The aim of this module is to enable social workers to consolidate their post qualification practice to date within their chosen specialist social work practice area. In order to achieve this module will be centred around the development/further development of reflective, critical, analytical and evaluation skills in order to enable their self review of practice. The practitioner will firstly be introduced to the reflective and evaluative philosophy of concepts and models of reflection utilised in social work practice. Evaluation theory and strategies will also be explored. Contemporary issues facing social workers and drivers relevant to the student?s area of practice will be explored, identifying and discussing the changing social work age and the implications for practice. Through the use of small group work, practitioners will be encouraged to draw on their experience of being a qualified social work to date, reflecting upon their induction into and development of ongoing practice, exploring social work assessments, interventions and partnerships that enable the application of social work values, theoretical perspectives, policy and legislation to their area of practice throughout. Through small group work, practitioners will also be enabled to develop their use of reflection and peer review as strategies for evaluating issues arising from their own practice. In addition, the use of other personal review strategies, such as the use of practice observation and supervision, using evidence from the evaluations of users of services and other service providers will be encouraged. Personal Development Planning (PDP) as a basis for managing further continuing professional development will be introduced.

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: (30 hours)
Because of its emphasis on developing the reflective and self evaluative skills necessary to consider and consolidate social work practice within a chosen specialty, small problem focused group work (40%) will provide a focal learning strategy for the module. Students will be allocated to groups of between 5 and 8 members with experience in the specialist setting. In order to support the development of propositional knowledge to support practice analysis, reflection and evaluation, interactive core lectures and specialist seminars will also be utilised (50%). Group and individual tutorial support will also be provided (10%)

Guided Independent Study: (120 hours)
Independent learning time will be utilised to firstly enable practitioners to explore the related theory, law and policy that will provide an informed reflection on and evaluation of own practice issues , their contribution to the problem focused small group work and the development of their critical career review (60%). Students will also undertake a range of independent learning activities to support the development of their reflective skills, this will include the development of a reflective learning log and access to reflective and supervisory discussion with a nominated experienced specialist practitioner /assessor(30%). Practitioners can independently access resources and support for their learning using Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) (10%).

The portfolio consists of (1) a critical career review in which the practitioner reflects upon and evaluates how professional career development to date has been consolidated within their chosen specialist area. (2) A range of evidence which demonstrates how social work competency has been applied to their chosen field of specialist social work practice.

(3) Using the provided assessment schedule, the student must also successfully complete a summative observation of practice completed by an assessor working within the practitioners chosen field of specialist social work practice.

assessing all LO's

Formative assessment:
Students will receive feedback on their plans for their critical areas review in tutorials, they will also receive verbal feedback on case presentation in groupwork session.

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.
Practice assessor working within the practitioners chosen field of specialist social work.
PC with internet access, access to Blackboard VLE

Applicants must be registered social workers with the HCPC.
Must be currently working in the relevant context for chosen specialist practice route.
Will have an identified practice assessor to support work based development and provide observation of practice.

Brown, K. & Rutter, L. (2011) Critical Thinking for Social Work. Exeter, Learning Matters
Cottrell,S (2003) The Personal Development Planning Handbook , Basingstoke, Palgrave MacMillan
Means, R. Richards, S and Smith, R. (2008) Community Care 3rd Edition. Basingstoke, Palgrave
Thompson, N. & Thompson, S. (2007) Understanding Social Care. Lyme Regis, Russell House