1. Demonstrate critical understanding of the nature of mental health issues and apply contemporary research to make recommendations for social work practice with adults and children

Knowledge and Understanding

Research skills

2. Apply theoretical perspectives and models to analyse the social construction of mental health and communicate the impact of this on service users of mental health services

Application and Problem Solving

Communication

3. Demonstrate understanding of how social workers maintain their professional identity and uphold social works values within multi-disciplinary contexts.

Critical Reasoning and Collaboration

4. Recognise and explain how diversity, disadvantage and discrimination can impact those involved in the mental health industry.

Application and Problem Solving

Assessment 1 : You will write a 1000-word essay, this will be based on a case study designed in partnership with key stakeholders. You will analyse and apply relevant social work research to produce an analysis of the case study and propose recommendations for social work practice with a chosen individual/s in the case study.



Assessment 2: Assessed by a panel, you will deliver an individual 20 minute oral presentation. This will be accompanied by some form of digital presentation e.g. Canva or PowerPoint slides. There will be 5 minutes for questions from the panel included in the total time.

You will explain the social construction of mental health including consideration of the medical and social models, and how you can advocate for service users. This will include consideration of the intersectional factors that shape lived experience of mental health and how it is socially constructed, such as race, gender and poverty. The presentation will also include a reflection on the challenges that social workers experience in multi-agency contexts. The remaining 5 minutes will allow you to answer questions posed by the panel.

The module is aimed towards providing you with the concepts, vocabulary and practices used by the mental health industry. Substantial evidence indicates that social workers work with those with a mental illness as well as working alongside those who treat mental illness. The content has two parallel themes: mental health knowledge and the social construction of mental health - the latter aiming towards preparing you to advocate for people with lived, or living, experience of mental illness, including how this might inform safeguarding practices for adults and young people.

The role of the social worker in relation to people with lived or living experience of mental illness,

The relationship between legislation, policy, and social work practice relevant to mental health.

A range of theoretical perspectives, methods, models, and contemporary research, and how these inform contemporary practice with people experiencing mental illness

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 impact of diversity, discrimination, and disadvantage on the lived experiences of those experiencing mental illness and their families.

The knowledge, skills, and values that social workers utilise to challenge oppression and empower people who access social work services, including anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices.

This is a new and exciting module. You will have the opportunity to understand some of the concepts and vocabulary used by medical professionals when treating mentally unwell service users. You will also begin to understand the differences between the medical and social models, how these are applied in practice and how social workers can represent the profession within a multi-disciplinary context.

Scheduled teaching and learning activities:
During the classroom sessions there may be -

Lectures on key topics

Peer learning: Small group discussion to explore some of the key issues in greater depth.

Case-based learning: Realistic scenarios for critical thinking.

Simulated practice: Role-play multi-agency meetings.

Reflective groups: Peer discussion.

Guest speakers: Experienced practitioners and people with lived experience of social work

Directed Independent Study:

To consist of

Accessing online resources

Use of the VLE

Independent reading to consolidate the knowledge introduced in the scheduled teaching and learning session

Formative and summative assessment preparation

Davidson, G., Campbell, J., McCartan, C., Morrison, L., Mulholland, C. & Shannon, C. (2026) Models of Mental Health (2nd Edition). Bloomsbury Academic

This book is relevant because it introduces key models for understanding mental health, giving social work students a theoretical foundation for interpreting mental distress and service responses.

Golightley, M. (2020) Social work and mental health. 7th edn. Thousand Oaks: Sage.



This text is essential as it explains the roles, responsibilities, and challenges for social workers in mental health settings, linking legislation, policy, and practice.





Gould, N (2022) Mental Health Social Work in Context. 2nd ed. London: Routledge



This book provides a contemporary overview of mental health practice within wider social, political, and organisational contexts, helping students understand how these factors shape social work interventions.







Cohen, B (2018) Routledge International Handbook of Critical Mental Health. London: Routledge

This handbook introduces critical perspectives on mental health, encouraging social work students to question dominant models and consider alternative, rights based and socially informed approaches.

Simulation suites

Virti or other digital tools to aid in phenomena or simulation-based learning