Contemporary social work practice
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The module helps you to understand the application of social work knowledge to practice, addressing key roles and standards for social workers and relevant knowledge, values and skills for social work. The module includes a practice learning opportunity which meets the individual regulatory practice requirements, in terms of the number of days, for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The practice learning opportunity will be under the supervision of a practice assessor appointed by your sponsoring agency.
What you will study
Following an introductory topic, the module is structured into four blocks of study:
Block 1: The first block includes three topics related to putting knowledge into practice and social work ethics and values.
Block 2: This covers focussing on group works, interprofessional working, care environment and working with communities. Writing in social work practice is also included in this block.
Block 3: This block is dedicated to children and families social work.
Block 4: The final block is all about working with people in the community and strengthening networks.
The study materials provide you with case examples and illustrations of social work practice (using audio and video); original discussion of key social work concepts and theoretical debates; and reprinted articles introducing important theoretical and ethical issues. Activities in the learning materials help you to apply your learning to your current social work practice.
You will learn
This module will enable you to:
- make relevant application of the UK nation-specific standards in social work laid down by the regulatory bodies for the profession
- apply underpinning knowledge – including theories and methods for practice – relevant to social work
- apply the four components of good practice: knowledge; values and ethics; skills; and social work process
- learn from the expectations and needs of individuals, families, carers, groups, and communities who use services
- learn from other resource materials in the social work degree programme, so that you can meet the learning requirements appropriate to this stage of the degree.
The module also helps you to build on your skills in information and digital literacy, based upon the requirements of the regulatory bodies for the profession.
Entry requirements
To study this module you must:
- be registered for the relevant degree in social work for your nation
- be sponsored by your employing agency
- be working in a practice context
- have passed all of the modules for Stage 1 of the BA (Hons) Social Work (England) or Stage 2 for the BA (Hons) Social Work (Scotland)
If you are in Scotland, you must also be registered as a social work student with the regulatory body.
The sponsoring agency will provide you with appropriate practice learning opportunities and allow you one day a week study time for 120 credits study each year while you are on the programme. There will be a pro-rata reduction in the entitlement of study time allowed if you are studying less than 120 credits per year. Sponsoring agencies can contact us for further information.
You will need to spend between seven and ten hours a week studying, in addition to having access to a practice learning opportunity organised by your sponsoring agency: 70 days in England, 85 days in Northern Ireland, 90 days in Wales and 100 days in Scotland.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
What's included
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
- a week-by-week study planner
- course specific study material
- audio and video content
- assessment details
- access to online tutorials and study forums
- access to teaching and library resources.
Computing requirements
You’ll need broadband internet access and a desktop or laptop computer with an up-to-date version of Windows (10 or 11) or macOS Ventura or higher.
Any additional software will be provided or is generally freely available.
To join in spoken conversations in tutorials, we recommend a wired headset (headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone).
Our module websites comply with web standards, and any modern browser is suitable for most activities.
Our OU Study mobile app will operate on all current, supported versions of Android and iOS. It’s not available on Kindle.
It’s also possible to access some module materials on a mobile phone, tablet device or Chromebook. However, as you may be asked to install additional software or use certain applications, you’ll also require a desktop or laptop, as described above.