Social Work
School of Public Policy and Professional Practice
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Last Updated 2 October 2012

Principal Course Timetable Blocks 5


Please note: All BA (Hons) Social Work modules are only available to students undertaking BA (Hons) Social Work. They are not available to students undertaking other programmes.

Social Work Single Honours - Level 1 Modules

Semester 1 C/O TYP ECTSCATS
SWK-10001 Social Work Processes C C 5 10
This module is designed to prepare students for professional competence in the basic processes of social work practice.
SWK-10002 Introduction to Legal Processes C E 5 10
This module is intended to provide a broad introduction to legal processes as they affect the delivery of social work services. The module will provide the necessary background knowledge for the study of law in the context of services to children and families and to adults, which is taught in the following semester and developed at Level 2. Specifically, it will address the Requirements of each of the Key Roles of the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Social Work and the requirement that qualifying social workers must 'understand, critically analyse, evaluate and apply' knowledge of 'country, UK, EU legislation, statutory codes, standards, frameworks and guidance relevant to social work practice and related fields, including multi-disciplinary and multi-organisational practice, data protection and confidentiality of information' (NOS p.2). The teaching of law is also one of the 'Teaching, Learning and Assessment Requirements' (Requirement 2) set out by the Department of Health in the Regulations for Social Work Training, published in June 2002 under S.63 of the Care Standards Act 2000.
SWK-10003 Foundations of Social Work C C 5 10
This module is designed to provide an introduction to the values; ethical principles and general professional boundaries (including policy and law) that may give rise to dilemmas and conflicts when working with individuals, families, groups and communities, with the aim of enabling the student to work towards resolution. A case-based learning approach will be adopted.
SWK-10004 Human Growth and Development C C 5 10
This module is designed to provide basic, underpinning knowledge of human growth and development in order to prepare students to practice more effectively with diverse client groups. Specifically it aims to help students to:
  • Identify key factors and processes impacting on human growth and development
  • Understand the relevance of psychological and physiological perspectives to understanding individual social development and functioning
  • Develop a critical awareness of the significance of such perspectives for social work practice.
SWK-10006 Key Concepts from the Social Sciences C C 5 10
This module is intended to develop a basic appreciation of a number of key concepts from the social sciences that are used to understand and explain the relationship between individuals and their social contexts. Thus, it seeks to develop an awareness of how social processes create and sustain - identity, social structures, social roles and perspectives. This module will be particularly valuable for students who have not previously studied any of the social sciences.
Semester 1-2 C/O TYP ECTSCATS
SWK-10005 Personal and Professional Development (1) C C 10 20
This module spans two Semesters and aims to equip students to develop their personal, inter-personal and wider communication skills as preparation for direct work with service users and carers. It will also begin to develop students&© understanding of the modes and means by which social work services are delivered.
Semester 2 C/O TYP ECTSCATS
SWK-10007 Inequality and Disadvantage C C 5 10
This module is intended to provide a basic understanding of the nature and impact of inequality and disadvantage in contemporary Britain and thus, develop an appreciation of the broader context within which social work is practised.
SWK-10008 Area of Practice (1): Working with Children and Families C M 10 20
This module is designed to provide basic underpinning knowledge of the experience and circumstances of children and their families as service users, and the service delivery context (law, policy and practice) in which social work with children and families takes place; with the aim of enabling students to practice effectively with this user group. A case based learning approach will be adopted. A second module at level 2 builds on and further develops this knowledge. This 20 credit module represents 200 hours of student work. A $ùcase-based learning&© approach will be adopted, supported by keynote lectures.
SWK-10009 Area of Practice (1): Working with Adults C M 10 20
This module is designed to provide basic underpinning knowledge of the experience and circumstances of adult service users and the service delivery context (law, policy and practice) in which social work with adults takes place, with a view to enabling students to practise effectively with adult service users. A case-based learning approach will be adopted. A second module at Level 2 builds on and further develops this knowledge.

Social Work Single Honours - Level 2 Modules

Semester 1-2 C/O TYP ECTSCATS
SWK-20004 Personal and Professional Development (2) C C 22.5 45
This module aims to enable students to apply their personal, inter-personal and wider communication skills as well as their knowledge of key social structures and processes to develop a repertoire of interventive techniques to assist service users. It is also intended to enable students to begin to refine their sense of their professional role and to operate as informed, competent and ethically sound professionals.
Semester 2 C/O TYP ECTSCATS
SWK-20001 Area of Practice (2): Working with Children and Familites C M 15 30
This is the second of two modules (the first at Level 1) that provides underpinning knowledge to enable students to develop and apply their skills, knowledge and values in direct work with children and families. This module will make a significant contribution to meeting the requirements of the benchmark statement for social work in regard to the subject knowlege and understanding outlined in setions 3.1.1, 3.1.2, 3.1.3, 3.1.4 and 3.1.5. It will provide underpinning knowledge that will prepare students to practice in accordance with 'Defining Principles' as stated in section 2.1, enabling them to meet the National Occupational Standards in regards to: Key Role 1 - Prepare for and work with individuals, families, carers, groups and communities to assess their needs and circumstances (Units 1, 2 & 3); Key Role 2 - Plan, carry out, review and evaluate social work practice, with individuals, families, carers, groups, communities, self and other professionals (Units 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9); Key Role 3 - Support individuals to represent their needs, views and circumstances(Units 10 & 11) Key Role 4 - Manage risk to individuals, families, carers, groups, communities self and colleagues (Units 12 & 13); Key Role 5 - manage and be accountable, with supervision and support, for your own social work practice within your organisation (Units 14, 15, 16 & 17); Key Role 6 - Demonstrate professional competence in social work practice (Units 19, 20 & 21)
SWK-20002 Area of Practice (2): Working with Adults C M 15 30
This is the second of two modules (the first at Level 1) that will provide underpinning knowledge to enable students to develop and apply their skills, knowledge and values in direct work with adults. This module will make a significant contribution to meeting the requirements of the benchmrk statement for social work in relation to 'subject knowledge' and 'understanding' outlined in sections 3.1.1, 3.1.2, 3.1.3, 3.1.4 and 3.1.5. It will provide underpinning knowledge that will prepare students to practice in accordance with 'Defining Principles' as stated in section 2.1, enabling them to meet the National Occupational Standards in regards to: Key Role 1 - Prepare for and work with individuals, families, carers, groups and communities to assess their needs and circumstances (Units 1, 2 & 3); Key Role 2 - Plan, carry out, review and evaluate social work practice, with individuals, families, carers, groups, communities, self and other professionals (Units 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9); Key Role 3 - Support individuals to represent their needs, views and circumstances(Units 10 & 11) Key Role 4 - Manage risk to individuals, families, carers, groups, communities self and colleagues (Units 12 & 13); Key Role 5 - manage and be accountable, with supervision and support, for your own social work practice within your organisation (Units 14, 15, 16 & 17); Key Role 6 - Demonstrate professional competence in social work practice (Units 19, 20 & 21)
SWK-20003 Social Work Theory and Methods (1) C C 7.5 15
This module is designed to prepare students for a theoretically informed practice in which they are able to provide clear and reasoned justifications for the methods they employ.

Social Work Single Honours - Level 3 Modules

Semester 1 C/O TYP ECTSCATS
SWK-30001 Applying Social Work Knowledge and Research C C 7.5 15
This module is taught alongside, and will contribute to the skills and knowledge being acquired in the following Level 3 modules: Social Work Methods and Theories (2) and Social Work Research. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a series of workshops that address current social work knowledge, research and practice, with the aim of developing their own critical social work practice. Inter-professional working, and wherever possible, inter-professional learning, will be integral to the workshops.
SWK-30002 Social Work Research C C 15 30
This module provides students with the opportunity to develop an understanding of the research process and applications of research in practice settings. In addition, it provides students with the opportunity to research, analyse and use current knowledge of best evidence in social work practice by undertaking a library-based evaluative study on an issue of their choice drawn from social work practice. The module commences in year two of the three year degree programme with a week block of lectures. The substantive investigative work and tutorial support towards writing up the project is undertaken in year three.
SWK-30003 Social Work Theory and Methods (2) C C 7.5 15
This module is designed to prepare students for a theoretically informed practice in which they are able to critically engage with contemporary debates on the relationship between research, theory and practice.
Semester 2 C/O TYP ECTSCATS
SWK-30004 Personal and Professional Development (3) C C 30 60
This module seeks to enhance students&© interventive repertoire and develop their sense of themselves as professional social workers, responsible for their practice within the context of their agency. This module represents 700 hours of student work, including time for the preparation and execution of the formal assessment attached to this module. Assessment comprises a 6000 word practice learning report, which includes the following: description of practice setting; common learning agreement; account of work undertaken; analysis of practice; review of learning and personal performance; competence report; assessment summary; summative judgement and recommendations by practice teacher
C Compulsory Core Module
O Optional Core Module
EP Programme Elective Module
EA Approved Elective Module
EF Free-Standing Elective Module
M Mixed Assessment e.g. a mixture of essay(s) and examination, with the latter's weighting below 90%.
E Examination, providing 90% or more of the mark.
C Continuous Assessment e.g. essay(s) or practical work (as appropriate).
+ Available to qualified non-principal, Erasmus, Exchange and Study Abroad students but there may be a restriction on the number of places available
~ Specific pre-requisite(s) needed by non-principal, Erasmus, Exchange and Study Abroad students wishing to take these modules
# Not normally available to Erasmus, Exchange and Study Abroad students (except by prior negotiation with Departmental Tutor)
Note: Modules not marked with a # are available to suitably qualified Erasmus, Exchange and Study Abroad students.