Learning for Practice (UG) 2 (U01530)

? Credit Points : 80 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : SPS-4-SW4b

The course will have two main components First, Theory in Practice, where further consideration will be given to models and methods of social work intervention, risk assessment and risk management in a variety of settings and amongst different user groups. This element of the course will focus on the development of practice techniques and their application to work with children and families, in community care and in criminal justice social work.

The second component will be a period of assessed practice in a service delivery setting. It will provide opportunities for students to undertake direct, supervised social work practice within a social work service agency, or in an agency or department of another profession e.g. health or education in which social work services are provided.

The curriculum for learning in the agency setting will be structured to meet the Standards for Social Work Education in Scotland in conjunction with the academic curriculum. It will build on the experience of Learning for Practice 1 and will offer the required contrast of user group or setting.
Responsibility for practice learning and assessment of the student will be undertaken by a Practice Teacher, or other staff member appointed by the agency with a qualification at the level required by the SSSC. Contributions to student learning will be made by a range of other staff. Students' direct contact with users of service will be central to learning and a framework for incorporation of feedback from service users will be developed. The integration of knowledge and the application of social work values in practice will be supported by the involvement of a tutor during the practicum.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Social Work: Making a Difference Social Work: Policy and Legal Frameworks Social Policy and Society Politics of the Welfare State From Research into Practice: Landmarks in social work research Methods of Social Inquiry Social Work in Context Learning for Practice 1

Subject Areas

Home subject area

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

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 4th year

? Delivery Period : Full Year (Blocks 1-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 7 weeks

? Other Required Attendance : 35 hour(s) per week for 17 weeks

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

On completion of the course students should have had opportunity to demonstrate that they are able to: -

prepare for, and work with, individuals, families, carers, groups and communities to assess their needs and circumstances;
plan, carry out, review and evaluate social work practice with individuals, families, carers, groups, communities and other professionals;
assess and manage risk to individuals, families, carers, groups, communities, self and colleagues;
demonstrate professional competence in social work practice
manage and be accountable, with supervision and support, for their own social work practice within their organisation and;
support individuals to represent and manage their needs, views and circumstances.

Students will also be expected to demonstrate understanding of:
Approaches and methods of intervention in a range of community-based settings including group care;
Models and methods of assessment in different practice contexts and the use of relevant research, selection and testing of relevant information, the nature of professional judgment and the processes of risk assessment and management;
The nature of crisis and how it is different from related ideas such as emergency;
Factors influencing the selection and testing of relevant information, especially if is collected within tight timescales;
The nature of professional judgment and processes of risk assessment;
Factors influencing the effectiveness of conflict resolution in different settings;
The nature and characteristics of decision-making.
Values and social work practice;

In achieving these standards students will have demonstrated their knowledge and skills in the competence requirements and will have shown their commitment to the ethical standards of social work.

Assessment Information

1. Practice Dissertation (10,000 words) representing 100% of the recorded mark for this course and focussing on work undertaken during the practicum & including systematic & analytical review of literature relevant to the piece of work & applied to the analysis of practice. Consideration must be given to values & skills & inter-professional/interagency collaboration, & tensions between rights/responsibilities of all.
2. Assessment of supervised practice in a service delivery context. This will consist of a report from the Practice Teacher, with responsibility for the practicum, giving a clear pass / fail recommendation.
Students must pass the practicum to achieve an overall pass in Learning for Practice 2.