School of Health & Social Care
Module Guide
Module Code: FDS1058-N
Module Title: Social Work Support: Foundations of
Practice (Year 1)
Academic Level:
4
Credits:
60
Module Leader:
Phil Watson
Module Guide Updated – February 2015
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Welcome by Module Leader
Welcome to the Foundations of Practice module. The module is an integral part
of the Certificate in Higher Education: Social Work Support programme. This
module is designed to meet the needs of people who work in social work
support roles and who are helping, protecting and advising service users in a
range of settings. The module is designed to develop the knowledge and skills
of students so as to enhance the quality of their work.
The module will enable students to demonstrate that they are becoming self directed learners and show how they are able to integrate theory to practice and
practice to theory. The module will examine appropriate attitudes, values,
principles and perspectives, legislation, policies and codes of practice relevant
to their work. Students will also explore ways in which their specific
work/practice is influenced by a range of developments and drivers. Students
will identify and explore the existing skills and knowledge they have and which
are relevant to their role and identify areas for further development.
Students will be supported in identifying specific areas for their own personal
and professional development. Students will require the support of an
experienced member of their team, normally a qualified social worker, who will
help to guide and support their learning throughout the duration of the
programme. This person will act as their Practice Guide. The Practice Guide
will play an important role in enabling the student to develop a Learning
Contract. This acts as a tool in enabling the student to achieve all of the module
learning outcomes.
Module Leader
Philip Watson Philip.Watson@tees.ac.uk (Tel: 01642 384917)
Centuria Building Room 2.15
Module Team Contact Details
Philip Watson Philip.Watson@tees.ac.uk (Tel: 01642 384917)
Centuria Building Room H2.15
Caroline Kelly C.Kelly@tees.ac.uk ( Tel: 01642 384182 )
Centuria Building Room H2.15
Charlotte Chisnell C.Chisnell@tees.ac.uk ( Tel: 01642 3844141)
Centuria Building Room H2.15
Mary Van Loo M.vanloo@tees.ac.uk (Tel: 01642 384932)
Centuria Room H0.24
John Waine
J.Waine@tees.ac.uk ( Tel: 01642 3844531)
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Module Aims
Every module has a set of aims and these are the aims of this module;
The module aims to enable you the student to:
1.
Develop your practice and understanding of your work role by engaging in
reflective, evidence based approaches to your practice, making links between theory
to practice and practice to theory.
2.
Locate your work and practice contextually, developing an awareness of forces
and drivers that influence and impact upon social work in your setting and how these
influence your own work.
3.
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of concepts, values, principles and
capabilities that underpin social work and your own role and practice.
Module Learning Outcomes
In order to achieve the aims of a module, students are required to achieve the
Module Learning Outcomes.
Here are the module outcomes for the Foundations of Practice module;
Knowledge and Understanding
1. You will describe, explain and use relevant frameworks, theory and concepts
that relate to social work, to your area of practice and that underpin care and
support for service users
2. You will describe, explain and use legal, ethical and professional principles
relating to social work and social care
3. You will describe, explain and use legislation and policies relating to social work
and social care
4. You will identify and explain barriers or potential barriers to practice
development and strategies to challenge and/or overcome them
5. You will describe and discuss strategies available to promote the rights of
service users and to promote their well-being
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Cognitive and Intellectual Skills
1. You will systematically gather, record and describe data/ evidence from a range
of sources to support a change in personal, professional and/or skills
development
2. You will recognise the provisional and changing nature of knowledge related to
the protection of vulnerable people and the safety of self and others
3. You will recognise key areas of development in their practice and/or work
setting based on evidence based research
4. You will apply tools/ methods accurately and carefully to inform needs-based
assessment and client support requirements and begin to appreciate the
complexities of associated issues
5. You will demonstrate the application of specific skills and knowledge that
underpin service provision and partnership working
Practical and Professional Skills
1. You will participate within a social work/multi-disciplinary team to provide an
effective assessment and plan the support service users require
2. You will participate, under supervision, in the implementation, review and
evaluation of planned support for a service user/carer
3. You will demonstrate a positive and collaborative approach to learning in
practice
4. You can describe, explain and utilize appropriate and effective communication
skills when working with service users, staff and others and show you can
demonstrate a compassionate, person-centred approach
5. You will demonstrate anti-discriminatory practice and demonstrate antidiscriminatory ways of working that contribute to the health and well- being of
individuals, groups and individuals, groups and communities and the
challenging of inequalities
6. You can apply legal, professional, ethical attitudes and behaviours related to
the working environment and demonstrate the application of local and national
policies and guidelines
7. You will utilize appropriate tools and techniques available to address
challenges in personal, professional and skills development
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8. You will demonstrate the capacity to review, monitor and reflect on personal
progress within the work/practice setting
9. You will recognize the limits and boundaries to your scope of practice whilst
appreciating the difference you can make within your own role and practice
Key Transferable Skills
1. You will identify, articulate and provide evidence of own learning needs
2. You will develop and implement a personal development plan to improve own
learning
3. You will Identify and use writing skills appropriate to practice and level of study
4. You will communicate appropriately in speech and group discussions and in
written communication
5. You will engage in team activities to enhance a co-operative approach to
learning and working
6. You will reflect upon learning and practice
7. You will use basic IT tools appropriate to practice
8. You will produce a well- organised and clearly presented portfolio
Module Timetable
Sessions will be held at the Darlington site of Teesside University unless otherwise
informed. Dates are as follows. Support sessions will also be held for Practice Guides.
Sessions (2015-16)
Feb/March 2015
Introduction to the Module
Module Learning Outcomes and Portfolio Requirements
Consent and Confidentiality
SWOT Analysis
Learning Contract and Role of Worker and Practice Guide
Personal and Professional Profile
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April 2015
What is social work?
Ethics and Values and Social Work
Ethical Principles and Perspectives
Portfolio Development
May 2015
Reflection and Reflective Writing/Models of Reflection
Reflecting on contemporary issues in Social Work and Social Care
Portfolio Development
June 2015
Introduction to Social Work Theory (Part 1)
Theories that inform social work
Social Work Theory and Implications for Practice
Portfolio Development
October 2015
Introduction to Social Work Theory (Part Two)
Group Work – Applying Theory to Practice
November 2015
Group Presentations – Social Work Theory
Portfolio Development
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December 2015
Current Issues in Social Work and Social Care
Forces and Drivers of Change and Responses from Practice
January 2016
Professionalism and Social Work
Professional Capabilities
February 2016
Service User and Carer Perspectives on Practice
Learning and Teaching Strategies
Over the course of the academic year timetabled monthly sessions will introduce you
to some of the key areas of the module. Sessions will be held at the Darlington
campus.
The learning strategy for this module centres on encouraging you the student to gain
and apply knowledge and skills acquired as part of the module to your job role. The
module is also about ensuring you are given opportunities to reflect upon your work
and in service training so as to develop and advance your individual practice.
At the beginning of the programme, you must identify an experienced person in their
workplace to act as a Practice Guide. This will ideally be the member of staff with
whom you have regular supervision sessions. The Practice Guide will assist you in
identifying relevant learning opportunities so that you can gather evidence for your
portfolio. This portfolio will be submitted towards the end of your second year. A
learning contract will be drawn up early in the module which will act as a guide in
enabling the student to meet all learning outcomes. Students will need to be aware of
how they can utilize in house training in their practice setting in ways that meet the
module learning outcomes.
A combination of key lectures, seminars, group work and workshops will be
employed in this module to enhance your individual learning. Lectures will be used to
introduce new content. Seminars, workshops and group work will be used to enhance
shared learning. Students will be expected to undertake preparatory reading and
exercises prior to taught sessions and student centred learning will be emphasized
throughout the module. Formative feedback will be given to students in
seminars/workshops and tutorials and students will be encouraged to speak to the
module leader if they feel further guidance in terms of meeting learning outcomes.
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Students will be encouraged to debate and discuss issues and share ideas from their
work related learning.
Early on in the module, you will also be encouraged to reflect on your work role and
practice and consider the wide variety of factors that influence these. The module
will stress the importance of applying learning to the workplace and the importance of
reflective practice. There will be opportunities for you to reflect on your values and
beliefs and insights and experiences from their work role. You will draw upon care
studies from practice and reflect on your own role and practice.
There will be some sessions that will be delivered by specialist staff and service
users (mostly in Year 2) and film clips and wider resources will also be utilized.
Students will also be expected to draw upon the training and education department of
their setting to access learning opportunities related to module outcomes. You will be
expected to engage in a range of learning opportunities in the workplace. These may
link directly to your current role or could include activities that enable you to
understand wider service provision and approaches in relation to the service user
group with which you work. You will work with your Practice Guide to ensure that you
are able to gather the evidence that you need. Practice Guides will also be offered
support sessions in order that they can become more confident in their roles.
There will be formal lectures on some topics and this will especially be the case in the
first part of the first year. These will be followed by seminar and group work that
allows you to explore further the theoretical concepts under discussion. In most study
days, there will be the opportunity to take part in afternoon workshops and/or have
tutorials.
Sessions will allow you to share your ideas and views with other students from a wide
range of health and social care settings. In these formal sessions, it is important that
we all ‘play by the rules’ so that everyone can benefit from them. This means
• arriving on time (unless that is out of your control)
• listening to whoever is speaking
• contributing to discussions and debates
• letting others contribute
• respecting what others are saying
Student centred learning will be further emphasized as the module progresses. The
building of a portfolio is designed to encourage you to develop self- managing skills
and again you will have the support of the module tutor and your practice guide.
In addition to this, you are expected to devote about 2 hours a week on average to
independent study. You will find this weekly amount varies especially in the run up to
the submission of coursework. However each week, student tasks will be specified
and you will be expected to complete these. Additionally, you may want to read round
a topic or do your own research. Finding time to think and reflect is also important
and, of course this can be done anywhere.
There will be a range of learning activities and resources for you to explore made
available on E@T, you are strongly recommended to engage in this learning as this
will support the timetabled sessions. The module tutors will monitor your engagement
with the learning and provide further support and advice if this is deemed appropriate.
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To summarise, this module allows you to demonstrate the development of your
knowledge and skills within your workplace and to reflect upon the work that you are
undertaking. You have the freedom to be able to negotiate practical learning
experiences in your workplace to achieve the module outcomes. Please use your
creativity and imagination to do this and please talk regularly to the module tutor and
your Practice Guide.
Assessment Strategy / Assessment Criteria
The module will be both formatively and summatively assessed. In Year One, there will
be a formative assessment in the form of a reflective Personal and Professional Profile
of 1500 words. This will be submitted in May 2014. A summative assessment
consisting of a 1000 word assignment (30%) will also be submitted in January 2015.
This first year summative assessment will enable students to demonstrate that they
have achieved a minimum of three learning outcomes and show an ability to appreciate
and reflect upon the importance of theory to practice and practice to theory.
In Year 2, the formative assessment will be a 1000 word reflective account and this will
be submitted in October 2015. The summative assessment (70%) will be in the form
of a portfolio of evidence of not more than 5000 words which will demonstrate the
achievement of all learning outcomes. This will be submitted in January 2016.
It might help to make a note of the dates when each piece of work needs to be
submitted and then to read what will be expected of you in each piece of work. Please
note that the module tutor is able to give up to seven days extension but requests for
any longer periods have to go through the mitigation process as contained in your
Programme Guide.
Year 1
1.
Formative - Personal and Professional Profile (May 2015)
2.
Summative - Account of practice in relation to social theory and theories
of social work using (January 2016)
Year 2
3. Reflective Account on practice – case study (October 2016)
4. Submission of Portfolio (January 2017)
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Year 1
Formative Assessment
The student will be asked to submit a Personal Professional Profile of 1500 words.
This is designed to help the student to identify the knowledge and skills that they bring
with them to the module and the areas of practice they aim to develop throughout the
year. The profile will also provide feedback to the student on their writing and academic
skills.
Within this profile the student will be able to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Identify their existing skills and knowledge and experience
Identify areas for personal and professional development
Use appropriate evidence and examples from their own experience to support
their work
Present a clearly structured and coherent profile
Adhere to the School of Health and Social Care guidelines for presentation and
referencing
Adhere to the School of Health and Social Care policy for confidentiality and
consent
This assignment links to the following LO’s- CI1, CI2, CI3, KTS1-8, PP7
Year 1 Summative Assessment
The student will be asked to submit a 1000 -1500 word account that is related to
practice in which will demonstrate using informed, evidence based approaches and
work based and informal learning, a minimum of three learning outcomes. In this piece
of work, the students will demonstrate that they have:
•
•
•
•
Applied formal and informal work based learning to their role and practice
Identified relevant theory to demonstrate informed evidence based approaches
to work
Achieved at least three learning outcomes
Adhered to the School of Health and Social Care policy for confidentiality and
consent
Learning outcomes that can be covered in this assignment - KU 1, 2, 5 and CI2 and
CI3.
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Year 2
Year 2 Formative Assessment
The student will produce a 1000 word reflective account based upon a piece of work
you have undertaken with a service user in which the student will;
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Select an appropriate learning experience for reflection
Describe aspects of care or service provision giving an accurate account of the
key elements of professional practice
Demonstrate the development of self- awareness including the ability to
analyse and learn from feelings
Demonstrate the ability to evaluate values and how they impact upon behaviour
and decision making in the work setting
Describe and explain links between theory and practice
Devise an action plan for learning
Adhere to the School of Health and Social Care guidelines for presentation and
referencing
Adhere to the School of Health and Social Care policy for consent and
confidentiality
LO’s covered in this piece of work – KU1, KU2, KU4, KU5, PP3, PP5, KTS 6, PP7 and
PP9
Year 2 Summative Assessment
The student must submit a Portfolio of evidence. There must be evidence in your
portfolio of;
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Identification of their own strengths, weaknesses and learning needs
Essential evidence of their knowledge and skills relevant to their work role
Engagement in the reflective process using a recognized model of reflection
Identification of relevant theory to demonstrate informed approaches to work
Integration of professional, legal and ethical considerations into their practice
Adhere to the School of Health and Social Care guidelines for presentation and
referencing
Adhere to the School of Health and Social Care policy for consent and
confidentiality
Achievement of all learning outcomes
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You will be given a Portfolio Handbook that gives more specific details of the
materials needed for your Portfolio and there will be time allocated in class to clarify its
requirements. The portfolio will cover all of the remaining learning outcomes. Please
note that within your portfolio you are also likely to once again cover some of the
learning outcomes covered elsewhere (e.g. KTS 6 where you are reflecting and
learning upon practice – we would expect this to be reflected in all work submitted)
Academic Support and Guidance
The academic tutor for this module is Phil Watson and you will also be allocated a
personal tutor as part of the Cert HE programme. Phil will be available after class
sessions and during break times and he will be the person leading the afternoon
workshops which will give students the opportunity to discuss their work, give formative
feedback etc.
Evaluation Strategy
You will be asked to complete evaluation forms at particular points during the module
and student feedback on the programme is very valuable to us.
The School of Health & Social Care relies on student feedback as a key method of
assuring and enhancing the quality of its learning and teaching.
Your feedback is very important and we will invite you to give constructive feedback
on your learning experiences both formally and informally at various points in your
programme of study, for example by evaluating your experiences.
You will also be given feedback from your Programme Team and we expect you to
take note of and act upon feedback received.
Please note that feedback is not limited to comments on your assessed work, though
of course you will receive feedback on this. It also includes feedback on your
ongoing progress on the module, as well actions that have been taken as a result of
your evaluation of your programme of study.
Every module will recommend what is known as indicative resources and I am now
going to list some of the books, journals and other resources that will be of help to
you in this module.
Indicative Resources
Adams, R. (2008) Empowerment, Participation and Social Work. 4th ed. Hampshire:
Palgrave Macmillan.
Adams, R & Dominelli, L. (2009) Critical Practice in Social Work. 2nd ed Hampshire:
Palgrave Macmillan.
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Adams, Dominelli & Payne (2009) Social Work Themes, Issues and Critical
Debates. 3rd ed. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.
Banks, S. (2006) Ethics and Values in Social Work. 3rd ed. Hampshire: Palgrave
Macmillan.
Coulshed, V & Orme, J. (2006) Social Work Practice. 4th ed. Hampshire: Palgrave
Macmillan.
Dominelli, L. (2008) Anti- Racist Social Work. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.
Jasper, M. (2003) Beginning Reflective Practice. Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes.
Kemshall, H & Littlechild (2000) User Involvement and Participation in Social Care.
London: Jessica Kingsley.
Lishman, J. (2009) Communication in Social Work. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.
Nicolson, Brayne, Owens (2006) Applied Psychology for Social Workers. Exeter:
Learning Matters.
Oko, J. (2008) Understanding and Using Theory in Social Work. Exeter: Learning
Matters.
Payne, M. (2005) Modern Social Work Theory. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.
Preston-Shoot, M. (2005) Effective Groupwork. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.
Saleebey, D. (2009) The Strengths Perspective in Social Work Practice. 5th ed.
Boston: Pearson
Thompson, S. & Thompson, N. (2008) The Critically Reflective Practitioner.
Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan
Recommended
Adams, R. (2007) Foundations of Health and Social Care. Basingstoke: Palgrave
Macmillan.
Adler, R & Rodman, G. (2009) Understanding Human Communication. 10th ed.
Milton Keynes: Open University Press.
Aslop, A & Ryan, S. (2000) Making the Most of Fieldwork Education. A Practical
Approach. London: Chapman and Hall.
Barber, J. (2002) Social Work With Addictions. 2nd ed. Hampshire: Palgrave
Macmillan.
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Burton, G & Dimbleby, R . (2006) Between Ourselves: An Introduction to
interpersonal Communication. 3rd ed. London: Arnold.
Goodman, A. (2009) Social Work with Drug and Substance Misusers. Exeter:
Learning Matters
Hendrick, J (2004) Law and Ethics. Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes
Johns, C. (2009) Becoming a Reflective Practitioner. 3rd ed Oxford: Blackwell
Science.
Johnson, D. and Johnson, F. ( 2009) Joining Together: Group Theory and Group
Skills. 10th ed. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Oliver, M & Sapey, B. (2012) Social Work with Disabled People. 4th ed Hampshire:
Palgrave Macmillan.
Pearce, R. (2003) Profiles and Portfolios of Evidence. Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes.
Pollard, KC., Thomas, J. & Miers, M. (2010) Understanding Interprofessional
Working in Health and Social Care. Basingstoke: Palgrave.
Ray, J. (2012) Social Work with Older People. 5th ed. Hampshire: Palgrave
Macmillan.
Stanton, N. (2009) Mastering Communication. 5th ed. Hampshire: Palgrave
Macmillan.
Thompson, N. (2006) Anti-Discriminatory Practice. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan
Thompson, N. (2009) People Skills. 3rd ed. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan
Tilbury, D. (2002) Working with Mental Illness – a Community Based Approach.
2nd ed. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan
Recommended Journals
British Journal of Social Work
http: www.basw.co.uk/resources/journals
Community Care Journal
http: www.communitycare.co.uk
Practice: Social Work in Action
http: www.basw.co.uk/resources/journals
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Recommended Electronic Resources
Skills for Care
http://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/
Health Professions Council
http://www.hpc-uk.org
General Social Care Council
http://www.gscc.org.uk
National Service Frameworks
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland /NSF/Pages/ National service frameworks.aspx
Patient Voices
http://www.patientvoices.org.uk
Study Skills Handbook – companion website
www.skills4study.com
Television
As well as keeping an eye on news items and documentaries on mainstream TV
stations that deal with social care and social work issues, you may find social care TV
to be helpful and this can be accessed on www.social-care.tv
Newspapers
Whilst newspaper sales decline, quality newspapers are a good source of information
and remain a good way to keep up to date with new policy developments and issues
that are impacting upon our clients and upon social work. I would especially
recommend ‘the Guardian’ (especially the Wednesday edition which is devoted to
social care) and the ‘Sunday Observer’. Always try to be discerning with newspaper
stories and try to think of the underlying motives behind any news item. These two
recommended newspapers can also be accessed online
www.guardian.co.uk www.observer.guardian.co.uk
Blackboard
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By the time you begin this module, you will have been introduced to Blackboard during
the ‘Learning to Learn’ module. Every week new materials will be made available for
you to read prior to the monthly sessions and it is hoped that you will use the blog
facility that has been set up for you to interact with your colleagues. Along with the
reading list for this module, new book titles will also be recommended and put on this
site.
Final Comments
We wish you well with this module and really hope that you enjoy the challenges it
presents. Please do ask questions of tutors and feel able to discuss anything related
to the module. Most especially, keep us informed if you are unable to attend any of the
sessions so that we can make arrangements for you to catch up and do not worry
unnecessarily as there is lots of support available. Furthermore, remember that you
are already doing a very important role well and this module is designed to allow you
to show this as well as to further your knowledge and understanding.
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