1.¿On completion of this module, you will be able to demonstrate critical application of the legislative framework, including the impact of contemporary definitions of harm, risk and need, in practice with children and families.

Professional standards 1.1, 1.7, 3.1, 3.3, 3.4
PCF 1, 4, 5

Analysis
Application

2.¿ On completion of this module, you will be able to explain and analyse theoretical perspectives and contemporary research that inform social work interventions with children and families.

Professional standards 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.15, 4.4

PCF 5, 6,

Knowledge & understanding
Analysis

3. On completion of this module, you will be able to reflect on the role of partnership working with children, families, and other professionals to inform assessment, and intervention in practice.

Professional standards 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 3.7
PCF 7, 6, 5

Reflection

4. On completion of this module, you will be able to recognise and explain the impact of diversity, disadvantage, and discrimination on children and families who access social work services.

Professional standards 1.2, 1.6, 3.14,
PCF 7, 2,3

Communication
Knowledge & understanding

Formative Assessment:

Group discussions and simulation during teaching and learning sessions to embed learning within the module and to prepare for summative assessment.

Summative assessment:

You will engage in a professional supervision role play based on a case study developed in partnership with key stakeholders where you can apply the learning from the module to evidence all learning outcomes.

The assessment element must be passed at a grade of 40 or above to successfully complete the module.

Taking a rights-informed, child-centred approach this module will contextualise contemporary social work practice with children and families and provide you with the knowledge, skills, and values that form the foundation of evidence informed practice. Teaching and learning on the module will enable you to develop critical understanding of:
- The role of the social worker in practice with children and families.
- The relationship between legislation, policy, and social work practice to safeguard and promote the wellbeing of children.
- The way in which events in recent history, such as serious case reviews, have shaped the social construction of childhood, parenting and abuse and the impact of this changing narrative on social work practice.
- A range of theoretical perspectives, methods, models, and contemporary research, and how these inform contemporary practice with children and families.
- The nature of abuse, risk, need and harm in contemporary society and how social workers make evidence-informed decisions to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
- The role and function of partnership working, in all its forms, to inform decision making, and to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
- The centrality of the voice of the child in practice.
- The impact of diversity, discrimination, and disadvantage on the lived experiences of children and families, and the knowledge, skills, and values that social workers utilise to challenge oppression and empower people who access social work services.

Informed by current research and collaboration with key stakeholders including people with lived experience, the module will also include analysis of the key contemporary issues in practice, and the evidence base to inform social work interventions to respond to them.

This module will develop your understanding of the role of the social worker with children and families. In considering the core knowledge, skills and values that underpin practice to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, the module will enable you to explore the foundations of evidence-informed practice.. Informed by current research and collaboration with key stakeholders, the module will include analysis of key contemporary issues in practice and the evidence base to inform social work interventions with children and families.

Scheduled teaching and learning activities: 29 hours

To consist of
- 39 hours of whole group sessions which will include participatory lectures, simulation-based learning, presentations by the module tutors, and where appropriate, people with lived experience of social work.

Directed Independent study: 161 hours to consist of:
- Accessing online resources
- Use of the VLE
- Independent reading to consolidate the knowledge introduced in the scheduled teaching and learning sessions
- Formative and summative assessment preparation

Barnes, V (2019) Child Centred social work: Theory and practice. London. Palgrave.
Frost, N (2020) Safeguarding Children & Young People: A guide for professionals working together. London. Sage
Horwath, J and Platt, D (2019) The Child’s World: The essential guide to assessing vulnerable children, young people and their families. London. JKP
Laird, S & Tedam, P (2019) Cultural diversity in child protection. London. Red Globe
Wilkins, D (2019) Child abuse: an evidence base for confident practice. (5th ed). London. OUP Press

You will have access to a range of materials on Blackboard VLE including articles, lecture slides, and interactive activities. You will also be able to access a variety of digital material through our library and specialist databases.