in level 5.

More information

SW0515 -

Social Work Assessment and Intervention (40 Credits)

This module has been designed to support you to recognise key concepts and underpinning knowledge about social work assessment and intervention to promote change with service users. You will examine a range of assessment and intervention methods and approaches within the social work process. Through a range of teaching and learning strategies you will be encouraged to explain and distinguish between the various intervention approaches and models of assessment. The module aims to orientate you to the breadth of social work processes, as well as the language and key terms. This module builds upon learning at Level 4 and aims to support you to extend and develop further practice skills in preparation for your first assessed practice learning opportunity.

Through this module you will explore frameworks and models for practice to enable you to develop your ability to respond to practice situations. A focus on specific forms of intervention and techniques will enable depth of knowledge to be gained, and core skills to develop, that will be applied in practice learning.

The syllabus will include:

• Models of assessment, gathering information and child observation
• Methods of intervention including planning and review.
• Enhanced communication skills and self-awareness in practice situations
• Management of self during assessments taking into account risks and assets.
• Incorporating personal and professional boundaries into practice
• Applying and using specific frameworks for assessment and models for intervention.
• Presenting and managing self within situations where conflict is an issue.

More information

SW0516 -

Social Work Law and Ethics (20 Credits)

The purpose of this module is to enable you to understand and explore the detailed application of the law in relation to social work practice in statutory, voluntary and community contexts, and in which it applies to children, young people and adults when your role is concerned with safeguarding and promoting the well- being of individuals, families and carers. You will examine the interface between the law, social work values and social work ethics, in order to consider how legal and policy frameworks are used to promote and sometimes restrict the rights of service users. You will also have an opportunity to consider how the law may be used to promote anti–oppressive and inclusive practice. You will reflect upon the complexity of contemporary universal and national laws, and the social and political contexts within service delivery settings. You will also develop your learning in relation to values, diversity, law and social justice within the Professional Capabilities Framework.

More information

SW0517 -

Risk and Resilience (20 Credits)

This module aims to support you to move from an ability to draw on an understanding of social and psychological factors in interpreting situations (developed at Level 4) to a capacity to critically apply this knowledge in interpreting risk and promoting resilience. You will explore ways of using evidence to inform decision-making and intervention, and draw on techniques for appraising the usefulness of evidence. This will inform your consideration of resilience and risk as key themes for understanding development, and be contextualised by an understanding of theories for interpreting human development, such as attachment theory. This module will further equip you with the underpinning knowledge needed to work effectively with individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences.

More information

SW0518 -

Critical Research Enquiry (20 Credits)

This module aims to build on your learning from the Year 1 “Academic Skills and Critical Reflection” module (SW0422). It aims to support you to move from being able to locate and make an initial critical appraisal of knowledge towards a deeper understanding of knowledge construction by way of understanding the social work research process, and alongside this, further developing your ability to appraise the quality of different forms of evidence. The curriculum will therefore focus on research methodologies and different elements of the research process. This is with a view to supporting your ability to inform your future practice with high quality and up-to-date evidence, and engage in effective life long learning. The assignments will invite you to explore and critically appraise research based knowledge in an area of your interest relevant to social work practice.

More information

SW0623 -

Leadership in Social Work (20 Credits)

This module builds on your learning from previous years, deepening your self-awareness, providing further opportunity for reflection and strengthening your ability to understand and function as a leader in the field of social work.

The learning outcomes set out below reflect the broad range of knowledge, skills and values that you will need to function as a leader. In order to prepare for your final placement and thereafter your professional career, the teaching will focus on developing your understanding of the concept of leadership and how it interacts with professional development and both moral and professional accountability
The areas covered in the module include:
• Considering the nature and application of leadership theories and styles
• Understanding the differences between leadership and management.
• The application of a systemic approach in order to understand developments within an organisation
• Developing an initial ability to consider strategic decisions in terms of a team and agency
• Exploring your own style of leadership and considering how the various theories of leadership and management relate to your style
• Social work leadership as a moral activity

More information

SW0624 -

Developing Skills for Complex Social Work Practice (20 Credits)

This module builds on your learning from previous years, deepening your self-awareness, providing further opportunity for reflection and strengthening your ability to practise as a social worker by working collaboratively with service users and other professionals. It will explore the process of assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation in complex situations within the legal and policy framework, informed by the best available evidence for practice. The learning outcomes set out below reflect the broad range of knowledge, skills and values that you will need to practise as a beginning social worker. In order to prepare for your final placement and thereafter your professional career, the teaching will concentrate on developing core skills for professional social work practice within a range of settings.

The areas covered in the module include:
• Specialist risk assessment and management skills including the identification of abuse and neglect in adults and children
• Higher level communication skills in complex practice
• Application of a range of theoretical models in social work practice
• Using professional judgement and knowledge to make informed decisions in different social work settings.
• Using evidence and research in practice
• Understanding the role of supervision in social work practice and using it for personal support, professional development and reflection
• Inter professional skills in complex practice settings

More information

SW0625 -

Rights Based Social Work Practice (20 Credits)

You will consolidate and extend learning on rights and values and diversity gained at Levels 4 and 5 and this will further prepare you for your final practice placement which commences following completion of teaching. You will consider the application of rights, values and diversity in relation to professional judgement and decision making in complex and changing statutory social work policy and practice contexts. Consideration of service user perspectives is embedded in the curriculum. Furthermore, you will develop your understanding of the challenges to providing good quality service delivery and professional practice focussing on organisational, policy and service user issues. In the 30 placement days attached to the module you will have an opportunity to develop knowledge and skills as qualifying social work practitioners with service users, carers and other professionals in practice settings.

More information

SW0626 -

Knowledge for Safeguarding Practice (20 Credits)

This module aims to prepare you for your final practice placement experience by further developing your knowledge and understanding of safeguarding across the life span and with reference to different service user groups. The module will assist you to develop your understanding of the interplay between relevant legislative frameworks and will encourage critical reflection on lessons learned from practice. Development of your knowledge of judgement and decision-making frameworks and inter-agency working practices are also areas of learning within the module. You will consider questions of participation, autonomy and capacity in relation to children, young people and vulnerable adults making links to knowledge of human growth, development and associated safeguarding practices. You will consider questions of professional power, individual choice, methods of engagement and communication and the use of frameworks for social control as aspects of safeguarding practice.

More information

SW0627 -

Critical Research Project (40 Credits)

This module builds upon your learning from modules SW0422 (Academic information skills and Critical Reflection– Year 1) and SW0518 (Critical Research Enquiry – Year 2). The module aims to help you move from being able to identify, understand and describe knowledge to being able to critically analyse, synthesise and generate knowledge. By the end of this module, you will improve your ability to inform your future practice with high quality and up-to-date evidence, and engage in effective lifelong learning. This module develops your learning in relation to critical reflection, enquiry and evidence-informed practice within the Professional Capabilities Framework.

This module focuses on the production of an evidence-informed project report on a topic relevant to social work practice within the Year 3 placement. This is with a view to enhancing your employability in settings where project planning and evaluation would be required. The report may be related to any topic of your choice that is relevant to the Year 3 placement. The scope for choice is wide to enable you to be creative and pursue topics of personal interest that you would like to learn more about.

More information

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

RV5001 -

Academic Language Skills for Nursing, Midwifery and Health; Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.

More information

SW0417 -

Introduction to the Social Work Profession (20 Credits)

You will learn through lectures and seminars facilitated by academic staff, many of whom are qualified and registered Social Workers and who have experience in practice from a range of settings. In addition to taught sessions, you will also be expected to attend a series of Skills Development Days which may be facilitated by current practitioners or service users. These sessions encourage you to reflect on your academic learning and apply this learning to practice scenarios, also the sessions are designed to support your learning throughout the module and support you in applying theoretical knowledge to practice situations.

As part of the module, you will undertake a short placement in a private, voluntary or independent sector social care organisation. You will also have the opportunity to meet and shadow a social worker in a local authority setting.

Your learning is supported by active use of the e-Learning Portal on which the Module Team will post e-resources and materials to support your learning about specific topics which are covered in lectures.

More information

SW0418 -

Skills for Social Work Intervention (20 Credits)

This module will prepare you to undertake direct practice with service users by enabling you to begin developing the practical skills you will need as a social worker. During the module, you will develop your core communication and interpersonal skills and the capacity to develop these further. Specific topics studied during the module include:

* Knowledge of self and the impact on communication
* Personal and professional boundaries as applied to simulated practice situations
* Verbal and non-verbal communication skills with a range of stakeholders
* Observation skills
* Written communication skills including professional letters, reports and case recording
* Interviewing skills, including listening, use of questioning techniques and telephone skills
* Assertiveness in professional contexts
* Managing conflict and effective negotiation
* Understanding service user perspectives including the impact of diversity upon communication
* Skills for reflection and evaluation in simulated practice situations

More information

SW0419 -

Community and Social Work (20 Credits)

This first year module will introduce you to the topic of community and social work. You will learn about what we (and others) mean when we talk about ‘community’. During the module you will learn about key concepts such as participation, empowerment and citizenship. You will explore the way professionals, volunteers and others work in and with communities to inspire social change. You will learn about the methods and community approaches they employ. The module will introduce you to the role of voluntary and community sector organisations and you will learn about concepts such as civil society and the third sector. You will learn about the policy context for these organisations and the contemporary issues they face. You will also have the opportunity to see how these organisations work in practice (and apply your knowledge) through a short placement.

As a social work student this module will develop your knowledge about the range of organisations social workers work with and in and the range of approaches employed to support and empower people in communities.

More information

SW0420 -

Introduction to Social Policy and Law (20 Credits)

This module introduces the academic disciplines of social policy and law. This module will develop your understanding of national and international policy and legislation and the implications for social work. During the module you will discuss key concepts such as equality, human rights and poverty. The module aims to provide you with a knowledge and understanding of key legislation relating to equality and human rights as well as relevant laws affecting social work practice. The module also aims to introduce you to social policy by discussing and contemporary social issues relating to social work, such as poverty, inequality, housing and health and social care and analysing the policies which aim to address these issues.

More information

SW0421 -

Sociological and Psychological Perspectives on Social Work (20 Credits)

This module has been designed to provide you with underpinning knowledge and understanding regarding the various theories and conceptual perspectives that influence and inform social work practice. This module will support you explore different approaches from sociology and psychology related to development across the life course, as well as the impact of social and psychological contexts to social work practice and service users. Through a range of teaching and learning strategies you will be encouraged to reflect on and explain how and why these thereotical perspectives are important to social work practice contributing therefore to your development as a student social worker and in your professional career.

More information

SW0422 -

Academic Information Skills and Critical Reflection (20 Credits)

This module aims to provide you with the initial foundations for acquisition and critical appraisal of knowledge with which to support your learning across the programme and evidence informed professional judgements in social work practice. These foundations will include the acquisition of academic information skills, key skills of critical reflection and an understanding of fundamental principles of social work research and knowledge creation and include consideration of relevant ethical issues.

More information

RV5001 -

Academic Language Skills for Nursing, Midwifery and Health; Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.

More information

SW0514 -

Preparing for Professional Practice (20 Credits)

This module builds upon teaching themes and your learning at Level 4. In line with the requirements of the Practice Capabilities Framework (PCF) the module aims to support you from beginning level practice to the end of the second year of professional social work education. The main topics and subject areas you will study include understanding professional organisations and contexts and collaborative working. There are 27 placement days attached to this module where you will have the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills as developing social work practitioners with service users, carers and other professionals in practice settings. You will demonstrate your professional development through applying your learning on professional practice within differing contexts and by taking responsibility for your conduct, practice and learning within a designated setting. The module will build on the theme of developing your critical self-awareness to enable you to develop your skills in the area of relationship building and collaborative working with a range of stakeholders in a variety of organisations. The module will assist you in developing your appreciation of critical reflection on your own professional journey and viewing this as a key skill for becoming an effective practitioner who is able to respond to changing economic, social, political and organisational contexts. You will have opportunities to build skills of mentoring undertake a peer mentoring role and be involved in the development of others in a supportive environment. The module teaching will provide you with the preparatory foundation for your practice as a professional which will be enhanced in level 5.

More information

SW0515 -

Social Work Assessment and Intervention (40 Credits)

This module has been designed to support you to recognise key concepts and underpinning knowledge about social work assessment and intervention to promote change with service users. You will examine a range of assessment and intervention methods and approaches within the social work process. Through a range of teaching and learning strategies you will be encouraged to explain and distinguish between the various intervention approaches and models of assessment. The module aims to orientate you to the breadth of social work processes, as well as the language and key terms. This module builds upon learning at Level 4 and aims to support you to extend and develop further practice skills in preparation for your first assessed practice learning opportunity.

Through this module you will explore frameworks and models for practice to enable you to develop your ability to respond to practice situations. A focus on specific forms of intervention and techniques will enable depth of knowledge to be gained, and core skills to develop, that will be applied in practice learning.

The syllabus will include:

• Models of assessment, gathering information and child observation
• Methods of intervention including planning and review.
• Enhanced communication skills and self-awareness in practice situations
• Management of self during assessments taking into account risks and assets.
• Incorporating personal and professional boundaries into practice
• Applying and using specific frameworks for assessment and models for intervention.
• Presenting and managing self within situations where conflict is an issue.

More information

SW0516 -

Social Work Law and Ethics (20 Credits)

The purpose of this module is to enable you to understand and explore the detailed application of the law in relation to social work practice in statutory, voluntary and community contexts, and in which it applies to children, young people and adults when your role is concerned with safeguarding and promoting the well- being of individuals, families and carers. You will examine the interface between the law, social work values and social work ethics, in order to consider how legal and policy frameworks are used to promote and sometimes restrict the rights of service users. You will also have an opportunity to consider how the law may be used to promote anti–oppressive and inclusive practice. You will reflect upon the complexity of contemporary universal and national laws, and the social and political contexts within service delivery settings. You will also develop your learning in relation to values, diversity, law and social justice within the Professional Capabilities Framework.

More information

SW0517 -

Risk and Resilience (20 Credits)

This module aims to support you to move from an ability to draw on an understanding of social and psychological factors in interpreting situations (developed at Level 4) to a capacity to critically apply this knowledge in interpreting risk and promoting resilience. You will explore ways of using evidence to inform decision-making and intervention, and draw on techniques for appraising the usefulness of evidence. This will inform your consideration of resilience and risk as key themes for understanding development, and be contextualised by an understanding of theories for interpreting human development, such as attachment theory. This module will further equip you with the underpinning knowledge needed to work effectively with individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences.

More information

SW0518 -

Critical Research Enquiry (20 Credits)

This module aims to build on your learning from the Year 1 “Academic Skills and Critical Reflection” module (SW0422). It aims to support you to move from being able to locate and make an initial critical appraisal of knowledge towards a deeper understanding of knowledge construction by way of understanding the social work research process, and alongside this, further developing your ability to appraise the quality of different forms of evidence. The curriculum will therefore focus on research methodologies and different elements of the research process. This is with a view to supporting your ability to inform your future practice with high quality and up-to-date evidence, and engage in effective life long learning. The assignments will invite you to explore and critically appraise research based knowledge in an area of your interest relevant to social work practice.

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SW0623 -

Leadership in Social Work (20 Credits)

This module builds on your learning from previous years, deepening your self-awareness, providing further opportunity for reflection and strengthening your ability to understand and function as a leader in the field of social work.

The learning outcomes set out below reflect the broad range of knowledge, skills and values that you will need to function as a leader. In order to prepare for your final placement and thereafter your professional career, the teaching will focus on developing your understanding of the concept of leadership and how it interacts with professional development and both moral and professional accountability
The areas covered in the module include:
• Considering the nature and application of leadership theories and styles
• Understanding the differences between leadership and management.
• The application of a systemic approach in order to understand developments within an organisation
• Developing an initial ability to consider strategic decisions in terms of a team and agency
• Exploring your own style of leadership and considering how the various theories of leadership and management relate to your style
• Social work leadership as a moral activity

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SW0624 -

Developing Skills for Complex Social Work Practice (20 Credits)

This module builds on your learning from previous years, deepening your self-awareness, providing further opportunity for reflection and strengthening your ability to practise as a social worker by working collaboratively with service users and other professionals. It will explore the process of assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation in complex situations within the legal and policy framework, informed by the best available evidence for practice. The learning outcomes set out below reflect the broad range of knowledge, skills and values that you will need to practise as a beginning social worker. In order to prepare for your final placement and thereafter your professional career, the teaching will concentrate on developing core skills for professional social work practice within a range of settings.

The areas covered in the module include:
• Specialist risk assessment and management skills including the identification of abuse and neglect in adults and children
• Higher level communication skills in complex practice
• Application of a range of theoretical models in social work practice
• Using professional judgement and knowledge to make informed decisions in different social work settings.
• Using evidence and research in practice
• Understanding the role of supervision in social work practice and using it for personal support, professional development and reflection
• Inter professional skills in complex practice settings

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SW0625 -

Rights Based Social Work Practice (20 Credits)

You will consolidate and extend learning on rights and values and diversity gained at Levels 4 and 5 and this will further prepare you for your final practice placement which commences following completion of teaching. You will consider the application of rights, values and diversity in relation to professional judgement and decision making in complex and changing statutory social work policy and practice contexts. Consideration of service user perspectives is embedded in the curriculum. Furthermore, you will develop your understanding of the challenges to providing good quality service delivery and professional practice focussing on organisational, policy and service user issues. In the 30 placement days attached to the module you will have an opportunity to develop knowledge and skills as qualifying social work practitioners with service users, carers and other professionals in practice settings.

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SW0626 -

Knowledge for Safeguarding Practice (20 Credits)

This module aims to prepare you for your final practice placement experience by further developing your knowledge and understanding of safeguarding across the life span and with reference to different service user groups. The module will assist you to develop your understanding of the interplay between relevant legislative frameworks and will encourage critical reflection on lessons learned from practice. Development of your knowledge of judgement and decision-making frameworks and inter-agency working practices are also areas of learning within the module. You will consider questions of participation, autonomy and capacity in relation to children, young people and vulnerable adults making links to knowledge of human growth, development and associated safeguarding practices. You will consider questions of professional power, individual choice, methods of engagement and communication and the use of frameworks for social control as aspects of safeguarding practice.

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SW0627 -

Critical Research Project (40 Credits)

This module builds upon your learning from modules SW0422 (Academic information skills and Critical Reflection– Year 1) and SW0518 (Critical Research Enquiry – Year 2). The module aims to help you move from being able to identify, understand and describe knowledge to being able to critically analyse, synthesise and generate knowledge. By the end of this module, you will improve your ability to inform your future practice with high quality and up-to-date evidence, and engage in effective lifelong learning. This module develops your learning in relation to critical reflection, enquiry and evidence-informed practice within the Professional Capabilities Framework.

This module focuses on the production of an evidence-informed project report on a topic relevant to social work practice within the Year 3 placement. This is with a view to enhancing your employability in settings where project planning and evaluation would be required. The report may be related to any topic of your choice that is relevant to the Year 3 placement. The scope for choice is wide to enable you to be creative and pursue topics of personal interest that you would like to learn more about.

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