Social Work: Apprenticeship

This module gives learners a practical opportunity to advance their skills and knowledge in a social work service and enhance their capability in preparation for their ASYE year. It will cover the core tasks of social work, risk assessment, assessment of needs, care planning, working with other professionals and developing and sustaining relationships with service users and carers. The learner will need to demonstrate their skills in working autonomously, critical and analytical reflective thinking when confronted with problems and dilemmas, and working using best evidence, e.g. identifying what is best evidence and how it informs better outcomes for service users.

Engaging directly with service users provides learners with a deeper understanding of the real-world challenges and needs of the people they will be supporting, developing empathy and a client-centred approach and strengths-based approach. By working closely with service users, learners can apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings, solidifying their learning and making abstract concepts more tangible and relevant. Interacting with service users hones learners ’ communication skills, teaching them to listen actively, convey information clearly, and build trust, which are essential for effective social work practice. Building relationships with service users teaches learners the importance of trust and rapport, crucial for successful interventions. Additionally, developing skills in interprofessional working is emphasized, as learners learn to collaborate effectively with other professionals, enhancing their ability to provide comprehensive care. Service user contributions often involve feedback and insights that guide learners in their practice, encouraging reflective learning and continuous improvement. Furthermore, working with service users highlights the ethical dimensions of social work, making learners more aware of issues such as confidentiality, consent, and respect for individuals’ rights and dignity. Importantly, the integration of theory supports informed interventions, ensuring that learners ’ actions are grounded in evidence-based practices and sound professional principles. Overall, this emphasis enriches learners ’ educational experience, making them more competent, compassionate, and effective social workers.

To develop learner skills in being able to critically analyse practice.

Critical thinking and reflective skills are essential to effective decision making and this module will take the form of critical reflective learning in small groups. Learners will share and investigate critical incidents from their practice experience in a safe learning environment supported by service users who are experienced in this type of learner engagement and facilitated by lecturers. They will be invited to think about their practice and make links with relevant theories, skills and experience. To do this successfully they need to engage in evidence-informed practice, evaluate practice systematically and participate in audit procedures.

Learners will also be encouraged to make links with ethics, values and to think anti-oppressively. It will be suggested that learners keep a learning log which can be drawn upon in the summative assignment and used as evidence in their workplace and practice experiences. Learners will also be expected to use the University closed discussion board system throughout the module.

This module will address the challenges of assessing risk with regards to need and protecting service users from abuse and neglect. In doing so, it will support learners to understand the complexities of assessment; going beyond simply identifying need, but to critically analyse information presented to effectively safeguard those we work with and manage risks. Assessment and risk represent deceptively simple concepts, however good assessment is the cornerstone of social work practice and therefore will be explored in-depth. Assessments can have a significant impact on the lives of all service users, therefore assessment frameworks and the ways in which ways assessments are conducted and how information is used and analysed will be explored with learners. Effective assessment is a transparent area of practice where the social worker is clearly accountable for their actions. Stringent recording and communication are essential cornerstones of good practice. Learner’s will continue to learn about the importance of research and by encouraging research literacy they will develop skills required to be critically informed and their work be supported through evidence-based practice, practitioner input and case studies.

Social work is an international discipline with its own body of specialised knowledge. It also relies heavily on other knowledge disciplines such as sociology, psychology and anthropology and professional knowledge from law, health and education. This module will give learners comprehensive knowledge underpinning legal and safe practice. It will also cover key skills in research and the critical appraisal of theory and knowledge. It will support learners applying law in practice and knowing key legislation to support children and adults.

This module gives learners a practical opportunity to advance their skills and knowledge in a social work service and enhance their capability in preparation for their ASYE year. It will cover the core tasks of social work, risk assessment, assessment of needs, care planning, working with other professionals and developing and sustaining relationships with service users and carers. The learner will need to demonstrate their skills in working autonomously, critical and analytical reflective thinking when confronted with problems and dilemmas, and working using best evidence, e.g. identifying what is best evidence and how it informs better outcomes for service users.

This module delves into a comprehensive array of key concepts essential to social work practice, including self-determination, strengths-based working, and their profound impacts on various service user groups. Learners will explore critical issues and areas of concern such as domestic abuse, substance misuse, poverty, homelessness, and mental health challenges. By examining these topics, learners will gain a nuanced understanding of how these issues intersect and affect individuals and communities.

A significant focus of the module is on developing the ability to evaluate and critically analyse contemporary societal issues. This skill is fundamental to the core task of social work, enabling practitioners to respond effectively to the evolving needs of service users. Through a combination of theoretical learning and practical application, learners will be equipped to address complex social problems with empathy, ethical consideration, and evidence-based strategies. The module also emphasizes the importance of reflective practice and continuous professional development. By engaging with current research, policy developments, and case studies, learners will enhance their capacity to advocate for and empower those they serve. Ultimately, this module aims to prepare learners to become competent, compassionate, and critically minded social workers who can make a positive impact in diverse settings.

This module equips learners with essential legal knowledge and decision-making skills necessary for effective practice. It focuses on understanding and applying legal and policy frameworks, evaluating the scope and limitations of legal knowledge, and using legal arguments to support the rights of individuals. Learners will gain a comprehensive understanding of the legal and policy frameworks that guide social work practice, ensuring they can deliver services ethically and effectively. The module also emphasizes the importance of assessing the breadth and constraints of legal knowledge within the context of social work, helping learners recognize the complexities and challenges involved. Additionally, the module develops learners’ ability to critically evaluate legal arguments, enhancing their advocacy skills to support and uphold the rights of individuals. By the end of the module, learners will be well-prepared to navigate the legal aspects of social work with confidence, making informed and justifiable decisions in their professional practice.

1) The first part of this 30-credit module will introduce learners to relevant research methodologies. Learners will consider a range of approaches to both primary and secondary research and conversant with tools for supporting this. Learners will enhance their skills in critically examining research methods and will develop their learning to promote research mindedness. Learners will be encouraged to work with a range of research material and to develop their knowledge of the role of evidence informed research in current social work practice. Learners will gain knowledge about how to apply ethical principles in evaluating research.

2) The second part of this module will focus on learners writing for publication. Learners will be introduced to methods of developing their academic writing skills, evidencing their ability to use a coherent and effective approach that demonstrates scholarly and professional development. To produce final work (suitable for publication) that reflects a sound methodological and ethical basis and is suitable for the target audience.