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SWK-10040 - Module Specification
School of Medicine
Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences

For academic year: 2022/23 Last Updated: 19 January 2023

SWK-10040 - Introduction to Professional Learning and Development
Coordinator: Cath Holmstrom Room: N/A
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 4
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 733928

Programme/Approved Electives for 2022/23

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

NONE

Barred Combinations

NONE

Description for 2022/23

This module develops students' knowledge of the key processes that are required to undertake social work practice when working with those who use social work services. This includes assessment, care planning, communication skills, review and anti-oppressive practice, all in the context of multidisciplinary working in social work, it also incorporates the initial sequence of professional skills development workshops.

Aims
This module serves two key purposes. Firstly the module serves to support students to develop an initial understanding of the key elements of social work processes, and to develop their readiness for practice through the development of core skills. Secondly, the module support students in their academic journeys through a series of higher education and professional education learning skills development opportunities.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/swk-10040/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

discuss the nature of the social work processes in a range of social work contexts, and identify their value for social work practice: 1,2
demonstrate evidence of satisfactory standard of academic skills such as referencing, academic writing and use of a range of sources, appropriate to the first year of an undergraduate degree: 1,3
demonstrate knowledge of a range of communication skills and show awareness of their centrality to, and impact upon, social work practice: 1,4
discuss the importance of social location for service users and carers, with particular regard to cultural diversity and contexts, and consequently its relevance to social work practice: 1
explore the importance of multi-agency working in assessment processes and intervention: 1
apply a range of social work skills in a classroom context, alongside people with lived experience of social work, social workers and tutors: 2
reflect upon, and respond to, feedback from a range of sources in order to plan for future development needs: 3,4

Study hours

Scheduled lectures: 48 hours
Scheduled skills Workshops with service users/practitioners and tutors: 36 hours
Additional tutor-facilitated group work/workshops: 30
Group tutorials (small group): 1.5 hours per month = 8 hours
Shadowing social workers in practice or online equivalent if circumstances prevent students engaging in external visits: 21 hours
Independent study: preparation for workshops and wider reading (77hours)
Independent study: preparing assignments (80 hours)

School Rules

Required number of skills days to be attended in line with PSRB requirements. The number included within this module is proposed as 15 from the total of 30 required. Any sessions missed will need to be made up in relation to skills-related learning and demonstration of skills by arrangement with the module lead.

Description of Module Assessment

1: Assignment weighted 25%
1,500-word case study analysis
1,500 word case study where the student applies social work processes (assessment, care planning etc) to a service-user context (case study) involving multidisciplinary working.

2: Workbook weighted 25%
Record of observational and skills learning (1000 words)
Students will complete a structured workbook associated with their observational learning tasks (formerly known as 'shadowing') and in relation to their professional skills development work in taught skills session.

3: Professional Development weighted 25%
Reflective self-assessment and professional development plan (1000 words)
This assessment will require students to complete a reflective task drawing upon feedback in relation to professional and academic skills provided throughout the module. This task will demonstrate their ability to respond constructively to feedback and to begin to plan their future developmental needs and goals in line with professional and regulatory standards and expectations.

4: Presentation weighted 25%
10 min Individual presentation demonstrating readiness for direct practice
A 10 minute presentation from the student reflecting on their learning from across both semester 1 and semester 2 followed by 5 minutes of questions. Reflections will focus upon those areas core to readiness for direct practice/pre-placement level such as attendance, motivation for social work, reflective ability, verbal communication skills, development of awareness of social work contexts. Assessment will take the form of a panel made up by a Person with Lived Experience of Social Work, and/or a social work practitioner, chaired by a member of the academic teaching team.

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 19 January 2023