School of Health & Social Care

Module Guide Module Code: FDS1058-N Module Title: Social Work Support: Foundations of Practice (Year 1) Academic Level: 4 Credits: 60 Module Leader: Phil Watson

Module Guide Updated – February 2015

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Welcome by Module Leader Welcome to the Foundations of Practice module. The module is an integral part of the Certificate in Higher Education: Social Work Support programme. This module is designed to meet the needs of people who work in social work support roles and who are helping, protecting and advising service users in a range of settings. The module is designed to develop the knowledge and skills of students so as to enhance the quality of their work. The module will enable students to demonstrate that they are becoming self -directed learners and show how they are able to integrate theory to practice and practice to theory. The module will examine appropriate attitudes, values, principles and perspectives, legislation, policies and codes of practice relevant to their work. Students will also explore ways in which their specific work/practice is influenced by a range of developments and drivers. Students will identify and explore the existing skills and knowledge they have and which are relevant to their role and identify areas for further development. Students will be supported in identifying specific areas for their own personal and professional development. Students will require the support of an experienced member of their team, normally a qualified social worker, who will help to guide and support their learning throughout the duration of the programme. This person will act as their Practice Guide. The Practice Guide will play an important role in enabling the student to develop a Learning Contract. This acts as a tool in enabling the student to achieve all of the module learning outcomes. Module Leader Philip Watson Philip.Watson@tees.ac.uk (Tel: 01642 384917) Centuria Building Room 2.15 Module Team Contact Details Philip Watson Philip.Watson@tees.ac.uk (Tel: 01642 384917) Centuria Building Room H2.15 Caroline Kelly C.Kelly@tees.ac.uk ( Tel: 01642 384182 ) Centuria Building Room H2.15

Charlotte Chisnell C.Chisnell@tees.ac.uk ( Tel: 01642 3844141)Centuria Building Room H2.15

Mary Van Loo M.vanloo@tees.ac.uk (Tel: 01642 384932) Centuria Room H0.24 John Waine J.Waine@tees.ac.uk ( Tel: 01642 3844531)

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Module Aims Every module has a set of aims and these are the aims of this module; The module aims to enable you the student to: 1. Develop your practice and understanding of your work role by engaging in reflective, evidence based approaches to your practice, making links between theory to practice and practice to theory. 2. Locate your work and practice contextually, developing an awareness of forces and drivers that influence and impact upon social work in your setting and how these influence your own work. 3. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of concepts, values, principles and capabilities that underpin social work and your own role and practice. Module Learning Outcomes In order to achieve the aims of a module, students are required to achieve the Module Learning Outcomes. Here are the module outcomes for the Foundations of Practice module; Knowledge and Understanding

1. You will describe, explain and use relevant frameworks, theory and concepts that relate to social work, to your area of practice and that underpin care and support for service users

2. You will describe, explain and use legal, ethical and professional principles

relating to social work and social care

3. You will describe, explain and use legislation and policies relating to social work and social care

4. You will identify and explain barriers or potential barriers to practice development and strategies to challenge and/or overcome them

5. You will describe and discuss strategies available to promote the rights of service users and to promote their well-being

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Cognitive and Intellectual Skills

1. You will systematically gather, record and describe data/ evidence from a range of sources to support a change in personal, professional and/or skills development

2. You will recognise the provisional and changing nature of knowledge related

to the protection of vulnerable people and the safety of self and others

3. You will recognise key areas of development in their practice and/or work setting based on evidence based research

4. You will apply tools/ methods accurately and carefully to inform needs-based

assessment and client support requirements and begin to appreciate the complexities of associated issues

5. You will demonstrate the application of specific skills and knowledge that

underpin service provision and partnership working Practical and Professional Skills

1. You will participate within a social work/multi-disciplinary team to provide an effective assessment and plan the support service users require

2. You will participate, under supervision, in the implementation, review and

evaluation of planned support for a service user/carer

3. You will demonstrate a positive and collaborative approach to learning in practice

4. You can describe, explain and utilize appropriate and effective communication

skills when working with service users, staff and others and show you can demonstrate a compassionate, person-centred approach

5. You will demonstrate anti-discriminatory practice and demonstrate anti-

discriminatory ways of working that contribute to the health and well- being of individuals, groups and individuals, groups and communities and the challenging of inequalities

6. You can apply legal, professional, ethical attitudes and behaviours related to

the working environment and demonstrate the application of local and national policies and guidelines

7. You will utilize appropriate tools and techniques available to address

challenges in personal, professional and skills development

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8. You will demonstrate the capacity to review, monitor and reflect on personal progress within the work/practice setting

9. You will recognize the limits and boundaries to your scope of practice whilst

appreciating the difference you can make within your own role and practice

Key Transferable Skills

1. You will identify, articulate and provide evidence of own learning needs

2. You will develop and implement a personal development plan to improve own learning

3. You will Identify and use writing skills appropriate to practice and level of

study

4. You will communicate appropriately in speech and group discussions and in written communication

5. You will engage in team activities to enhance a co-operative approach to

learning and working

6. You will reflect upon learning and practice

7. You will use basic IT tools appropriate to practice

8. You will produce a well- organised and clearly presented portfolio

Module Timetable Sessions will be held at the Darlington site of Teesside University unless otherwise informed. Dates are as follows. Support sessions will also be held for Practice Guides.

Sessions (2015-16)

Feb/March 2015

Introduction to the Module

Module Learning Outcomes and Portfolio Requirements

Consent and Confidentiality

SWOT Analysis

Learning Contract and Role of Worker and Practice Guide

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Personal and Professional Profile

April 2015

What is social work?

Ethics and Values and Social Work

Ethical Principles and Perspectives

Portfolio Development

May 2015

Reflection and Reflective Writing/Models of Reflection Reflecting on contemporary issues in Social Work and Social Care

Portfolio Development

June 2015

Introduction to Social Work Theory (Part 1)

Theories that inform social work

Social Work Theory and Implications for Practice

Portfolio Development

October 2015

Introduction to Social Work Theory (Part Two)

Group Work – Applying Theory to Practice

November 2015

Group Presentations – Social Work Theory

Portfolio Development

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December 2015

Current Issues in Social Work and Social Care

Forces and Drivers of Change and Responses from Practice

January 2016

Professionalism and Social Work

Professional Capabilities

February 2016

Service User and Carer Perspectives on Practice

Learning and Teaching Strategies Over the course of the academic year timetabled monthly sessions will introduce you to some of the key areas of the module. Sessions will be held at the Darlington campus. The learning strategy for this module centres on encouraging you the student to gain and apply knowledge and skills acquired as part of the module to your job role. The module is also about ensuring you are given opportunities to reflect upon your work and in service training so as to develop and advance your individual practice. At the beginning of the programme, you must identify an experienced person in their workplace to act as a Practice Guide. This will ideally be the member of staff with whom you have regular supervision sessions. The Practice Guide will assist you in identifying relevant learning opportunities so that you can gather evidence for your portfolio. This portfolio will be submitted towards the end of your second year. A learning contract will be drawn up early in the module which will act as a guide in enabling the student to meet all learning outcomes. Students will need to be aware of how they can utilize in house training in their practice setting in ways that meet the module learning outcomes. A combination of key lectures, seminars, group work and workshops will be employed in this module to enhance your individual learning. Lectures will be used to introduce new content. Seminars, workshops and group work will be used to enhance shared learning. Students will be expected to undertake preparatory reading and exercises prior to taught sessions and student centred learning will be emphasized throughout the module. Formative feedback will be given to students in seminars/workshops and tutorials and students will be encouraged to speak to the

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module leader if they feel further guidance in terms of meeting learning outcomes. Students will be encouraged to debate and discuss issues and share ideas from their work related learning. Early on in the module, you will also be encouraged to reflect on your work role and practice and consider the wide variety of factors that influence these. The module will stress the importance of applying learning to the workplace and the importance of reflective practice. There will be opportunities for you to reflect on your values and beliefs and insights and experiences from their work role. You will draw upon care studies from practice and reflect on your own role and practice. There will be some sessions that will be delivered by specialist staff and service users (mostly in Year 2) and film clips and wider resources will also be utilized. Students will also be expected to draw upon the training and education department of their setting to access learning opportunities related to module outcomes. You will be expected to engage in a range of learning opportunities in the workplace. These may link directly to your current role or could include activities that enable you to understand wider service provision and approaches in relation to the service user group with which you work. You will work with your Practice Guide to ensure that you are able to gather the evidence that you need. Practice Guides will also be offered support sessions in order that they can become more confident in their roles. There will be formal lectures on some topics and this will especially be the case in the first part of the first year. These will be followed by seminar and group work that allows you to explore further the theoretical concepts under discussion. In most study days, there will be the opportunity to take part in afternoon workshops and/or have tutorials. Sessions will allow you to share your ideas and views with other students from a wide range of health and social care settings. In these formal sessions, it is important that we all ‘play by the rules’ so that everyone can benefit from them. This means • arriving on time (unless that is out of your control) • listening to whoever is speaking • contributing to discussions and debates • letting others contribute • respecting what others are saying Student centred learning will be further emphasized as the module progresses. The building of a portfolio is designed to encourage you to develop self- managing skills and again you will have the support of the module tutor and your practice guide. In addition to this, you are expected to devote about 2 hours a week on average to independent study. You will find this weekly amount varies especially in the run up to the submission of coursework. However each week, student tasks will be specified and you will be expected to complete these. Additionally, you may want to read round a topic or do your own research. Finding time to think and reflect is also important and, of course this can be done anywhere. There will be a range of learning activities and resources for you to explore made available on E@T, you are strongly recommended to engage in this learning as this will support the timetabled sessions. The module tutors will monitor your engagement with the learning and provide further support and advice if this is deemed appropriate.

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To summarise, this module allows you to demonstrate the development of your knowledge and skills within your workplace and to reflect upon the work that you are undertaking. You have the freedom to be able to negotiate practical learning experiences in your workplace to achieve the module outcomes. Please use your creativity and imagination to do this and please talk regularly to the module tutor and your Practice Guide. Assessment Strategy / Assessment Criteria The module will be both formatively and summatively assessed. In Year One, there will be a formative assessment in the form of a reflective Personal and Professional Profile of 1500 words. This will be submitted in May 2014. A summative assessment consisting of a 1000 word assignment (30%) will also be submitted in January 2015. This first year summative assessment will enable students to demonstrate that they have achieved a minimum of three learning outcomes and show an ability to appreciate and reflect upon the importance of theory to practice and practice to theory. In Year 2, the formative assessment will be a 1000 word reflective account and this will be submitted in October 2015. The summative assessment (70%) will be in the form of a portfolio of evidence of not more than 5000 words which will demonstrate the achievement of all learning outcomes. This will be submitted in January 2016. It might help to make a note of the dates when each piece of work needs to be submitted and then to read what will be expected of you in each piece of work. Please note that the module tutor is able to give up to seven days extension but requests for any longer periods have to go through the mitigation process as contained in your Programme Guide. Year 1 1. Formative - Personal and Professional Profile (May 2015) 2. Summative - Account of practice in relation to social theory and theories of social work using (January 2016) Year 2 3. Reflective Account on practice – case study (October 2016) 4. Submission of Portfolio (January 2017)

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Year 1 Formative Assessment The student will be asked to submit a Personal Professional Profile of 1500 words. This is designed to help the student to identify the knowledge and skills that they bring with them to the module and the areas of practice they aim to develop throughout the year. The profile will also provide feedback to the student on their writing and academic skills. Within this profile the student will be able to:

• Identify their existing skills and knowledge and experience • Identify areas for personal and professional development • Use appropriate evidence and examples from their own experience to support

their work • Present a clearly structured and coherent profile • Adhere to the School of Health and Social Care guidelines for presentation

and referencing • Adhere to the School of Health and Social Care policy for confidentiality and

consent This assignment links to the following LO’s- CI1, CI2, CI3, KTS1-8, PP7 Year 1 Summative Assessment The student will be asked to submit a 1000 -1500 word account that is related to practice in which will demonstrate using informed, evidence based approaches and work based and informal learning, a minimum of three learning outcomes. In this piece of work, the students will demonstrate that they have:

• Applied formal and informal work based learning to their role and practice • Identified relevant theory to demonstrate informed evidence based

approaches to work • Achieved at least three learning outcomes • Adhered to the School of Health and Social Care policy for confidentiality and

consent Learning outcomes that can be covered in this assignment - KU 1, 2, 5 and CI2 and CI3.

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Year 2 Year 2 Formative Assessment The student will produce a 1000 word reflective account based upon a piece of work you have undertaken with a service user in which the student will;

• Select an appropriate learning experience for reflection • Describe aspects of care or service provision giving an accurate account of

the key elements of professional practice • Demonstrate the development of self- awareness including the ability to

analyse and learn from feelings • Demonstrate the ability to evaluate values and how they impact upon

behaviour and decision making in the work setting • Describe and explain links between theory and practice • Devise an action plan for learning • Adhere to the School of Health and Social Care guidelines for presentation

and referencing • Adhere to the School of Health and Social Care policy for consent and

confidentiality LO’s covered in this piece of work – KU1, KU2, KU4, KU5, PP3, PP5, KTS 6, PP7 and PP9 Year 2 Summative Assessment The student must submit a Portfolio of evidence. There must be evidence in your portfolio of;

• Identification of their own strengths, weaknesses and learning needs • Essential evidence of their knowledge and skills relevant to their work role • Engagement in the reflective process using a recognized model of reflection • Identification of relevant theory to demonstrate informed approaches to work • Integration of professional, legal and ethical considerations into their practice • Adhere to the School of Health and Social Care guidelines for presentation

and referencing • Adhere to the School of Health and Social Care policy for consent and

confidentiality • Achievement of all learning outcomes

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You will be given a Portfolio Handbook that gives more specific details of the materials needed for your Portfolio and there will be time allocated in class to clarify its requirements. The portfolio will cover all of the remaining learning outcomes. Please note that within your portfolio you are also likely to once again cover some of the learning outcomes covered elsewhere (e.g. KTS 6 where you are reflecting and learning upon practice – we would expect this to be reflected in all work submitted) Academic Support and Guidance The academic tutor for this module is Phil Watson and you will also be allocated a personal tutor as part of the Cert HE programme. Phil will be available after class sessions and during break times and he will be the person leading the afternoon workshops which will give students the opportunity to discuss their work, give formative feedback etc. Evaluation Strategy You will be asked to complete evaluation forms at particular points during the module and student feedback on the programme is very valuable to us. The School of Health & Social Care relies on student feedback as a key method of assuring and enhancing the quality of its learning and teaching. Your feedback is very important and we will invite you to give constructive feedback on your learning experiences both formally and informally at various points in your programme of study, for example by evaluating your experiences. You will also be given feedback from your Programme Team and we expect you to take note of and act upon feedback received. Please note that feedback is not limited to comments on your assessed work, though of course you will receive feedback on this. It also includes feedback on your ongoing progress on the module, as well actions that have been taken as a result of your evaluation of your programme of study. Every module will recommend what is known as indicative resources and I am now going to list some of the books, journals and other resources that will be of help to you in this module. Indicative Resources Adams, R. (2008) Empowerment, Participation and Social Work. 4th ed. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. Adams, R & Dominelli, L. (2009) Critical Practice in Social Work. 2nd ed Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.

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Adams, Dominelli & Payne (2009) Social Work Themes, Issues and Critical Debates. 3rd ed. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. Banks, S. (2006) Ethics and Values in Social Work. 3rd ed. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. Coulshed, V & Orme, J. (2006) Social Work Practice. 4th ed. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. Dominelli, L. (2008) Anti- Racist Social Work. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. Jasper, M. (2003) Beginning Reflective Practice. Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes. Kemshall, H & Littlechild (2000) User Involvement and Participation in Social Care. London: Jessica Kingsley. Lishman, J. (2009) Communication in Social Work. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. Nicolson, Brayne, Owens (2006) Applied Psychology for Social Workers. Exeter: Learning Matters. Oko, J. (2008) Understanding and Using Theory in Social Work. Exeter: Learning Matters. Payne, M. (2005) Modern Social Work Theory. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. Preston-Shoot, M. (2005) Effective Groupwork. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. Saleebey, D. (2009) The Strengths Perspective in Social Work Practice. 5th ed. Boston: Pearson Thompson, S. & Thompson, N. (2008) The Critically Reflective Practitioner. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan Recommended Adams, R. (2007) Foundations of Health and Social Care. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Adler, R & Rodman, G. (2009) Understanding Human Communication. 10th ed. Milton Keynes: Open University Press. Aslop, A & Ryan, S. (2000) Making the Most of Fieldwork Education. A Practical Approach. London: Chapman and Hall. Barber, J. (2002) Social Work With Addictions. 2nd ed. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.

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Burton, G & Dimbleby, R . (2006) Between Ourselves: An Introduction to interpersonal Communication. 3rd ed. London: Arnold. Goodman, A. (2009) Social Work with Drug and Substance Misusers. Exeter: Learning Matters Hendrick, J (2004) Law and Ethics. Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes Johns, C. (2009) Becoming a Reflective Practitioner. 3rd ed Oxford: Blackwell Science. Johnson, D. and Johnson, F. ( 2009) Joining Together: Group Theory and Group Skills. 10th ed. Boston: Allyn and Bacon. Oliver, M & Sapey, B. (2012) Social Work with Disabled People. 4th ed Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. Pearce, R. (2003) Profiles and Portfolios of Evidence. Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes. Pollard, KC., Thomas, J. & Miers, M. (2010) Understanding Interprofessional Working in Health and Social Care. Basingstoke: Palgrave. Ray, J. (2012) Social Work with Older People. 5th ed. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. Stanton, N. (2009) Mastering Communication. 5th ed. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. Thompson, N. (2006) Anti-Discriminatory Practice. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan Thompson, N. (2009) People Skills. 3rd ed. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan Tilbury, D. (2002) Working with Mental Illness – a Community Based Approach. 2nd ed. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan Recommended Journals British Journal of Social Work http: www.basw.co.uk/resources/journals Community Care Journal http: www.communitycare.co.uk Practice: Social Work in Action http: www.basw.co.uk/resources/journals

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Recommended Electronic Resources Skills for Care http://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/ Health Professions Council http://www.hpc - uk.org General Social Care Council http://www.gscc.org.uk National Service Frameworks http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland /NSF/Pages/ National service frameworks.aspx Patient Voices http://www.patientvoices.org.uk Study Skills Handbook – companion website www.skills4study.com Television As well as keeping an eye on news items and documentaries on mainstream TV stations that deal with social care and social work issues, you may find social care TV to be helpful and this can be accessed on www.social - care.tv Newspapers Whilst newspaper sales decline, quality newspapers are a good source of information and remain a good way to keep up to date with new policy developments and issues that are impacting upon our clients and upon social work. I would especially recommend ‘the Guardian’ (especially the Wednesday edition which is devoted to social care) and the ‘Sunday Observer’. Always try to be discerning with newspaper stories and try to think of the underlying motives behind any news item. These two recommended newspapers can also be accessed online www.guardian.co.uk www.observer.guardian.co.uk Blackboard

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By the time you begin this module, you will have been introduced to Blackboard during the ‘Learning to Learn’ module. Every week new materials will be made available for you to read prior to the monthly sessions and it is hoped that you will use the blog facility that has been set up for you to interact with your colleagues. Along with the reading list for this module, new book titles will also be recommended and put on this site.

Final Comments We wish you well with this module and really hope that you enjoy the challenges it presents. Please do ask questions of tutors and feel able to discuss anything related to the module. Most especially, keep us informed if you are unable to attend any of the sessions so that we can make arrangements for you to catch up and do not worry unnecessarily as there is lots of support available. Furthermore, remember that you are already doing a very important role well and this module is designed to allow you to show this as well as to further your knowledge and understanding.

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