Course Catalogue

Public and Allied Health

This module will enable students to analyse and theorise the complexity of social work practice, demonstrate compliance with the Professional Capabilities Framework and the Social Work England Professional Standard and evidence their achievement of the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours Framework.

Outline Syllabus:

• Managing the social workers authority within the ethical and legal frameworks
• Making effective professional decisions in the light of the challenges and tensions inherent in social work practice
• Non-discriminatory practice in a variety of social work practice areas
• Working in a strengths based way and engaging in effective partnership working
• Developing autonomy and maintaining high standards of professional conduct
• Ascertaining and respecting the views of service users, their families and carers
• Safeguarding and safe professional conduct - ensuring the safety of service users, their families and carers

Module Overview:
This module will enable students to evaluate social work practice, its benefits and challenges in the complex and contested world of social work practice

Additional Information:
The module is mapped against the following standards and frameworks:

Professional Standards of Social Work England.

1. Promote the rights, strengths and wellbeing of people, families and communities (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6,1.7)
2. Establish and maintain the trust and confidence of people (2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7)
3. Be accountable for the quality of my practice and the decisions I make (3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 3.11,3.12, 3.13,  3.14, 3.15)
4. Maintain my continuing professional development (4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7,4.8)
5. Act safely, respectfully and with professional integrity (5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.6,)
6. Promote ethical practice and report concerns (6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7)

Apprenticeship Standard.

Knowledge

• Current legal and ethical frameworks.
• The impact of injustice, demography, social inequality, policies and other issues which affect the demand for social work services.
• How to update knowledge to ensure evidence informed practice.
• Models of supervision, critical reflection and self-reflection to enhance/change practice.
• Your employer’s organisational context and systems and the impact on your practice.
• The concept of leadership and its application to practice.
• The requirements of the relevant professional body.
• applicable safeguarding/health and safety legislation, policies and procedures.
• How to maintain your own personal safety and that of others in complex situations.
• Signs of harm, abuse and neglect and the importance of professional curiosity when these are observed and the appropriate risk assessment tools and processes to use.
• The role of the Social Worker and roles of others within safeguarding, appropriate to levels of skills and experience.
• The full range of interpersonal skills required to work with other professionals and agencies.
• The different social and organisational contexts within which social work operates.
• The applicable legislation, policies and procedures.
• The principles of good recording and record keeping.

Skills

• Take responsibility for your decisions and recommendations.
• Be aware of the impact of your own values on practice.
• Exercise authority as a Social Worker within the appropriate legal and ethical frameworks.
• Ensure the highest standard of person centred approach, so that people are treated with dignity and their rights, values and autonomy are respected.
• Practise in a non-discriminatory manner.
• Make and receive referrals appropriately.
• Use social work methods, theories and models to enable individuals to identify actions to achieve change and improve life opportunities.
• Manage and weigh up competing/conflicting values or interests to make reasoned professional judgement.
• Work within scope of practice as an autonomous professional.
• Maintain high standards of personal and professional conduct.
• Manage the physical and emotional impact of your practice.
• Identify and apply strategies to build professional and emotional resilience.
• Use supervision to support and enhance the quality of your practice.
• Maintain your own health and well-being.
• Recognise the need to manage workloads and resources effectively.
• Show an awareness of current and relevant legislation.
• Work in partnership with others.
• Balance appropriate levels of autonomy within a complex system of accountability.
• Respond appropriately to unexpected situations, identify and challenge practices which present a risk to, or from, people you are working with, their carers or others in order to uphold professional requirements.
• Respond appropriately to signs of harm, abuse and neglect.
• Maintain the safety of people you work with, their families/carers and your colleagues.
• Establish and maintain personal and professional boundaries.
• Follow health and safety policies and procedures.
• Communicate in English at the level required by the Social Work England.
• Communicate in a way which is engaging, respectful, motivating and effective, even when dealing with conflict or resistance to change.
• Exercise professional curiosity.
• Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills.
• Engage effectively in inter-professional and inter-agency working to achieve positive outcomes.
• Maintain accurate and complete records in accordance with applicable legislation, protocols and guidelines.
• Prepare formal reports in line with legislation, policies and procedures.
• Present reports in formal settings.
• Use technology to manage your work.
• Use technology to communicate appropriately.
• Maintain individuals’ information security and protect data.
• Advise people on how to use assistive technology.
• Promote the use of technology to achieve better outcomes.

Behaviours

• Communicate openly, honestly and accurately. They listen to people and apply professional curiosity to evaluate and assess what information they need to gather, to provide quality advice, support or care.
• Treat people with compassion, dignity and respect and work together to empower positive change.
• Adapt their approach according to the situation and context.
• Commit to continuous learning within social work, with curiosity and critical reflection.
• Adhere to the Social Work England Standards of Conduct.

Professional Capabilities Framework.

Professionalism

Values and ethics

Diversity and equality

Rights, justice and economic well-being

Knowledge

Critical reflection and analysis

Skills and interventions

Contexts and organisations.

 

Knowledge and Skills Statements.


Knowledge and Skills for Approved Child and Family Practitioners: Relationships and effective direct work; Communication; Abuse and neglect of children; Child and family assessment; Analysis, decision-making, planning and review; The role of supervision.
Knowledge and Skills Statement for Social Workers in Adult Services: Person–centred practice; Safeguarding; Effective assessments and outcome based support planning; Direct work with individuals and families; Supervision, critical reflection and analysis; Organisational context; Professional ethics and leadership.