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Social Work Across the Lifecourse Part 2: Knowledge into Practice - SPY00176M

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  • Department: Social Policy and Social Work
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2023-24

Module aims

This module will build on the knowledge of various theories and models that were introduced in Social Work Across the Lifecourse Part 1. It will give you a critical understanding of how this knowledge of assessments and interventions can be integrated into 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 students for practice in relation to the following PCF domains:

  • Professionalism. Students 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 students 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 students 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. Students 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 students own setting.

  • Critical reflection and analysis: the student 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; student will relate this to the work that they are undertaking while in placement.

  • Contexts and organisations: this module analyses different practice settings and allows students 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: students 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

Building on Social Work Across the Lifecourse Part 1, and paying particular attention to their own practice, by the end of this modules students should be able to:

LO1: Critically apply a range of theory and research in their practice

LO2: Demonstrate an ability to critically apply social work ethics within complex working environments.

LO3: Reflect on and analyse their practice experiences, demonstrating critical self awareness

LO4: Apply relevant guidance (law and policy) to their practice, demonstrating a critical understanding of both the guidance itself and the processes by which this guidance is formulated and enforced.

Module content

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

Non-compensatable

Additional assessment information

The module is non-compensatable as it is a core requirement for the programme to meet Social Work England Standards (see below for further information about the assessment task).

Semester 2 Assignment 2000 words:

Students will all have gained some practical experience by the time of this assignment, and will apply the learning from the module to this experience.

The assessment comprises of three distinct sections, with each section around 600 words in length. The sections will cover:

  1. The critical application of theory to practice.

  2. A reflection on an interaction with another professional, someone who uses the service or a carer. This section should demonstrate self awareness and an ethical approach.

  3. An analysis and evaluation of the law / policy, with awareness of the wider political agenda, and how it is applied in the practical setting.

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

This module is non-compensatable.

Feedback will be given in accordance with the University Policy on feedback in the Guide to Assessment as well as in line with the 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.