This module will enable students to:
explore and critically reflect upon the concept of volunteering & the key employability skills used when working within a relevant organisation;
and
critically evaluate a social welfare organisation in relation to significant contemporary issues. These include (but are not limited to) the contribution the organisation makes to the development of social and human capital, challenging discrimination and promoting equality, and best practice standards in the management and delivery of social welfare services.

The setting for this experience should be within an organisation relevant to addressing and eradicating poverty & hardship.

The module requires students to:
a) have already completed a minimum of 100 hours voluntary or paid activity within the sector.
b) be currently undertaking a minimum of 100 hours voluntary or paid activity within the sector.
c) have found and agreed a volunteering/paid opportunity and will undertake the 100 hours within the time frame of the module (one academic year) within the sector.

Essay including key skills gained (with a set word Count 2000) 50% weighted (assessing LO's 2 and 3). This essay will critique an organisation’s policy and practice and how it meets the aims and objectives of the organisation and its organisational intended beneficiaries.

A presentation of 20 minutes including evidence of 100 hours work experience (maximum 20 slides) weighted at 50% (assessing LO’s 1 and 4) evidencing and reflecting on skills gained during their placement.

Additional Assessment Details: Students will be required to submit evidence of 100 hours of work experience The first element will analyse organisational policy, and its role in supporting staff and beneficiaries as well as the Stategic objectives of the organisation. The second element will involve students thinking about their work experience and using this to reflect on what they have learned and how this will influence their future practise. The presentation will take different formats and may include a PowerPoint presentation. This is a chance to show the students presentation skills and give an outline of key areas of the work experience that they have undertaken.

Formative feedback:
Detailed feedback will be provided on assignment and presentation plans
Blackboard journals and blogs will be used to facilitate tutor to student feedback as well as peer review and feedback in relation to employability skills.
Discussion boards and weekly tasks will be used to provide formative feedback on understanding of key theoretical concepts covered by the module.

The VLE Blackboard will provide a structured framework for the delivery of this module. A blended learning approach is adopted, which consists of directed and independent study. The module is designed to allow some flexibility in approach to remain responsive to student and sector needs, but activity will broadly consist of the following:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: (48 hours)
On campus and virtual seminars
Formative individual and group tasks and activities
Online asynchronous interaction with the tutor via the Blackboard Learning Journal and Blogs
On campus and virtual tutorial support (both group and individual)
Module assessment support

Guided Independent Study: (252 hours)
100 hours Research, reading, pre-session preparation
72 hours Review, reflection & formative task completion
80 hours Assessment (formative and summative)

Experiential Learning: (100 hours)
100 hours of volunteering/paid activity

1. Demonstrate 100 hours of active participation within a relevant setting.
7. Application

2. Analyse a range of organisational policies from a relevant setting.
3. Enquiry
4. Analysis
1. Knowledge and Understanding

3. Critically reflect on the transferable skills and attributes gained from the 100 hours of
experience.
6. Communication
5. Problem Solving
8. Reflection

4. Critically evaluate upon a range of issues, policies and problems associated with the
sector.
2. Learning
6. Communication
8. Reflection

Burton-Jones, A. and Spender J.-C. (2011) Oxford Handbook of Human Capital. Oxford: Oxford University Press
Thompson, Field, J. (2016) Social Capital: Key Ideas, (3rd Ed), Oxon:
Routledge Thompson N. (2020) Anti-discriminatory Practice (7th Ed), London: Red Globe Press
Thompson, S. and Thompson, N. (2018) The Critically Reflective Practitioner, (2nd Ed), London: Palgrave

This module will enable students to explore and critically reflect upon key employability skills used when working within a relevant organisation and critically evaluate this organisation in relation to significant contemporary issues. These include (but are not limited to) the contribution the organisation makes to the development of social and human capital, challenging discrimination and promoting equality, and best practice standards in the management and delivery of services. You will undertake a minimum of 100 hours of paid or voluntary activity in a relevant organisation and also be expected to reflect on the key skills gained from the experience. Students who have not secured a voluntary or paid work experience role in the sector will be supported to secure this.

Must have done, are doing or have arranged a voluntary or paid work experience.