SW3D031 - Competence in Social Work Practice 01 Sep 2020 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: SW3D031
Module Title: Competence in Social Work Practice
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Integrated Health, Social Care and Post Registration Nursing
Faculty Sub Group: Sports Coaching
Module Leader: Katie Neil-Taylor
Module Team: Michelle Culwick, Bernard Dacey, Owain Jones, Carrie Needs
First Intended Intake: SEP 2020 Final Year of Intake: 2025
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 40 Credit Level: 6
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100503 - social work
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2020
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

• Develop and assess the student’s competence in applying knowledge, skills and values in social work practice
• Integrate theory and practice in the understanding and implementation of assessment and service user/carer provision.

• Enable students to examine their personal values and confront any conflict with the principles and values underpinning social work practice.

• Extend reflective and reflexive skills as a key theme to individual development and effective practice.

• Enable students to develop the capacity for self-directed learning with regard to analysing information in order to assess and plan, intervene, manage risks, provide and critically evaluate a service to social work service users.

Content Summary

• Theoretical knowledge of critical incident analysis
• Emotional resilience - Managing stress and emotions. Emotional intelligence in the workplace
• Working with Resistance
• ‘Use of self’ in social work

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 16
Tutorial 6
Independent Study 132
Placement 230
Directed Study 16
Total Hours Selected 400

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically reflect upon professional identity and technical competence linked to the relevant National Occupation Standards in Social Work and the Code of Professional Practice for Social Care at level 6.
LO2 Evidence an active, purposeful and critical awareness of the requirements to manage risk to individuals, carers, and families, self and others and the ability to communicate effectively and work in partnership with other professionals with differing roles and responsibilities at an advanced level.
LO3 Draw on and critically analyse current research in relation to best practice in social work, including the recognition and management of ethical issues, dilemmas and conflicts.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Self Reflective Assessment 1 Focusing on a particular situation from practice, students will complete a critical incident analysis. The student will record and reflect upon their observations and responses to a practice situation. This will be used to explore and analyse ways of thinking and practicing. It will draw on theory and research to consider risks, and reflect on professional challenges and dilemmas. 0 4000 100 No 40
Synchronous Onsite Assessment Clinical Practice Completion 1 The portfolio is the primary collation of student evidence of practice set against NOS and CoPP (See Practice Learning handbook) 0 N/A 0 No 100

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2 LO3
Self Reflective Assessment 1
Clinical Practice Completion 1

Reading List

Adams, R. Dominelli, L, Payne, M. (2009) Critical Practice in Social Work (2nd. Ed). Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan.

Cottrell S. (2011) Critical Thinking Skills (2nd Ed). Basingstoke Palgrave Macmillan

Davys, A. (2010) Best practice in professional supervision; a guide for the helping professions. London/Philadelphia, Jessica Kingsley (electronic resource)

Dominelli, L. (2018) Anti-Racist. Fourth edition. London: Palgrave Macmillan
Available at Newport Learning Centre Main Shelves (361.32 DOM

Green Lister, P. (2012) Integrating Social Work Theory and Practice. Oxon: Routledge

Gray, M and Webb, S. (2013) Social Work Theories and Methods (2nd Ed). London, Sage Publications

Jones, S. (2009) Critical Learning for Social Work Students. Exeter: Learning Matters

Knott C, Scragg T, (2010) Reflective Practice in Social Work 2nd ed. Exeter, Learning Matters

McCarthy, J and Rose, P (2010) Value-Based Health and Social Care. London: Sage

Rolfe, G, Jasper, M and Freshwater D. (2011) Critical Reflection in Practice (2nd Ed). Basingstoke Palgrave Macmillan

Pullen-Sansfacon A and Cowden S. (2012). The Ethical Foundations of Social Work. Essex: Pearson Education Ltd

Seden J, Matthews, S, McCormick, M and Morgan, A. (2011) Professional Development in Social Work. Oxon: Routledge

Social Care Wales (2017) –Code of Professional Practice for Social Care, Cardiff, Social Care Wales. (available at: https://socialcare.wales/landing-page/code-of-professional-practice-and-guidance/)

Social Care Wales (2017) – Practice Guidance for Social Workers, Cardiff, Social Care Wales (Available at: https://socialcare.wales/cms_assets/file-uploads/The-social-worker-April-2017.pdf).

Taylor, B. (2011) Working with Aggression and Resistance in Social Work. Exeter: Learning Matters

Trevithick, P. (2011) ‘Understanding defences and defensive behaviour in social work’, Journal of Social Work Practice, 25(4): 389-412.

Trevithick, P. (2012) Social Work Skills and Knowledge: A Practice Handbook. 3rd edn. Maidenhead: Open University Press

Trevithick, P. (2016) ‘Use of self in social work: the development of the self, internal working models, and the role of gender’ (forthcoming publication)