This module will engage students' understanding of the legal, social and political context for multi-agency working with an emphasis on current national initiatives and the rationale for them. Students will critically analyse the professional and practical barriers to partnership working and how these might be minimised. Models for teamwork in social care and their relevance to multi-disciplinary settings will be outlined. Exploration of systems theory and psychodynamic models as explanatory frameworks will also be a feature. Examples of multi-disciplinary teams in practice – i.e. Sure Start, Youth Offending, Mental Health etc. will enable students to apply these theoretical frameworks effectively.
The module will include a focus on skills in multi–disciplinary working, including negotiating across professional boundaries and addressing issues of power and inequality. The module will explain the links between national initiatives to improved services and outcomes for users
Total contact hours: 22
Private study hours: 128
Total study hours: 150
Social Work BA - compulsory
Main assessment methods
Coursework - reflective analysis – (2000 words) – 50%*
Coursework - presentation (20 minutes) with written summary (1000 words) – 50%*
* These components are 'Pass compulsory' – students must pass the individual assessments in order to pass the module overall.
Reassessment methods
Like-for-like
Anning, A, Cottrell, D, Frost, N, Green, J & Robinson, M. (2010) Developing Multi-Professional Teamwork for Integrated Children's Services, Maidenhead: Open University Press
Bailey, D, (2012). Interdisciplinary working in mental health, Houndsmill: Palgrave Macmillan
Baker ,K & Sutherland, A (2009). Multi- Agency Public Protection Arrangements and Youth Justice, Bristol: Policy Press
Crawford, K, (2011) Interprofessional Collaboration in Social Work Practice, London: Sage
Quinney A (2010) Collaborative Social Work Practice Learning 2nd Ed, Exeter: Learning Matters Ltd.
Taylor, I (2012) Multi-professional Teams and the Learning Organization in Gould N & Baldwin M (eds) Social Work, Critical Reflection and the Learning Organization, Aldershot: Ashgate
See the library reading list for this module (Medway)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
8.1 Demonstrate a critical understanding of the relationship between agency policies, legal requirements and professional boundaries in shaping the nature of services in a multi-agency practice context.
8.2 Demonstrate knowledge of and reflect on the respective responsibilities of social welfare agencies and social care professionals, taking into account national practice and research
8.3 Identify the values, factors and processes that may hinder or facilitate collaboration and interagency activity
8.4 Critically understand and evaluate established models of team working and related systems
8.5 Apply, reflect on and evaluate theoretical models for collaboration at individual, inter professional and multi-agency levels
8.6 Analyse the significance of effective partnership working for service users in achieving appropriate care and support and identify areas where this may be problematic
8.7 Identify the specific social work role and responsibilities and be able to articulate them in a multi-agency context
8.8 Apply and evaluate skills for establishing effective relationships, working co-operatively with others, managing conflict and liaising and negotiating across organisational and professional boundaries
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
9.1 Demonstrate enhanced research and organisational skills, information technology skills, problem solving skills and skills in gathering, analysing and synthesising information commensurate with level 6 study.
9.2 Communicate effectively with others in an appropriate way in seminar/workshops and show the ability to work as a member of a team with the required negotiating and communication skills.
9.3 Critically reflect on and demonstrate understanding of the contributions of colleagues in related professional fields.
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