This module will run in preparation for the final practice learning and will draw substantially from agency policies and practices as experienced by students, practice learning supervisors and research.

4 x 6 hrs in day blocks of teaching = 24 hours
Comprising on:

Whole group sessions - to provide a critical exposition of key concepts, theories and dilemmas drawing upon the experience of agency practitioners, research and tutors.

Small group sessions - a critical examination of material explored in large group sessions combined with student experience drawn from placement agencies, utilising student presentations


Directed study and independent learning - students will be required to retrieve key information about agency policies and practices in relation to health and safety, accountability, staff care, relationships with external agencies, funding, legal mandates, organisational forms (especially private and voluntary sector/charitable agencies), teamwork and supervision. Agency material will be critically evaluated and compared with other agencies and research. (126 hours)

Total 150 hrs

This module provides subject knowledge and understanding in the following key areas :-

1) The organisational location of social work and social care services including geographical, functional (fieldwork services, residential services, day care services) and organisational forms.
2) Relationships with other health and care sector agencies in statutory, private and voluntary sectors (including mechanisms for dealing with multi-disciplinary and multi-agency services - pooled budgets, joint finance, lead bodies, commissioning).
3) The roles of professional practitioners and managerial staff within organisational and agency contexts.
4) Organisational and team structures and processes within organisations.
5) Health and safety issues including stress management
6) Mechanisms for organisational accountability for service delivery (Care Standards and Inspection, SSI and Audit Commission, supervision, workload and caseload management). Forms of accountability - to professional codes, personal conviction, accountability to service users and to agency)
7) Communication and information technologies in organisations, including the Data Protection Act, 1998.
8) The knowledge, Skills and values needed to promote optional organisational effectiveness.

Assignment
Word length 2500
Learning Outcomes 1 to 7
100%

Students must achieve 40% in order to pass this module. No compensation or condonation is allowed.

Module study guide
Appropriate texts/journals
Computer and access to www
Policy and practice guidelines from practice learning agency (internal and public)

You will need access to one of the following texts:

Coulshed, V. & Mullender, A. (2000) Management in Social Work, 2nd edition, Basingstoke, Palgrave MacMillan. ISBN 0333724125

Hawkins, P. & Shohet, R. (2000) Supervision in the Helping Professions, 2nd edition, Buckingham, Open University Press. ISBN 0335201180

Exworthy, M. & Halford, S. (1999) Professionals and the New Managerialism in the Public Sector, Buckingham, Open University Press.
ISBN 0335198201

This module is open only to students enrolled on the BA (Hons) Social Work who have successfully completed level 2 of this award.

Student must also have studied all other level 3 modules on the BA (Hons) Social Work & cannot combine this module with level 3 modules outside of the BA (Hons) Social Work.