1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of how social factors including social policy can impact on the life chances and experiences of service users.

Knowledge and Understanding

2. Critically apply theoretical perspectives to analyse intersectional experiences of oppression, discrimination power and inequality.

Application & Problem Solving

3. Demonstrate critical awareness and evaluation of contemporary evidence which could be used to inform social workers in collaborating with and empowering those who access social work services.

Critical Reasoning & Collaboration

4. Articulate the role of the social work profession in challenging institutional discrimination, oppression and inequality.

Communication

Formative Assessment -

A range of formative assessment strategies may be used throughout the modules which could include

Group presentations
Group discussion and reflection

Role play or discussion with people with lived experience of social work

Summative assessment -

You will be required to write a 2000-word assignment considering the impact of social factors and policy on lived experiences, and on the role of social work in challenging institutional discrimination, oppression and inequality.

You will also complete a reflective supervision with an experienced social worker/social work academic, this will focus on a case study designed in partnership with people with lived experience and/or experienced social work practitioners.

This module will examine the social and political context of social work and the social problems that drive the need for intervention. The module will also introduce sociological explanations of social phenomena such as power, discrimination, inequality, and poverty. There will be a focus on current research and social policy, as well as on future social and political developments likely to impact on practice. The module will consider how social policies, and the social problems they are designed to address and interact with prevalent attitudes towards those from marginalised groups at an individual, cultural and structural levels.

The module will also include consideration of:

The construction of social problems

Structural inequalities and discrimination regarding individual characteristics such as age, gender, ethnicity, faith, sexual orientation, disability and social class, and how they impact both on life chances and experience

Theoretical perspectives related to discrimination, poverty, and social exclusion

How social workers initiate conversations and explore sensitive issues such as those above with service users

Social policy that impacts on the day to day lived experiences of those who access social work services

The role of the social work profession in challenging institutional oppression and discrimination through anti-racist and anti-oppressive practice

Research into the knowledge, skills and behaviours social workers require to work alongside and empower those who are marginalised or minoritised in society.

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This module provides you with an introduction to the social and political context of social work, and the social problems that drive the need for intervention. You will be introduced to theoretical perspectives that explain social phenomena, such as inequality, poverty, and discrimination. As well as social policies that seek to address these and inform social work practice. You will have the opportunity to consider future social and political developments likely to impact on practice.

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 60 hours

To consist of -
During the classroom sessions there may be -

Lectures covering key topics

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

Case-based learning: Realistic scenarios to support critical thinking and application of knowledge to the lived experience of people who access social work services

Simulated practice experiences

Reflective groups: Peer discussion

Flipped learning activities.

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

Directed Independent Study:

To consist of -
Accessing online resources such as Webinars, podcasts etc relevant to the module
Independent reading, consolidating knowledge explored and developed in the direct teaching and learning sessions researching how these are used in social work practice.
Use of VLE to support learning by reading core reading texts and independent activities are utilised.

Bernard, C. (2022) Intersectionality for social workers : a practical introduction to theory and practice. New York, Routledge

Cunningham, J. & Cunningham, S. (2022) Sociology for Social Workers. 3rd. Exeter: Learning Matter

Hood, R (2023) Inequality and social work. First Edition. London: SAGE Publications Ltd

Warwick-Booth, L. (2022) Social inequality. Core new edition. London: SAGE Publications Ltd.

Webb, S.A. (ed.) (2019) The Routledge handbook of critical social work. New York. Routledge

Simulation Suites

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