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Knowledge into Practice for Apprentices - SPY00047I

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  • Department: Social Policy and Social Work
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

This module will build on the knowledge of various theories and models that were introduced in the Social Work Across the Lifecourse module. It will give you a critical understanding of how this knowledge of assessments and interventions is applied in your own practice.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

This module will build on the knowledge of various theories and models that were introduced in the Social Work Across the Lifecourse module. It will give you a critical understanding of how this knowledge of assessments and interventions is applied in your own practice.

There are a number of skills days throughout the module which focus on key topics relevant to applying theory to practice in social work across the whole life course.

Through the above activities, the module will prepare apprentices for practice in relation to the following PCF domains:

  • Professionalism. Apprentices will learn about the role and expectations of social workers in different areas of practice; they will develop an appreciation of how our profession intersects with other professions and of the centrality of the experience of people with lived experience. They will reflect on how they can build professionalism into their own practice.

  • Values and ethics: throughout the course apprentices will be introduced to ethics and values in social work practice by using challenging and ethically complex case study scenarios. They will explore the scenarios that have arisen in their own practice settings.

  • Diversity: the module includes several skills days tailored to supporting people who have protected characteristics, and throughout the course apprentices will explore the impact of practice on diverse groups.

  • Rights, justice and economic well-being: there is an emphasis on person centred planning and participation within this module, and social justice is a theme that runs throughout the module. Apprentices are invited to consider how they might use this knowledge in their own work.

  • Knowledge: this module specifically explores key knowledge and theories and considers how these might be applied to the apprentices’ own setting.

  • Critical reflection and analysis: the apprentice is asked to apply models of critical reflection and analysis,. This is central to effective social work practice.

  • Intervention and skills: a practical understanding of the role and responsibilities of social workers is a key element of this module; apprentices will relate this to the work that they are undertaking while in placement.

  • Contexts and organisations: this module analyses different practice settings and allows apprentices the opportunity to consider the multi-agency and multi-disciplinary nature of social work. They will consider how this translates into the practice situations that they encounter daily.

  • Professional leadership: apprentices will begin to develop an appreciation for leadership in social work practice, and they will learn how to begin to put this into practice.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this modules you will be able to:

LO1: Draw upon a range of theory and research to inform your practice

LO2: Demonstrate a sound understanding of social work ethics, with an insight into how these translate into practice dilemmas

LO3: Reflect on and explore your practice experiences, demonstrating self awareness

LO4: Apply relevant law and policy to their practice

Module content

Note:

  • Skills Day = 6 hours interactive teaching (no student prep required)

  • Sessions below are indicative only, and may vary in title, content and order. The Knowledge into Practice skills day will be scheduled for semester 2; other skills days will occur during Placement 1.

Semester 2 (runs alongside placement 1 which starts Week 1)

Week 1 Ethnic Diversity 1 x Skills Day

Week 1 Migration (incl travellers) 1 x Skills Day

Week 3 Knowledge into Practice 1 x Skills Day

Week 5 Multi-agency Working 1 x Skills Day

Week 7 Sexuality & PDG 1 x Skills Day

Week 9 Gender & PDG 1 x Skills Day

Week 11 Loss & Palliative Care 1 x Skills Day

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

Non-compensatable

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

In accordance with School policy

Indicative reading

  • Barnes, V. (2018) Child-centred social work: theory and Practice. London: Palgrave

  • Beckett, C. and Taylor, H. (2022) Human Growth and Development. (4th edn.). London: SAGE

  • Gould, N . (2016) Mental Health Social Work in Context. (2nd edn.). London: Routledge.

  • Shakespeare, T. (2014) Disability Rights and Wrongs Revisited. (2nd edn.). Abingdon: Routledge


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.