SW1S041 - Communication Skills in Social Work 01 Sep 2020 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 3

Associated Module Information

Module Code: SW1S041
Module Title: Communication Skills in Social Work
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Integrated Health, Social Care and Post Registration Nursing
Faculty Sub Group: Sports Coaching
Module Leader: Michelle Culwick
Module Team: , Linda Jones, Katie Neil-Taylor, Owain Jones, Carrie Needs, Mark Richardson
First Intended Intake: SEP 2015 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100503 - social work
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 3
Valid From 01 Sep 2020
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

• Introduce students to communication skills in social work practice
• Enable students to understand communication theories and the importance of having meaningful and appropriate conversations based on the notion of an outcome focused approach and strengths based perspective.
• Raise students’ awareness of meeting the needs of individuals, carers, families whose first language is not English. This will include the Welsh language and cultures and its importance in relation to communication, empowerment and person centred practice.

Content Summary

• Communication and the skills used within social work practice.
• Communication theories relevant to social work practice
• Building effective and reciprocal relationships with individuals, carers, families and young people.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 42
Seminar 6
Independent Study 92
Directed Study 50
Formative Assessment - Independent 10
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Demonstrate the ability to apply the knowledge and skills to build a social work relationship with individuals and families in line with the ‘What Matters Conversation’ and how this feeds into the assessment process and the ethos of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.
LO2 Develop an understanding of knowledge and skills, and theories of communication and their application to practice in accordance with co-production and the individual’s well-being.
LO3 Demonstrate an understanding of language, empowerment and inclusion.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Written Assignment (CW) Self Reflective Assessment (CW) 1 A reflective account on the knowledge and skills of communication used with individuals and families, within the Welsh context, during the twenty day placement. 0 3000 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2 LO3
Self Reflective Assessment (CW) 1

Reading List

Hasson, Gill. (2012) Brilliant Communication Skills. Great Britain: Pearson Education.

Koprowska, J. (2014) Communication & interpersonal skills in social work
4th edition. Los Angeles: SAGE/Learning Matters 2014.

Gast, L., Bailey, M. & Wonnacott, J. (2014) Mastering communication in social work: from understanding to doing. London, England; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Jessica Kingsley Publishers 2014.

Moss, B. (2015) Communication skills for health and social care. Los Angeles, Sage

Ruch, G., Turney, D., & Ward, A. (2017). Relationship based social work: Getting to the heart of practice. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers

White, S. & Featherstone, B. (2005) Communicating misunderstandings: multi-agency work as social practice. Child & Family Social Work. Aug2005, Vol. 10 Issue 3, p207-216. 10p.

Walker, J. (2008) Communication and social work from an attachment perspective. Journal of Social Work Practice, 22:1, 5-13, DOI:10.1080/02650530701872231

Healey, K. (2012) Social work methods and skills: the essential foundations of practice. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire; New York: Palgrave Macmillan 2012.

Woodcock-Ross, J. (2011) Specialist communication skills for social workers: focusing on service users' needs. New York: Palgrave Macmillan 2011.

Thompson, N. (2011) Effective communication: a guide for the people professions 2nd ed. New York Palgrave Macmillan.