1. Evidence the knowledge, skills and values as set out in the Professional Capabilities Framework (BASW, 2018) ‘End of first placement’ level descriptor.

Knowledge and Understanding

Safe and Professional Practice

2. Demonstrate a systematic and creative application of evidence-informed approaches to social work practice.

Application & Problem solving

3. Demonstrate the ability to reflect on your own practice and use supervision effectively to enhance future interactions and interventions with service users, carers and other professionals.

Reflection

Personal Development & Entrepreneurship

4. Demonstrate appropriate use of digital tools to record and share information, including where appropriate ethical use of artificial intelligence.

Digital Literacy

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 submit a Professional Practice Portfolio which you will complete during your 100-day placement. Your portfolio needs to provide evidence that you have met the requirements of the Professional Capabilities Framework at the End of Final Placement level.

This will be assessed by:

Completion of all elements of the digital Professional Practice Portfolio. This will include

Student Learning Plan

Mid-Point Review

3 x Successfully completed direct observations of practice, including evidence of preparation, observer feedback and student reflection on the observation

3 x 750-word critical reflections mapped to the PCF super domains (NB an additional reflection will be required from students where the concerns process was initiated/followed)

1 x 500 word reflection on the application of digital tools in social work practice e.g. assistive technologies or ethical use of AI

Reflection on service user feedback

Future learning needs

Summative PE report

Student reflection on the summative assessment report

Where relevant, a Work-Based Supervisor’s Report.

You will complete a 100-day practice learning opportunity (placement) where you will have the opportunity to demonstrate that you have met the requirements of the Professional Capabilities Framework at the End of Last Placement / Completion level. Your placement could be in any relevant setting and will have been quality assured to ensure that it provides suitable opportunities to demonstrate your capabilities.

During your placement, you will have the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge, critical understanding and application of theories, concepts, and values of social work. You will utilise a range of social work skills to provide and support service users their families and carers.

Your learning and assessments of your capabilities will focus on the domains of the Professional Capabilities Framework at the End of Last Placement / Completion level.

Prior to your placement, you are required to attend four preparation for placement days – these form part of the mandatory 20 skills days embedded through the course. During these days, content will focus on skills for practice e.g. developing and applying communication skills in complex or challenging situations, professionalism and professional identity including fitness to practise, professional standards and codes of ethics.

During the placement, you will attend 4 Professional Development Days (PDD) at the University where current themes and issues will be discussed, and links formed between theories, law, and practice.

You are required to complete 100 full days in practice. Any days lost during placement will need to be made up at the end of the placement.

At the heart of social work courses is practice based learning, in this final module of the MA Social Work you will complete a 100-day placement in a local organisation delivering social work services. You will each be allocated a professionally qualified Practice Educator who will work with you throughout your placement to facilitate critical thinking, support you to apply classroom learning to real-world practice and promote an anti-oppressive practice.

Scheduled teaching and learning activities:

To consist of

During the classroom sessions there may be -

Lectures on key topics

Case-based learning:

Reflective groups: Peer discussion.

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

100 days of practice-based learning (700 hours) where you will work alongside qualified social workers to develop and apply the required knowledge, skills and behaviours to become a confident and capable social work practitioner. Students can take the equivalent of .5 days per week study time to focus on completing their portfolio and any tasks set by their practice educator.

Brammer, A. (2024) Social Work Law. 6th. Harlow: Pearson Education Ltd.

Edwards, D and Parkinson K (eds) (2023) Applying Strength-based approaches in social work. Bristol: Policy Press

Hood, R (2018) Complexity in Social Work. London: Sage

Killick, C and Taylor, B (2020) Assessment, Risk and Decision making in Social Work: An Introduction. London. Sage

Tedam, P (2024) Anti-Oppressive Social Work Practice. Learning Matters

Simulation Suites

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