Computer facilities to access materials on the web and specialist online databases
Email access
Blackboard
Access to appropriate texts and journals

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

1. On completion of this module, you will be able to identify your learning needs, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in relation to practicing as a student social worker

Social Work England – Standard 4, 5, 6

2. On completion of this module, you will be able to define the requirements of Social Work England in terms of conduct and ethics for social workers and in upholding the reputation of the social work profession

PCF 1.1,1.2,1.4,1.6,1.7

Social Work England – 1, 2

3. On completion of this module, you will be able to reflect and evaluate on teaching and learning and use personal tutorials effectively to manage your own development.

PCF 6.1, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6

Social Work England – Standard 3

A professional portfolio (addressing all LO's).

Students must submit all the required documents to a satisfactory standard to pass the module.

The module is graded PASS or FAIL. The module must be passed to progress to Level 5.

Formative feedback will be based on participation on skills days and feedback from group tutorials.

Professionalism is a key concept covered in this module. The structured teaching and learning sessions and activities aim to prepare students for the professional workplace. Topics covered include professional standards and behaviours, and issues that lead to Fitness to Practise panels will be explored. You will be introduced to the Social Work England Standards. You will also be introduced to the concept of professional boundaries when practising social work, and in working in social work teams and with other professionals.

This module will provide you with the core skills and knowledge needed for your first practice learning opportunity (placement). The module comprises 24 skills-based sessions that will cover making telephone calls, chairing meetings, report writing, preparing for supervision, and many other vital skills. The module will be delivered through online sessions as well as practical simulation-based workshops which will be taught on campus.

You will be asked to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced disclosure application in the induction to the Award and you will learn the importance of these systems in the protection of vulnerable individuals.

You will be given an introduction to the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) and consider how this guidance relates to your professional practice and your continuous professional development.

There will be an introduction to reflective practise including a range of reflective practice models and you will be using a range of these to reflect on the taught skills sessions and evaluating the usefulness of these to decide the one best suited to your needs and style. Theories on the reflective practitioner will be introduced and this will be linked to the PCF.

An introduction to SWOT analysis and Learning Styles theories concerning identifying individual need and best learning methods will be introduced.

This module consists of skills-based learning that will prepare you for your first placement. For example, you can expect to gain practical experience in making phone calls, setting up online meetings, preparing and chairing meetings, taking minutes and notes. In Level 4 you will take part in a number of Skills Days. Whilst most of the Skills Days take place in this module, some of the days are embedded in other modules and contribute to assessing your readiness for first practice placement. As with other modules at Level 4 this module is linked to the Professional Capabilities Framework. In particular, but not exclusively, the domains:

- Professionalism
- Values and Ethics
- Knowledge
- Critical Reflection and Analysis, and
- Intervention and Skills

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: (220 hours)

You will attend 24 skills-focused sessions which will take place during semesters one and two. These sessions will consist of participatory lectures, workshops and presentations. These will be led by our Practice Learning Team with input from a diverse range of inter-disciplinary teaching staff including visiting speakers, social workers, service-users and carers to disseminate skills-based learning, core knowledge and contextualise theoretical approaches. Simulation-based approaches to learning will be at the heart of this module.

You will have guided learning in completing activities and producing a portfolio. The portfolio will provide evidence that you have fully engaged in this module.

Guided Independent Study: (100 hours)
100 hours - wider reading, completion of reflective activities; including gathering relevant documentation for portfolio, such as feedback from assignments.

Higham, P.E. (2019) Communication and Interviewing Skills for Practice in Social Work, Counselling and The Health Professions. London: Routledge

Lishman, J. (2015) Handbook for Practice Learning in Social Work and Social Care: Knowledge and Theory. 3rd. London: Jessica Kingsley

Tanguay, E, Hanratty, P, & Martin, B (2020) Reflective Writing for Nursing, Health and Social Work. London: Macmillan Education

Thompson, N. (2021) People Skills, 5th. London: Macmillan Education UK

https://staffs.keylinks.org/#/list/349