Each week you will be presented with a contemporary issue in social work practice. The module will take a generic approach to issues and will cover work with children, adults and people with mental health needs. Teaching will include opportunities to evaluate research and social policy on social work and social care. This process will highlight how individual practice is shaped by national policies and demonstrate the importance of remaining up to date with political, legal, social and cultural changes as you practice as a social worker.
For your assignment, you will choose a topic which is best suited to your current areas of interest and career aspirations. Your research into the topic will be guided by the staff teaching on the module.

Much of the enquiry and study undertaken on this module will be independent due to the broad nature of themes chosen, this will enable you to develop the skills of independent thinking and lifelong learning that you will need to adopt in your career in social work.¿

5000 Word Assignment:
You will identify a current issue which impacts on social work practice. You will review current research and identify the implications of the findings for your practice. You will reflect on current practice and discuss how this might be developed in light of your findings (assessing all LO's).

Formative assessment/ Feedback:
Academic staff will provide feedback on assignment plans at tutorials. You will also be able to discuss your choice of issue and focus with your practice educator during supervision whilst on placement.

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities (48 hours):
- Key lectures on contemporary themes in social work
- Workshops (including advanced academic skills sessions) and group tutorials

Guided Independent Study (252 hours)
- 190 hours identifying a focus for the topic and in thinking about the relevance of this for practice. You will then need to research the topic and start to think about the application to your practice and development
- 30 hours assignment preparation
- 32 hours in supervision on placement

1. On completion of this module, you will be able to identify and critically appraise a contemporary issue in social work or social care

(PCF 6.1, SG 8) Professional Standards 4.4 - Knowledge and Understanding, Learning

2. On completion of this module, you will be able to demonstrate a systematic approach of the search strategies required to undertake a review of evidence for the contemporary issue identified

(PCF 5.1, 5.11, 6.3, 6.4; SG9) Professional Standard 4.3 - Knowledge and Understanding, Enquiry, Problem Solving

3. On completion of this module, you will be able to contribute effectively and analytically to discussions regarding contemporary issues in social work / social care

(PCF 9.2, SG4,5) Professional Standards 1.7, 3.5 - Communication, Analysis, Knowledge and Understanding

4. On completion of this module, you will be able to critique and interpret relevant knowledge and articulate the potential for application and practice and in your role development

(PCF 1.9, 5.1, 5.10, 6.5, 6.6; SG 2, 6,10) Professional Standards 3.1, 3.2, 4.6 - Application, Reflection, Problem Solving

Particular attention must be paid to the Blackboard resources due to the contemporaneous nature of journals, articles and press releases contained within. It is strongly advised that students focus on reading material from the last five years.

Aveyard, H. (2018) Doing a Literature Review in Health and Social Care: A Practical Guide. 4th. Oxford: Oxford University Press

Bottomley, J., Cartney, P. and Pryjmachuk, S. (2019) Critical Thinking Skills for your Social Work Degree. St Albans: Critical Publishing

Fook, J. (2021) Practicing Critical Reflection in Social Care Organisations. Milton: Taylor and Francis

Hood, R. (2018) Complexity in Social Work. London: SAGE Publications, Ltd.

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

This is an exciting and topical module based on current and emerging social work practice issues. A generic approach is taken to the subject matter to include impact and relevance in children's services, mental health and adults services with many of the themes cutting across each discipline. The final assessed piece is an assignment based on a contemporary theme of the student's choice supported by research and where relevant, professional experience.