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Undergraduate Module Descriptors 2012/13
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SWU103: Social Work Skills

Module Title Social Work Skills
Module Code SWU103
Module Tutor Andrea Collins
School Institute of Education and Public Services
CAT Points 30
Level of Study 4
Pre-requisites None
Co-requisites None
Restrictions Restricted to Social Work
Brief Description This module introduces students to the theories and skills that underpin effective social work practice within a diverse and changing social context. The focus will be on work with individuals and groups, including communities and teams, and the judicious use of these skills in ways that are effective and that enable people to address concerns and to move their lives forward. It will ensure that students are prepared and safe to undertake practice learning, and provide an opportunity to shadow an experienced social worker if students have not already done so prior to starting the programme.
Students are required to complete a written reflection on this experience, submitting the feedback from the experienced social worker. The written reflection is then assessed by the module team.
Indicative Syllabus
  • Theories that underpin the effective use of interviewing and communication skills, and groupwork theory and practice, and the use of these skills in a range of contexts, settings and with different client groups.
  • The importance of the establishing a sound relationship and working alliance with service users, carers and others (e.g. relatives, neighbours, other professionals).
  • The importance of acquiring reflective and reliable observation and listening skills
  • The importance of language and verbal/non-verbal forms of communication
  • The importance of establishing a mandate for the work to be undertaken, particularly the importance of locating service users and carers at the centre of the decision-making process
  • the importance of group dynamics and groups processes and how these impact on group members
  • understanding the importance of leadership and different leadership styles and their impact
  • An understanding of how themes covered in other modules relate to this module and translate into practice
Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module, students should be able to:

  1. demonstrate the importance of interviewing and communication skills in relation to social work
  2. the use of groupwork theory and practice skills in a range of contexts, including work with teams and communities
  3. demonstrate competence in interviewing service users and others
  4. demonstrate an understanding of the experiences of service users and carers and how this understanding can be communicated within the interview, group and communication process
  5. demonstrate an understanding of groupwork theory and its relevance to social work practice, and the importance of leadership skills in certain contexts
  6. link the teaching covered in other parts of the degree programme to themes covered in this module
  7. develop a critically reflective, self-directed, collaborative and rigorous attitude to learning and to the acquisition of knowledge and the ability to relate this learning to practice skills.
  8. All students are required to shadow an experienced social worker to meet DoH/GSCC requirements and reflect on the experience.
Learning and Teaching Activities

Staff/student contact Approx. 20% (to include lectures, facilitated practice sessions, discussion, role-play and simulation exercises)
Student independent study Approx. 80% (to include reading, practice skills preparation and demonstration)
Assessment (For further details see the Module Guide) 001: 50% Coursework: Standard: 3000 words or equivalent
002: 50% Coursework: Standard: 2000 words or equivalent
Special Assessment Requirements None
Indicative Resources

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.

Important

Please note the course resources in this website are archived versions from previous years.

Course resources for the current years of entry are available to staff and students on Infonet.

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Old Archive

Course resources prior to 2012/13 can still be found in the original Maps and Descriptors Archive.

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