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Department of Social & Policy Sciences, Unit Catalogue 2011/12


SP20130: Policy & practice in mental health

Click here for further information Credits: 6
Click here for further information Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Click here for further information Period: Semester 2
Click here for further information Assessment: ES 100%
Click here for further information Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Click here for further information Requisites: This unit is for SWASS students only.
Click here for further information Description: Aims:

* To prepare students for mental health social work practice in a rapidly changing inter-professional and organisational context;
* To critically examine the role of mental health social work in specialist and non-specialist settings.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the unit students will be able to:
* Identify the main dimensions of the social model of mental disorder;
* Locate social work within the multidisciplinary organisational context of mental health services (statutory and voluntary);
* Consider the relevance to practice of alternative models of mental health social work assessment, including risk assessment;
* Incorporate service user perspectives in the development of practice;
* Understand the relevance of care management and the care planning approach to mental health social work;
* Draw on an evidence-base for intervention in relation to mental health problems for children and young people;
* Draw on an evidence-base for intervention in relation to mental health problems for adults and older people;
* Understand the social work role in relation to mental health legislation;
* Identify the implications of anti-discriminatory practice for mental health social work.

Skills:
Intellectual:
* To think creatively and analytically (f/t/a);
* To communicate an argument (f/a);
* To critically evaluate and assess research and evidence (f/t/a);
* To gather information from a variety of sources (f/a);
* To synthesize information from a number of sources. Professional:
* To develop sensitivity to the values and interests of others (f/t/a);
* To apply principles of sociological and social policy analysis (t/a). Transferable key skills:
* Essay research, preparation and writing skills (f/t/a);
* To reflect upon own academic and professional performance (t/a). Knowledge outcomes:
* Knowledge of social processes impinging on service users (t/a);
* Knowledge of the nature of social work processes (t/a);
* Knowledge of services (t/a);
* Significance of legislative and policy frameworks (t/a);
* Knowledge of organisational processes (t/a).

Content:

* the policy context of mental health;
* organisational service framework;
* evidence-based policy and practice;
* mental health and the life-cycle;
* inequality and discrimination in mental health services;
* user perspectives;
* statutory intervention;
* assessment, including risk assessment.
Click here for further informationProgramme availability:

SP20130 is a Designated Essential Unit on the following programmes:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • UHSP-AFB15 : BSc (hons) Social Work and Applied Social Studies (Full-time) - Year 2

SP20130 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • UHSP-AFB14 : BSc (hons) Applied Social Studies (Full-time) - Year 2

NB. Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.