1. Communicate to the required academic standards in terms of writing styles, referencing, accessing a range of

sources and reflective writing.

Communication

Research Skills

2. Demonstrate the professional capabilities required by the ‘readiness for supervised practice’ level of Professional Capabilities Framework (BASW 2018).

Safe and professional practice

3. Critically reflect on and evaluate your own learning needs, strengths, weaknesses and opportunities to develop your skills and capabilities as a social work student.

Reflection

Personal Development and Entrepreneurship

4. Utilise advanced digital tools and platforms to systematically locate, appraise, and synthesise information that informs and enhances professional social work practice

Digital Literacy

Formative Assessment -
 
You will also undertake a range of skills focused tasks such as simulated practice experiences, writing case notes, chronologies and genograms to assist in developing skills and identifying appropriate learning needs.  

20-minute role play – students will undertake a role play based on a case study with an expert by experience.  The case study will be developed in partnership with key stakeholders to ensure it is reflective of contemporary social work practice.  

Summative assessment

Students will produce an assignment on a topic relevant to the case study, this should demonstrate the appropriate academic skills for level 7 study, including appropriate use of academic sources, literature searching etc.  

A Professional Portfolio which must include the following elements:

Academic & service user feedback on the role play
Three short reflections mapped to the super domains of the Professional Capabilities Framework 

350-word Reflection on the role play (Practice) 

350-word Reflection - something about values?? (Purpose) 

350-word Reflection on a learning experience from a taught session (Impact) 

Skills matrix mapped to the ‘readiness for supervised practice’ level of the Professional Capabilities Framework (No more than 500 words) 

Learning plan (No more than 500 words) 

This module will equip you with the foundations for professional knowledge and skills necessary for the practice and academic elements of the course.

Academic knowledge and skills -
Study skills and academic writing - including skills required for formal writing, structuring assignments, meeting learning outcomes successfully, choosing and citing evidence to support your answers.
An introduction to reflective practice - including reflective practice models and links to the PCF.
Locating and utilising information from academic sources - including using libraries and technology to enhance learning. You will be introduced to the use of our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) as this will form a key part of your learning on any undergraduate programme.

Practice knowledge and skills -
Professionalism - personal conduct in your private and work life and issues which lead to Fitness to Practise panels, and professional boundaries.
Introduction to the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) (BASW, 2018) and the Social Work England Professional Standards (2019)
An introduction to Learning Styles theories in relation to identifying individual need and best methods for learning.
Relationship-based practice in social work and the core elements of relationship-based practice; understanding, collaboration, commitment, communication.
Skills for interpreting, responding and effectively dealing with a range of situations. Including our own reflection and how supervisions and knowledge of emotional intelligence may be used to build resilience in our practice.

The Core Skills for Social Work Practice module is specifically designed to equip you with the foundations for professional knowledge and skills necessary to the develop, progress and succeed in both the practice and academic elements of the course. Core topics will include, the role and function of the regulatory body and Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF), MA level academic writing, referencing and reflective skills, Relationship Based Practice.

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 60 hours

To consist of -
60 hours Whole group sessions and practical workshops

Directed Independent Study: 240

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 utilized.
Portfolio completion

The module contains 15-skills days which form part of the 20 mandatory skills days required. These will be clearly set out in the module timetable, and any missed sessions regardless of the reason must be made up.

Beesley, P. et al. (2024) Developing your communication skills in social work. Second edition / Paula Beesley, Melanie Watts, Sarah Harlow. London: SAGE.

Cartney, P. and Bottomley, J. (2024) Studying for your master’s degree in social work. St Albans: Critical Publishing. https://www.vlebooks.com/product/openreader?id=StaffsUni&accId=8398653&isbn=9781915080455

Cottrell, S. (2023) Critical thinking skills: effective analysis, argument and reflection. Fourth edition. London: Bloomsbury Academic.

Thompson, N (2020) Understanding Social Work: Preparing for Practice (5th ed) London. Red Globe Press

Simulation Suites

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