Social Work: Making A Difference (U01498)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 8 ? Acronym : SPS-1-SW1a

The course will introduce students to notions, definitions and insights about social work practice from within the profession, discussing how they compare with public understanding (and prejudices) of the social workers' role and task. A theme will be to explore how social workers can and do make a difference. Outside contributors will discuss what they do and how they interface with other professions, providing students with an awareness of the distinct place of social work in the range of welfare services.

Entry Requirements

none

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Social Work, (School of Social and Political Studies, Schedule J)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 1st year

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

? Other Required Attendance : 1 hour(s) per week for 9 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
18/09/2007	11:10	12:00	Lecture Theatre C, David Hume Tower	Central

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Tuesday	11:10	12:00	Central
Lecture	Thursday	11:10	12:00	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

To be familiar with the nature of social work services in a diverse society.
To be aware of different explanations for the characteristics and circumstances of people who use services and the services they need.

To understand the nature and characteristics of effective and indirect practice skills, with a range of people who use services and in a variety of settings, including group care.

To appreciate the current range and appropriateness of statutory, voluntary and private agencies providing community-based, daycare, residential and other services and the organisational systems within these.

To be familiar with the current range and appropriateness of statutory, voluntary and private agencies providing community-based, daycare, residential and other services and the organisational systems within these.

To be familiar with social worker's roles as statutory agents with duties and responsibilities to protect the public and uphold the law.

To understand the characteristics and evidence of the effectiveness of social work practice in a range of community-based and organisational settings including group care.

To be familiar with factors influencing changes in practice within statutory, voluntary and private sector agencies.

To understand the nature, historical development and application of social work values and codes of practice.

To be familiar with the position of contemporary social work within historical and comparative perspectives, including European and international contexts.

Assessment Information

Assessment by one two hour exam (60%), one 2000 word essay (40%), plus one short - formative - exercise to be submitted early in the lecture sequence.
Overall mark will be an average of the results of the exam and essay.