Social Work with Children and Families

Overview

MODULE OBJECTIVES

The module will introduce students to social work with children and families. The three main areas of child care social work; family support, child protection and looked after children will be described and subjected to analysis and critique. Students will also be encouraged to explore the ethical dimensions of practice and relate all aspects of professional practice to the research base as well as to the social policy and legal contexts. Seminars will offer students the opportunity to integrate the dimensions of knowledge, skills and values and examine models of intervention as a basis for acquiring the range of skills necessary for work with children and families.

Learning Objectives

Successful completion of this module will enable students to have sufficient knowledge and understanding to undertake a practice placement or take up employment in the area of child and family social work. Students will have:

a)an understanding of the historical development of work in this area, together with an appreciation as to how values influence practice

b)an appreciation as to how policy and legislation influence practice

c)an understanding of social work practice in relation to child protection

d)an understanding of social work practice in relation to family support

e)an understanding of social work practice in relation to looked after children

f) ability to critically examine aspects of contemporary practice and decision making in relation to social work practice with children and families.

Skills

Students should:
Be able to critically analyse and evaluate current understandings of social work practice
Be able to source and use research as a basis for developing understandings of practice and in making decisions
Be able to utilise a range of skill based models of intervention in practice.

Assessment

None