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

Egan (2010) The Skilled Helper, Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning
Koprowska (2011) Communication and Interpersonal Skills in Social Work, Exeter, Learning Matters
Riggall (2012) Using Counselling Skills in Social Work, Exeter, Learning Matters
Thompson (2011) Effective Communication, Hampshire, Palgrave Macmillan

Computer facilities to access materials on the web and specialist online databases.
Email access
Access to appropriate texts and journals.
Community House- for assessed interviews, with technical support for recording of interviews on DVD / memory stick

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: (60 hours)
36 hours - Whole group sessions - consisting of participatory lectures and presentations by visiting speakers in order to disseminate core knowledge and theoretical perspectives, including those arising from the experience of service users
12 hours Facilitated small group sessions/tutorials - following a Problem Based Learning exercise on a given topic related to social work
12 hours Skills based teaching, involving problem based learning and role play in small groups

Directed Independent Study: (240 hours)
180 hours - Independent reading consolidating theories taught in the taught sessions and researching how these theories are used in social work/social care practice. Researching contemporary legislations and policies that apply to social work, forging links between this module and the `Rights, Justice and Equality module and thinking and reflecting on service user perspectives linking the theories from the `Values, Ethics and Multi-dimensional' module. Thus encouraging links between theory and practice and the political drivers and legal requirements that social workers must work within.
Ensuring use of VLE to support learning by reading core reading texts and independent activities are utilized. Assignment preparation for written work.
30 hours - Working with peers to towards group activities as directed in the facilitated sessions- this should include preparation for the group work and assessed presentation.
30 hours - Preparation for the simulated interview and ensuring familiarity with typoes of assessment and the recording of information

The Skilled Practitioner module is specifically designed to equip you with the skills necessary for social work/ social care practice.

The various aspect of communication will be discussed including active listening, interpretation of non-verbal communications and alternative communication forms e.g signing and maketon. There will be discussion of how socially constructed stereotypes may influence effective communication including myths, assumptions and discrimination.

In the module we will explore the types of interviews and we will relate these to a range of theoretical approaches and methods. We will also discuss the importance of effective planning for social work/social care interaction and the purposes for conducting interviews.

In addition, we will explore the range of emotion experienced by service users, carers and our own responses to the interactions, we will discuss a range of skills for interpreting, responding and effectively dealing with a range of situations. Including our own reflection and how supervisions and knowledge of emotional intelligence may be used to build resilience in our practice.

There will be an introduction to collaborative working with other professions which will link to skills days delivered by other professionals.

We will build on the knowledge of reflective practice commenced in `An Introduction to Study Skills for Social Work and Social Care' and relate this to our own practice and the appraisal of others' observing our practice to develop the skill of critical reflection and development.

1) An ASSESSED SIMULATED INTERVIEW with a service user/ carer, this will be recorded for part two of the assignment. (Weighted at 40%) (assessing LO 2)

2) An ASSIGNMENT Length 1600 WORDS - This piece of work is worth 60% of the final mark and consists of the following two components (assessing LO's 1, 3 and 4) :

(Part 1) A written analysis and evaluation of the skills used in the `simulated' interview which links the theories to the practice.

You will be expected to provide a DVD or memory stick for this interview so that a copy of the interview can be recorded and returned to you in preparation for your written analysis. - (1000 words maximum)

(Part 2) A written initial assessment and intervention strategy based on the `simulated' interview in using standardised documentation - (500 words maximum)

Students MUST pass ALL elements of assessment to complete the module

Formative Feedback:
This will be provided throughout the module and leading up the summative assessment and this will be through:
- Tutor feedback
- Group tutorials
- Service User and Carer feedback through scheduled practice activities and interviews in preparation for summative assessment