Accessibility statement

Social Work Across the Lifecourse - SPY00063H

« Back to module search

  • Department: Social Policy and Social Work
  • Credit value: 40 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
    • See module specification for other years: 2023-24

Module summary

This module will introduce you to theories and models used in social work, and it will explore how this knowledge is applied in assessment, planning and interventions across the lifecourse (covering work with children, adults and older people). The module takes a case study approach to learning which integrates the learning of theories/ knowledge with practice .

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2022-23 to Spring Term 2022-23

Module aims

This module will introduce you to theories and models for social work, and it will explore how this knowledge is used in assessment, planning and interventions across the lifecourse. The module will use case studies (covering adults social work and children & families social work) as well as lectures and seminars to allow you the opportunity to apply theory to practice and understand the knowledge and skills required to undertake complex and dynamic cases in a variety of social work contexts.

The learning will be supported by a number of 'Skills Days'. The first skills days focus on 'Ethics & Values', which is a theme that is continued throughout the module through the inclusion of challenging and ethically complex case study scenarios.

Module learning outcomes

Having completed the module, students should:

LO1: Demonstrate insight into how social workers, in various settings, evaluate and apply social work knowledge and theory.

LO2: Demonstrate a critical understanding of a range of approaches and models for assessment and intervention in social work practice.

LO3: Demonstrate the ability to negotiate practice dilemmas with a view to sound and ethical decision making and with an understanding of the importance of multi-agency working.

Module content

This module will cover key theories for social work (Theories of Human Development, Life Course theories, sociological theories) as well as developing the skills needed to apply these theories in practice (Assessment Skills, Risk assessment, multi-agency working and decision making).

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

Students will also be required to undertake a shadowing experience during the module in order to develop their understanding of the everyday work of social workers.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 50
Essay/coursework 50

Special assessment rules

Non-compensatable

Additional assessment information

The two elements of the assessment will be treated as a 'portfolio', so although they are marked separately one single mark is recorded across the two elements at the end of the module.

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 50
Essay/coursework 50

Module feedback

Students will receive feedback on summative assessments within 4 weeks of submission. Students receive formative supports throughout the module during weekly facilitated case study workshops.

Indicative reading

-



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.