Step up to Social Work - PDip

Students will be introduced to concepts of professionalism and relationships in social work and the role of self-monitoring, reflection, reflective practice and emotional resilience. They will learn about, critically discuss and practise a range of core communication and interpersonal skills. Indicative skills are: effective contact with service users and colleagues; active listening and attending skills; the role of non-verbal communication; empathy; effective use of questions; paraphrasing and summarising; challenging constructively and managing conflict; the use of electronic and telephone communication; constructive use of feedback; developing leadership skills; and working with people with special communication needs.

The module will begin with a general introduction to lifespan approaches. Students will study physical, cognitive and social development in early and later childhood; attachment theory and its relevance to social work practice; and the impact of life transitions, loss, trauma, disability, neglect and abuse, as well as issues around resilience. Broader social influences on individuals and families will also be examined, such as diversity and difference throughout the life span, acknowledging cross-cultural differences in attachment, development and separation. In relation to each topic multiple perspectives (biological/medical, cognitive, developmental, psychodynamic, humanistic, narrative, among others) will be critically examined. Theoretical learning about life-course development will be systematically linked to social work practice with children and families in relation to the assessment of need, risk and strengths, working in partnership, and ethical and value-based interventions.

Through this module students will develop a critical understanding of social work processes, including models and methods of assessment and intervention relevant to child and family social work. Students will explore and critically reflect on the role of theory in social work and its intersection with the development of interventions and social work skills. Specific approaches and perspectives in assessment and intervention with individuals, families, groups and communities will be explored and critically reviewed, including systemic and therapeutic approaches, motivational interviewing, and the Signs of Safety model. The module will incorporate use of simulations from the Centre for Child Protection to support students in relating their learning and practising their skills in a simulated practice situation.

The curriculum will address the need for social workers to have in depth knowledge and understanding of the law and its applications to social work practice. The history, context, and nature of English law and law making will be covered including natural law and positivist law and their intersection with ethics and philosophy. The 'legal framework' of English social work including legislation, quasi-legislation and social policy will be outlined, as will the process - and political context - of policy-making and implementation. Primary and secondary legislation, policy and guidance and the cases that together constitute 'the law & policy' relating to key service user groups will be outlined. Students will study the application of legislation and policy as it relates to social work with children and families, including its duties and discretionary powers. Judicial interpretation relevant to social work, the role and nature of Courts and the legal profession, legal procedure and the nature of evidence will also be covered. Human Rights and equality law with a particular focus on justice and the promotion of equality in the areas of race"

Students will undertake a period of assessed practice learning, in accordance with the national requirements for Social Work education for the first year of a postgraduate Social Work course. They will develop skills, knowledge and values through experiential learning supervised by a qualified practice educator. Involvement in practice activities will enable students to demonstrate effective use of knowledge, skills and commitment to core values in social work in a given setting in predominantly less complex situations, with supervision and support. They will be expected to show capacity to work with people in situations where there may not be simple clear-cut solutions.

More information to follow.

More information to follow.

More information to follow.