1. Critically analyse and apply the evidence base that informs effective social work intervention with adults.

Application & Problem Solving

2. Evaluate contemporary methods and professional skills, demonstrating thoughtful consideration of diversity, oppression, power and empowerment, to work collaboratively and effectively in partnership with adults at risk of abuse and neglect.

Critical Reasoning & Collaboration

3. Demonstrate a critical awareness and in-depth knowledge of the structural, cultural and professional issues facing organisations that undertake social work tasks with adults.

Knowledge and Understanding

4. Evaluate complex issues both systematically and creatively to inform and articulate an evidence-based professional opinion to challenge unfair decision making.

Application & Problem Solving

Formative Assessment

Group discussions and role play during teaching and learning sessions with the service user and carer group to embed learning within the module and to prepare for summative assessment elements.

Summative Assessment

You will engage in a professional simulation role-play based on a case study developed in partnership with key stakeholders where you can apply the learning from the module. The simulation will take the form of a discussion with a senior manager to challenge an unfair decision made.

You will then write an assignment based on the same case study where you analyse the evidence base you applied to inform your decision making.

Adopting a rights-based and person-centred approach, this module critically examines contemporary social work practice with adults and carers. It will enable you to develop advanced knowledge, analytical skills, and professional values that underpin evidence-informed and ethically sound practice.

Through teaching and learning activities, you will engage in critical evaluation and synthesis of:

The complex and evolving role of the social worker in practice with adults and carers, including ethical dilemmas and professional accountability.

Adult safeguarding within the statutory framework, with particular emphasis on the abuse of adults at risk, preventative strategies, recognition and identification of harm, and advanced approaches to risk assessment and management.

Theoretical perspectives, models, and contemporary research, interrogating how these inform and challenge current practice with adults.

Best practice evidence for working in partnership with service users who have diverse and complex needs, including those with mental health conditions, neurodiversity, and physical or learning disabilities.

Interprofessional and interagency collaboration, critically appraising its impact on outcomes for adults and carers.

Advanced intervention skills and methods, grounded in research and reflective practice.

Lived experience perspectives, exploring their implications for co-production and service improvement.

The role of anti-racist and anti-oppressive practice in understanding and challenging the personal, structural and cultural ways in which people experience power, oppression and discrimination in society

A particular focus will be placed on safeguarding enquiries under Section 42 of the Care Act 2014, building on prior learning by critically engaging with statutory guidance, policy frameworks, and the implications of Safeguarding Adult Reviews for professional practice and systemic learning.

The module will also analyse the impact of global, societal, organisational and professional factors on services for adults in need of support or safeguarding and the evidence. This will include exploring the professional identity of social worker in practice with adults.

Drawing on current research, policy analysis, and stakeholder collaboration, including voices of those with lived experience, the module will facilitate critical debate on contemporary issues in adult social work. You will interrogate the evidence base for interventions, evaluating their effectiveness and ethical dimensions in addressing complex social problems.

This module explores contemporary social work practice with adults and carers through a rights-based, person-centred lens. It equips students with the knowledge, skills, and values underpinning evidence-informed interventions. Key areas include the social worker’s role in adult safeguarding under the Care Act 2014, risk assessment and management, and learning from Safeguarding Adult Reviews. Students will critically engage with theoretical perspectives, models, and current research to inform practice, including work with individuals with dementia or learning disabilities. Emphasis is placed on multi-agency collaboration, partnership with service users and carers, and integrating lived experience into practice. The module also addresses emerging issues and the evidence base for effective interventions in safeguarding and promoting wellbeing.

Scheduled teaching and learning activities:

To consist of

During the classroom sessions there may be -

Lectures on key topics

Case-based learning: Realistic scenarios to illustrate the application of knowledge, skills and values to social work practice

Reflective groups: Peer discussion.

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

Directed Independent study:

- Accessing online resources

- Use of the VLE

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

- Formative and summative assessment preparation

Cooper, A. & White, E. (2017) Safeguarding Adults Under the Care Act 2014. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers Ltd.

Department for Health and Social Care (2022) Care Act 2014: Care and Support Statutory Guidance. London: The Stationary Office

Dix, H., Hollinrake, S. & Meade, J. (2019) Relationship-Based Social Work with Adults. St Albans: Critical Publishing Ltd.

Starns, B. (2019) Safeguarding Adults Together Under the Care Act 2014: A Multi-agency Practice Guide. St. Albans: Critical Publishing Ltd.

Simulation Suites

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