This module introduces underpinning core Social Work values and theories. Specifically it seeks to equip students with the necessary knowledge, understanding and insights in preparation for their practice learning. It seeks to provide students with an understanding of:-

The impact of injustice, social inequalities and oppressive social relations
The need to value diversity: individual, cultural, religious and spiritual
The social work role and responsibilities;
The nature of complex relationships between justice, care and control in social welfare and the practical and ethical implications of these;
The role of theories in the social work processes;
The different dimensions of professional values and exploring their implications for practice;
The various models and methods of assessment, including factors underpinning the selection and testing of relevant information, the nature of professional judgement and the process of risk assessment.

Whole group sessions (11 x 2 hrs = 22 hours)
which will include lectures, guest speakers and student presentations also facilitated smaller group sessions will be used to explore key themes, concepts, theories, debates and care and control issues relating to non-oppressive social work practice with service users.

Representative groups of service users will be invited to contribute to discussions about social work practice, particularly on the topics of care and control dilemmas, and the need to value diversity.

Directed Reading / Independent Study (128 hours)
- Directed reading and Blackboard support (38 hours)
- Independent literature search (38 hours)
- Assessment preparation (52 hours)

The assignment is designed to demonstrate students knowledge and understanding of how structural oppression operates in the workplace and how it impacts on service delivery to marginalised groups.

Formative Assessment
Credit will be given to students who demonstrate an awareness of wider influences upon their values than purely individual factors. Students should include 'self-location' details about their gender and 'race' and other factors which make them distinctive and discuss how their 'distinctivness' impacts on their future practice with service user.

You will need access to one of the following texts:

Adams, R & Dominelli, L & Payne, M (eds) (2002) (2nd ed) Social Work Themes, Issues and Critical Debates, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan
Proctor, J. & Bradley, G. (2007) (2nd ed) Assessment, Planning Intervention and Review. London, Learning Matters.
Thompson, N (2000) Theory & Practice in Human Services, Buckingham, Open University

This module is open only to students enrolled on the BA (Hons) Social Work.