Available to SWASS and ASS students only.
Aims: To introduce students to the different style of learning required for professional social work training, enabling them to develop and demonstrate their professional competence. To provide a basic knowledge of significant legislative and policy frameworks and of services (including the relationship between statutory, voluntary and private sectors). To develop a broad range of communication skills for application in social work practice: verbal, non-verbal and written, essential for effective social work and to explore the links between theory and practice. To learn about task centred work and its potential application when undertaking an assessment. To explore the value base of social work and its application in practice.
Learning Outcomes:
After completing the unit, students will have knowledge of:Social processes that impinge on service users; nature of social work services and practices that can respond to diversity and tackle discrimination; the significance of legislative and policy frameworks and the effects on social work practice; knowledge of organisational processes such as policy implementation and the pursuit of quality in service delivery. They will also have knowledge of the skills required for effective communication in a range of settings, how to plan and conduct an initial assessment using a task-centred approach, the meaning of partnership working with service users, how to use supervision to contribute to their own professional development and to promote best social work practice.
Skills:
After completing the Unit students should be able to: Learn independently and be able to assess their own learning style and learning needs; select and synthesis appropriate and relevant material from a wide range of sources; utilise problem-solving skills in a variety of situations; explore a variety of relationships (e.g. with service users, with other professionals) and environments (e.g. statutory, voluntary sector) relevant to social work practice; develop sensitivity to the values and interests of others; reflect upon their own academic and professional performance and take responsibility for personal and professional learning and development. Students should also have developed appropriate study & learning skills; interpersonal and communication skills; essay research, preparation and writing skills; presentation skills and verbal communication; team and group working skills.
Content:
Models of adult learning and their implications. Social work today: its legislative and organisational contexts; the value base of social work. An introduction to social work theory and to practice methods (particularly task centred work) and developing skills as a reflective, anti-discriminatory practitioner. Communication skills for social work practice (focusing on face-to-face interviews with service users but including use of the telephone, report writing, communication with other professionals). Models of supervision on placement and in practice. Taking learning into practice.
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