SW0515 - Social Work Assessment and Intervention

Teaching and learning strategies for this module will include lectures and seminars to outline the main concepts, trends and theories. The module incorporates skills development days and simulation activities, facilitated by teaching staff, practitioners and service users, which will focus on managing self in formal situations and developing more advanced practice skills in working with people who present particular challenges. Facilitated group discussions will be integral to the module where you will explore key concepts in more depth and draw out individual and collective analysis. There are 35 placement days attached to this module where you will have the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills as developing social work practitioners with service users, carers and other professionals in practice settings. You will be expected to engage with directed independent study tasks, as well as working in informal groups to present your ideas. The module will be summatively assessed by completed practice learning documentation, a presentation and written assignment after the completion of the assessed placement.

Lecturers will facilitate seminar groups to support academic development. You will have access to lecturers at specifically designated times via lectures, seminars and email. Formative and summative assessment tasks include ‘feedforward’ in preparation for assignments, and ‘feedback’ to identify aspects of students’ strengths and also aspects which require development. Your Personal Tutor will also meet with you regularly to provide both academic and pastoral support. Workshops and seminars will provide the opportunity for you to explore assessment and intervention skills.

A key purpose of the module teaching and learning strategy is to enable you to have the opportunity to practise direct social work skills. The module will incorporate skills development days which will focus on managing self in formal situations and developing more advanced practice skills in working with people who present particular challenges. The module (alongside SW0507) involves a practice learning placement. The learning in practice will be supported and assessed by an appointed practice educator in the workplace. Formative assessment will be provided within regular supervision sessions and via an interim placement review. Teaching and learning strategies provided by the practice educator will include direct observation, practical experience, individual supervision, discussion, written work, reading, reflection and directed learning

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk

Knowledge & Understanding:

1. Understand and articulate the social work process in relation to assessment, planning, intervention and review.
2. You will be able to develop and demonstrate a planned and structured approach to building relationships with service users by drawing on relevant theories and approaches.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

3 You will be able to appraise, select and employ a range of appropriate social work interventions in order to address assessed needs.
4. You will be able to creatively use appropriate strategies in order to assess and intervene in a range of different practice scenarios.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

5. You will work within professional guidance and be able to use a range of methods to advise, advocate and influence practice, whilst promoting service user empowerment.

Formative

i. The aim of the formative task is to assist your preparation for the summative assessment and is an opportunity to practice your understanding of intervention skills. The formative task involves skills practice sessions using a case scenario and written reflection. You will receive peer and tutor feedback.
ii. Formative assessment on placement will be provided within regular supervision sessions with a practice educator and via an interim placement review.

Summative

The summative assessment is in three parts and all three must be passed to successfully complete the module.

i. You will produce a 2000-word assignment demonstrating an understanding of the social work process in relation to assessment, planning, intervention and review. (50% of marks)
ii. You will reflect on a practice based issue you encountered on your placements and undertake a 10-15-minute individual presentation where you will explain your rationale for your choice of intervention. (50% of marks)
iii. Fully completed Practice Learning Documentation which evidences your ability to work to the Professional Capabilities Framework at ‘End of First Placement’ level (Marked Pass/Fail by your Practice Educator)

SW0417, SW0418, SW0419, SW0420, SW0421, SW0422

SW0514, SW0516, SW0517, SW0518

Assessment, planning, intervention, and review are core to the social work process. This module will support you to develop knowledge, understanding and skills to intervene to effect change with service users in a range of practice situations. In social work there is not one type of approach that fits all situations, therefore this module will present a range of assessment and intervention theories, knowledge and skills.

This module includes 35 days of practice learning and pre-placement learning will concentrate on introducing you to knowledge and theories in relation to social work interventions and assessment. The placement days attached to this module will offer you the opportunity develop your social work practice with service users, carers and professionals. The application of assessment and intervention models and methods during placement will enable you to acquire relevant underpinning theory and skills to promote positive change.

Following your placement, the module will enable you to reflect on your development of skills for social work practice and to begin preparing for your final assessed placement at Level 6.