BA (Hons) SOCIAL WORK

This first year module introduces key theoretical approaches used in social work to inform practice. A blended learning approach will allow you to develop skills in IT and information literacy.

This module develops practice skills and awareness of the social work role and responsibilities. It will ensure you are ready for the initial period of direct practice and provide you with a foundation for skills development throughout the programme.  Service users, carers and practitioners will be involved in the development, delivery and assessments of the module.

This module explores a range of human growth and development theories across the lifespan. It facilitates understanding of ordinary development and the impact of life events, disability, abuse, mental health problems, and drug/alcohol misuse on development throughout life. You will be assessed on your knowledge of psychological and sociological theories across the life course from infancy to later life. This will include key concepts, e.g. critical periods, transition; change and continuity; strengths, resources and resilience; adversity, vulnerability, risk and accumulation of risk (College of Social Work curriculum guide, 2012).

This module seeks to introduce themes and perspectives which constitute sociological thinking. You will be offered the opportunity of linking these themes to aspects of social work practice. This module examines the purpose of social work in society its role and function it also considers the nature of social problems that social workers may encounter.

Focusing on the most complex and contested areas of social work practice, the module introduces and addresses conflicting values by providing you with distinct ethical frameworks to consider these in the context of modern social work practice.

This module introduces students to the place and value of interprofessional and collaborative working in health and social care delivery. The module aims to support the development of the necessary communication, personal, partnership working and reflective practice skills required to meet the needs of clients/carers and diverse populations who are at the centre of interprofessional health and social care delivery. Students will work collaboratively on-line to explore and develop understanding of the purpose, scope and range of interprofessional and collaborative working.

This module brings together selected key areas of social policy relevant to social work. There will be a strong emphasis on the use of social policy to illuminate the challenges facing social work in contemporary British society. Using a critical analysis of the impact of neo-liberalism and globalisation the module will be a focus on the dimensions of decision making and practice delivery of policy.

The module introduces students to the key legislative and regulative framework within which social work practice is conducted in England. Students will be familiarised with the basic principles of English law and the systems through which the legal process operates. They will be enabled to develop a sound understanding of the key legislation relevant to professional practice.

This module explores the values, knowledge and skills required for effective communication, intervention and collaborative working and provides a theoretical context for further skills development in the second year via practice placement and skills days. It builds upon Readiness for Direct Practice in year one. The module enables students to engage with the values and concepts of collaborative working with service users, carers and other professionals and agencies.

This module extends students’ understanding of the concept of evidence based practice and research in practice. The module equips students with the core skills and understanding to appraise evidence and assess its appropriateness to be implemented into practice.

70 days practice learning in practice placement.

This module and the module Social Work with Adults are designed to complement one another and enable students to gain a holistic understanding of contemporary social work practice as well as develop their expertise and identity as social workers in working with a range of service users and their families within and across organisational and professional boundaries. The module aims to develop students understanding of and ability to work with the complex issues experienced by children, young people and families using social work services. It will have a particular focus on report writing as a core social work skill.

This module and the module Social Work with Children are designed to complement one another and enable students to gain an holistic understanding of contemporary social work practice as well as develop their expertise and identity as social workers in working with a range of service users and their families within and across organisational and professional boundaries. The module aims to develop students understanding of and ability to work with the complex issues experienced by adults using social work services. It will have a particular focus on report writing as a core social work skill.

Social workers must make difficult decisions in real life circumstances that often involve limited knowledge, uncertainty, conflicting values, time pressures and powerful emotions. These circumstances can pose a significant challenge to reasoning skills, especially when the cost of errors and poor judgment can be unacceptably high. This module aims to equip students with the intellectual tools and practical skills to understand and assess risk, to make high quality decisions and to remain resilient in challenging practice settings. It will integrate current research findings from the LSBU Risk, Resilience and Expert Decision making (RRED) research group.

This final year module will enable students to develop a critical understanding and appreciation of research and its relationship to social work. The module provides skills to develop the capacity for autonomous learning and to provide an opportunity to develop applied research skills. Students will develop an understanding of research methodology and be able to evaluate research and disseminate research findings to their practice. Studying this will enable students to develop as research literate social work practitioners and be able to gain the skills and confidence to locate and critically appraise relevant research findings to underpin social work interventions.

100 days practice learning in practice placement.