| Unit name | Theories and Interventions in Social Work |
|---|---|
| Unit code | SPOLM0082 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
| Unit director | Dr. Mim Cartwright |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School for Policy Studies |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
The Unit introduces you to the key theories and methods of intervention you will use in future social work practice. The content of this Unit draws from research and theories primarily in psychology and sociology. It will critically consider the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social growth of people across the life course with attention paid to the cultural contexts of development and the diversity of individuals. Alongside an introduction to a range of interventions used in social work practice to address problems facing particular populations, you will learn about and critically evaluate your theoretical underpinnings and evidence-base.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This Unit will prepare you for social work placements by giving you knowledge about theories and methods that you will apply in future practice. You will apply the knowledge and skills gained in the Unit to a case and write an essay that outlines how social workers use theory and research to underpin assessments of need and interventions in their practice.
An overview of content
You will be introduced to a range of psychological and sociological theories relating to human growth across the life course, which you can use to assess the wellbeing of people who use social work services. You will learn about traditional theories of cognitive, emotional, social, and personality development. You will also be introduced to trauma-informed approaches, including Adverse Childhood Experiences and developments from neuroscience. You will also consider how a person’s environment, including issues of inequality, can impact on wellbeing. You will be introduced to a range of interventions that you can use in future social work practice; these may include Motivational Interviewing, Person Centred Practice and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. You will be encouraged to think critically about the evidence base for interventions and how they would select and justify the most appropriate method when planning interventions in practice.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
The Unit aims to provide you with knowledge of social science theory and research. You can use this to support your critical analysis of need across the life course and to apply evidence-based interventions in practice.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
The unit will consist of a mix of seminars, lectures and guided independent activities. These activities combine teacher delivery, asynchronous activities such as narrated slides and other teaching materials, discussion, group work and independent activities including structured reading and engaging with audio/visual resources. You will engage in workshops to develop your skills in carrying out interventions in practice.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks:
You will be provided with verbal formative feedback within the group exercises in every taught session/seminar, through the office hour or through a discussion thread on Blackboard.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark:
Recorded presentation (20%, 10 minutes maximum, must pass)
A recorded presentation describing the use theories of human growth across the life course to analyse the needs of a child or adult. This presentation covers Learning Outcomes 1 and 4. This is a regulatory requirement for students to demonstrate ‘readiness for direct practice’.
Case Study (80%, 3000 word maximum).
The case study covers all Learning Outcomes.
When assessment does not go to plan:
Subject to the university regulations for taught programmes, and the regulatory requirements of Social Work England, you may be offered an opportunity for reassessment in the failed element(s). If you are eligible to resubmit and where appropriate, you may submit a revised version of your previous assignment or complete an alternative assessment in the same format as the original assessment.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. SPOLM0082).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
