Department of Social & Policy Sciences, Unit Catalogue 2007/08 |
SP30033 Children & families |
| Credits: 6 |
| Level: Honours |
| Semester: 1 |
| Assessment: CW 100% |
| Requisites: |
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This unit is for SWASS and ASS students only.
Aims: To develop students' knowledge and skills for social work practice with children and their families in a range of settings and across professional boundaries and disciplines.
Learning Outcomes: After completing the unit, students will have knowledge of significant legislative and policy frameworks and policy developments in relation to children and child care services in England; the social work role in child care in statutory, voluntary and private sector settings; attachment theory and its relevance in assessment of children's developmental needs and their parents' capacity to meet those needs; factors that might inhibit a parent's capacity to meet their child's needs, including wider family and environmental factors; methods of intervention with children and with adults. They will be prepared to undertake work with individual children, families, carers and other professionals; assess needs and risks; plan and carry out a course of action in response to an assessment; work effectively in a multi-professional environment. Skills: After completing the unit, students should be able to: * Critically evaluate current models of assessment of children and their families and identify the shortcomings of such models. * Use such models in practice to undertake assessments of children in need and their families. * Draw on their knowledge of attachment theory, child development and theories of change in selecting or designing interventions to meet the needs of children. * Use research evidence to inform their practice. * Undertake direct work with children using appropriate communication skills and tools, to ensure their views are heard. * Work in partnership with parents, carers and other professionals (including those from different disciplines). Content: Introduction to work with children and families; the legislative framework; children's and parents' rights; children "in need". Policy and practice developments in child care; recent research findings and their implications for practice. Attachment theory and its application. Current models of assessment and their application in practice. Using assessment to plan interventions, using the evidence base regarding their effectiveness. Direct work with children, with their carers and with the wider family and community. Children looked after: fostering and adoption; children in residential care. |