The aim of this module is to enable participants to integrate and embed their professional knowledge and social work value base into their specialist practice setting, developing and demonstrating competence in empowering specialist social work practice. Theories and models of empowerment will be discussed, students will then be encouraged to critically analyse challenges faced in empowering social work practice within their contemporary specialist context. In order to empower self and others within the rapidly changing social and policy context, students will also consider theories of reflection, leadership and change management and the development of personal strategies to cope with uncertainty in the management of their practice. Within this an understanding of responsibility and accountability will be enhanced. Students will explore the development of a portfolio as a systematic method of providing evidence of Continuing Professional Development and competence and will revisit personal development planning (PDP) in relation to achievement of their specialist standards and competencies in practice. Further opportunity to discuss progression and achievement of PDP's will be provided throughout the module both through specialist group and individual tutorials. Two individual review sessions will be jointly completed with the student's personal tutor and their practice assessor. In the latter part of the module, students will use specialist action learning sets in order to learn from peer review and reflection on relevant problems and issues drawn from the student's empowering practice, being facilitated to explore the professional knowledge, theory and values that underpinned or challenged the issue and evaluating the effectiveness of decisions taken. Students will produce an action plan at the end of each set meeting and will be encouraged to consider how this links to their PDP.

assesses learning outcomes 1,2,3,4,5 and 6

Students will construct a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate that they have achieved the GSCC professional requirements and standards for specialist social work practice.

The portfolio must include:
- Successful completion of specialist competency document. The achievement of competence must be verified, passed and signed by an agreed practice assessor.
- Successful completeion of a direct observation of practice in the learners specialist area of social work
- A range of further supporting evidence demonstrating achievement of specialist competency
- Critically reflective writing drawn from and related to evidence within the portfolio which i) demonstrates how professional knowledge and social work values have been applied to the development of specialist skills and competencies, ii)evaluates their effectiveness in delivering empowering specialist social work practice and iii) illustrates management of own learning and self development. Students will choose an appropriate model to guide their reflective writing and may also draw on the issues raised during their action learning sets. Although students may submit several pieces of critical reflection within their portfolio, the total number of words will be 6,000.

Both elements of assessment must be passed.

Formative assessment:
Two individual joint reviews will provide feedback and guidance on the ongoing personal development plan, and the construction of evidence for the portfolio
Feedback will provided on formative reflective writing.

Teacher/Student Contact Hours 60 hours
The emphasis of this module is to develop, integrate and embed the learning gained from the full post qualifying programme of study. Contact time will initially provide interactive lectures and group discussion focusing on theories, policies and values that support empowering social work practice. Reflective practice and writing will be reviewed (40%) Students will then be supported through the use of specialist action learning sets to reflect on particular problems and challenges facing them in the delivery of empowering specialist social work practice in complex situations. (40%) Group and individual tutorial support will also be provided (20%)

Independent Learning: 240 hours
Independent learning time will be utilised to firstly to explore literature relevant to the key themes (20%)and subsequently to prepare material for use in the action learning set (10%). However the development of the portfolio is central to the module and therefore the majority of independent learning time will be spent in preparation for the module assessment (60%). Practitioners can independently access resources and support for their learning using Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) (10%).

Audio visual aids and equipment: laptop PC and data projector, OHP and flipchart, television monitor and DVD or video player.
Appropriate rooms for small group work
Peer group within action learning set
Module and personal tutor.
PC with internet access, access to Blackboard VLE

Qualified social worker, registered with the GSCC.
Students must have attended the taught element of four modules of the full specialist social work practice award
Must be currently working in the relevant context for specialist practice route.
Will have an identified assessor to support practice learning and assessment.

Braye,S and Preston-Shoot,M (1995) Empowering Practice in Social Care, Buckingham Open University Press ISBN 9780335192458
Cournoyer,B.R and Stanley,M (2001) The Social Work Portfolio:Planning,Assessing and Documenting Lifelong Learning in a Dynamic Profession Calgary, Brookcole ISBN 9780534343057
Gould,N.G and Taylor,I (1996) Reflective Learning for Social Work Aldershot, Arena ISBN 9781857423211
Statham,D (2004) Managing Front Line Practice in Social Work , London, Jessica Kingsley.ISBN184310886X