You will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how theoretical concepts support good social work practice within assessment and care planning processes when offering services to marginalised groups. You will be allocated a service user group to base your discussions on and you will select appropriate theories arguing how these theories ensure best practice. (addressing all LO's)

Formative Assessment
This will be through participation in class discussion and small group activities facilitated by the module tutors.

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

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

aidenhead; Open University Press

https://staffs.keylinks.org/#/list/1759

Dominelli, L (2018) Anti-Racist Social Work.4th. London: Palgrave Macmillan

Howe, D (2017) An Introduction to Social Work Theory. Aldershot: Ashgate

Payne, M. (2020) How to Use Social Work Theory in Practice: An Essential Guide. Bristol: Policy Press

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: (22)
22 hours (11 x 2 hrs) Whole group sessions

You will receive a series of short lectures covering key social work theories in whole class sessions, these will be followed by small group discussions with peers and facilitated by tutors.

You will be expected to participate in small group debates which will investigate the effectiveness of theories in a range of social work situations and with a range of service user groups.

Directed Independent Study: (128)
60 hours - You will be guided to key texts and theories to read and understand in preparation for lectures, these will be indicated via BlackBoard (VLE).

20 hours - You will be expected to conduct independent enquiries into some theories to compare and contrast with those taught in class sessions using library facilities to access pertinent journal articles as well as some Internet searches of highlighted websites (VLE)
48 hours - You will be expected to research the needs of a particular group of service users and to discuss the ways in which society views them and how social workers may work with them to ensure anti-oppressive and anti-discriminatory practice is employed. You will also examine their needs from a variety of other professionals¿ perspectives, this is will prepare you for your assignment and includes writing the assignment.

This module introduces underpinning core Social Work theories. Specifically it seeks to equip you with the necessary knowledge, understanding and insights in preparation for your practice learning and it will form links with the semester one module on `Values and Ethics¿ and thus reinforce key underpinning social work values.

It seeks to provide students with an introductory understanding of:
- The impact of social work theories, injustice, social inequalities and oppressive social relations
- The need to understand diversity: individual, cultural, religious and spiritual and how this relates to social work interventions
- The role of social workers and their 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 interpretations and exploring their implications for practice

This module will help you to view the world differently!

Introduction to Social Work theory is an exploration of the different ways we can understand behaviour and society, providing new insights the strengths and vulnerabilities which make us human. You will be given the opportunity to investigate key perspectives from disciplines such as Psychology; Sociology; Biology and Politics and apply them to a case study.

This is an exciting and challenging module that will provide you with the essential knowledge base to make a difference as a professional social worker.

1. IDENTIFY AND EVALUATE A RANGE OF SOCIAL WORK THEORIES (PCF 2.2, 2.3,5.1,5.5; SG 9) Professional Standard 3.3 & 4.4

2. INTERPRET HOW THESE THEORIES INFORM PRACTICE AND PREVENT DISEMPOWERMENT, OPPRESSION AND DISCRIMINATION OF SERVICE USERS GROUPS.
(PCF 2.5, 5.8) Professional Standard 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 2.4 & 3.14

3. EVALUATE THE USEFULNESS AND APPROPRIATENESS OF SOCIAL WORK THEORIES TO DIFFERENT SOCIAL WORK SETTINGS AND WITH DIFFERENT SERVICE USERS AND REFLECT ON COMPETING VALUES AND ETHICAL DILEMMAS THAT MAY OCCUR WHEN USING THEORIES (PCF 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 7.2; SG7) Professional Standard 2.4, 1.4, 1.6 & 3.7

4. ANALYSE THE REASONS FOR DIFFERENCES IN APPROACHES FROM OTHER PROFESSIONALS IN A INTERDISCIPLINARY SETTING (PCF, 8.7; SG 9) Professional Standard 3.6