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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2024/2025

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Social and Political Science : Social Work

Postgraduate Course: Social Work with Individuals and Families (SCWR11038)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Social and Political Science CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis 20 credit course introduces students to core social work knowledge (theories and research) and values related to Social Work with Individuals and Families. Focusing on a number of key themes students will learn about: knowledge, skills and values in social work; navigating Scottish legal and policy frameworks; understanding the human experience and progression. Students will be introduced to the role of assessment in social work. The course offers opportunities to learn from social work practitioners and exerts by experience. The course will be taught mainly through weekly lectures, fortnightly tutorials, enquiry action learning activities, workshops and self-directed study. This course is intended to work alongside Social Work in Communities, Working with Self and Others and Understanding Care and Control in Social Work in Semester 2.
The aim of the group learning in tutorials and the enquiry action learning (EAL) sets are to provide a safe and effective educational environment in order to facilitate students¿ development, learning and reflection on the relevant professional skills, theories and methods being discussed. Time will be required to establish the group as a context for reflection, exploration and learning. Students will be expected to undertake reading and to reflect between tutorials and to attend tutorial groups, whenever possible.
Course description Assessment, decision-making and intervention are core social work activities with individuals and families. These are competencies which require a range of professional skills and knowledge. This course provides students with the opportunity to explore and learn how to apply theoretical knowledge, core social work concepts, values, and frameworks to assessment and decision making when working with individuals and families, with a focus on early intervention and prevention work with children and families.
The assignments within the module aim to increase students¿ professional skills and knowledge through both an individual written essay and group work activity culminating in a presentation. Both consider the evidence from key informants, lectures, and readings to build up an informed assessment of the individuals and circumstances around a case study.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Students MUST have passed:
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2024/25, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  0
Course Start Semester 1
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 16, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 24, Fieldwork Hours 3, Other Study Hours 55, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 98 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) There are two components to assessment:
A 3000 word essay based around an assessment of a child and/or of parenting capacity (80%)
A group presentation (20%)

Feedback Not entered
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Understand the role of assessment in social work; and critically discuss the assessment framework primarily relevant to children and their families
  2. Critically assess human situations locating a child, individual family member and/or family within their social and family context, taking account of appropriate legislation and guidance, theories of human development and the views of those involved
  3. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding underpinning key capabilities in child care and protection
Reading List
Basarab-Horwath, J., Platt, D., 2018 The child's world : the essential guide to assessing vulnerable children, young people and their families. Third edition., London, Jessica Kingsley Publishers,
Milner, J., Myers, S., ; O'Byrne, P., 2020 Assessment in Social Work. 5th ed, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan,
Parker, J, 2020 Work practice : assessment, planning, intervention and review. 6th edition / Jonathan Parker., Los Angeles, Learning Matters,
Tait, A., Wosu, H., 2016 Direct work with family groups : simple, fun ideas to aid engagement, assessment and enable positive change London, Jessica Kingsley Publishers,

Houston, S., (2017) Toward a critical ecology o child development in social work: aligning the theories of Bronfenbrenner and Bourdieu Families Relationships and society 6(1) 53-69
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserDr Mary Mitchell
Tel: (0131 6)51 1538
Email: Mary.Mitchell@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Celia Atherton
Tel:
Email: cathert2@ed.ac.uk
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