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Session: 2022/23

Last modified: 12/10/2022 14:32:51

Title of Module: Direct Practice Placement A PG

Code: SWPG11008 SCQF Level: 11
(Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework)
Credit Points: 40 ECTS: 20
(European Credit Transfer Scheme)
School:School of Education & Social Sciences
Module Co-ordinator:S  Grant

Summary of Module

This module represents the first assessed practice learning opportunity for the postgraduate qualifying award in social work. Students are required to demonstrate that they are competent regarding the entire social work process. 
The placement will be of a duration period of 85 days. Students will work under the supervision of a practice teacher, or a person undertaking training as a practice teacher who will be supervised by a practice assessor. The practice teacher, personal tutor, and any link worker will constitute the learning team.


Module Delivery Method
Face-To-FaceBlendedFully OnlineHybridCHybridOWork-based Learning
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Face-To-Face
Term used to describe the traditional classroom environment where the students and the lecturer meet synchronously in the same room for the whole provision.

Blended
A mode of delivery of a module or a programme that involves online and face-to-face delivery of learning, teaching and assessment activities, student support and feedback. A programme may be considered “blended” if it includes a combination of face-to-face, online and blended modules. If an online programme has any compulsory face-to-face and campus elements it must be described as blended with clearly articulated delivery information to manage student expectations

Fully Online
Instruction that is solely delivered by web-based or internet-based technologies. This term is used to describe the previously used terms distance learning and e learning.

HybridC
Online with mandatory face-to-face learning on Campus

HybridO
Online with optional face-to-face learning on Campus

Work-based Learning
Learning activities where the main location for the learning experience is in the workplace.


Campus(es) for Module Delivery
The module will normally be offered on the following campuses / or by Distance/Online Learning: (Provided viable student numbers permit)
Paisley:Ayr:Dumfries:Lanarkshire:London:Distance/Online Learning:Other:
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Term(s) for Module Delivery
(Provided viable student numbers permit).
Term 1

 

Term 2check markTerm 3

 

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Learning Outcomes: (maximum of 5 statements)

On successful completion of this module the student will be able to:

L1. Demonstrate developing professional competence in social work practice by meeting all of practice standards contained in the Standards of Social Work Education published by the Scottish Social Services Council of August 2019.

L2. Demonstrate developing professional and academic competence in social work practice through the critical application of theory, research and ethics to social work practice.

L3. Demonstrate an understanding of social work processes.

L4. Produce work in accordance with academic and professional conventions.

Employability Skills and Personal Development Planning (PDP) Skills
SCQF Headings During completion of this module, there will be an opportunity to achieve core skills in:
Knowledge and Understanding (K and U) SCQF Level 11.

Students will be required to develop a critical understanding of social work knowledge, theory and practice.
Students will be required to critically reflect upon the ethical dilemmas that they are likely to encounter in practice, together with the range of theoretical and practical approaches available from which to base particular assessments, interventions and evaluation.

Students will be required to demonstrate a generic understanding of social work practice.

Students will be required to demonstrate a knowledge of and ability to apply research findings in order to promote evidence-based practice.

Practice: Applied Knowledge and Understanding SCQF Level 11.

Students will be required to develop a comprehensive range of social work skills in order to facilitate effective and ethical practice.

Students will be required to undertake a comprehensive practice study, which will require reflection and critical analysis on the part of the student regarding their ability to work in accordance with the social work process.

Students will be required to demonstrate the application of a range of theories to inform their understanding of people, their situations and their own practice.

Generic Cognitive skills SCQF Level 11.

Students will be required to demonstrate the ability to purposefully engage in reflection and critical analysis using a range of tools to apply their learning to practice.

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills SCQF Level 11.

Students will be expected to demonstrate communication and interpersonal skills in their practice with a range of service users and with colleagues and other professionals.

Students will be required to draw upon a range of ICT skills including accessing electronic databases to search for and retrieve relevant research.

Students will be required to use appropriate computer software to produce their written submissions to a professional standard.

Autonomy, Accountability and Working with others SCQF Level 11.

Students will be required to demonstrate the ability to use their initiative in making judgments in complex and challenging situations, while also making appropriate use of available resources such as supervision both formal and informal.

Students will be required to demonstrate a clear understanding of their role and purpose within their particular practice learning setting and relate this to the broader aims and purpose of social work practice.

Students will demonstrate that they have been able to effectively assess, intervene and then evaluate their work with service users in order to promote effective processes of change based on the assessment of need, rights, strengths and risk.

Students will need to show an awareness of an ability to work within complex ethical dilemmas, whilst at all times working in accordance with the Code of Practice of the Scottish Social Services Council.

Pre-requisites: Before undertaking this module the student should have undertaken the following:
Module Code:
Module Title:
Other:SWPG 11001 Applied Law for Social Work Practice SWPG 11005 Social Work Values, Theories and Ethics in Practice SWPG 11006 Learning and Applying Lessons from Service Failures
Co-requisitesModule Code:
Module Title:

* Indicates that module descriptor is not published.

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Learning and Teaching
Each student will be allocated a practice teacher, who will typically be qualified social worker who is trained in the education and support of students. Practice teachers have a remit of ensuring that students receive regular supervision, support, guidance, and instruction in relevant practice related and theoretical concepts. Practice teachers also have a particular responsibility to assist students to develop the ability to critically reflect upon and analyse their practice.

The modules that students complete prior to undertaking this placement are intended to directly support students in successfully completing this module. The content of this module is intended to promote personal and professional development. During this module students will receive on-going support from UWS staff to acquire and develop an appropriate range of personal, professional and academic competencies to equip them for professional practice.
Learning Activities
During completion of this module, the learning activities undertaken to achieve the module learning outcomes are stated below:
Student Learning Hours
(Normally totalling 200 hours):
(Note: Learning hours include both contact hours and hours spent on other learning activities)
Practice Based Learning595
Tutorial/Synchronous Support Activity5
600 Hours Total

**Indicative Resources: (eg. Core text, journals, internet access)

The following materials form essential underpinning for the module content and ultimately for the learning outcomes:

Lishman, J (Ed) (2015) Handbook for Practice Learning in Social Work and Social Care. Knowledge and Theory, 3rd Ed, London, Jessica Kingsley.

Lomax, R, and Jones, K. (2014). Surviving your social work placement. Palgrave Macmillan.

Milner J. Myers, S. & O’Byrne.(2015) Assessment in Social Work. 4th Edition. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan.

Payne, M. (2020) How to Use Social Work Theory in Practice and Essential Guide. Policy Press.

(**N.B. Although reading lists should include current publications, students are advised (particularly for material marked with an asterisk*) to wait until the start of session for confirmation of the most up-to-date material)

Engagement Requirements

In line with the Academic Engagement Procedure, Students are defined as academically engaged if they are regularly engaged with timetabled teaching sessions, course-related learning resources including those in the Library and on the relevant learning platform, and complete assessments and submit these on time. Please refer to the Academic Engagement Procedure at the following link: Academic engagement procedure

Where a module has Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body requirements these will be listed here:
In line with the Academic Engagement and Attendance Procedure, Students are defined as academically engaged if they are regularly engaged with timetabled sessions (whether online or in-person); course-related learning resources including those accessed via the LEP/VLE and if they complete assessments and submit these on time. The total number of placement days must be completed in full.

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Supplemental Information

Programme BoardPsychology & Social Work
Assessment Results (Pass/Fail) No
Subject PanelPsychology & Social Work
ModeratorM Godfrey
External ExaminerS.Lucas
Accreditation Details
Version Number

1.01

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Assessment: (also refer to Assessment Outcomes Grids below)
Summative assessment 1 is based upon the student’s presentation of consistent evidence to their practice teacher that they have met all of the Standards in Social Work Education at an appropriate level for a first placement.

The outcome is determined by the Practice Teacher and is a designated as Pass / Fail with no marks awarded. To pass this module, students must pass this assessment.
Summative assessment 2 makes up 100% of the overall module mark and consists of a critically reflective practice study in which students are required to demonstrate professional competence in social work practice at level 11. The practice study will need to demonstrate that the student’s practice is being appropriately underpinned by relevant theory, research, ethical / anti-oppressive practice and self-awareness are informing practice throughout the length of the social work process.
(N.B. (i) Assessment Outcomes Grids for the module (one for each component) can be found below which clearly demonstrate how the learning outcomes of the module will be assessed.
(ii) An indicative schedule listing approximate times within the academic calendar when assessment is likely to feature will be provided within the Student Handbook.)

Assessment Outcome Grids (Footnote A.)

Component 1
Assessment Type (Footnote B.) Learning Outcome (1) Learning Outcome (2) Learning Outcome (3) Learning Outcome (4) Weighting (%) of Assessment ElementTimetabled Contact Hours
Clinical/ Fieldwork/ Practical skills assessment/ Debate/ Interview/ Viva voce/ Oralcheck mark   00

Component 2
Assessment Type (Footnote B.) Learning Outcome (1) Learning Outcome (2) Learning Outcome (3) Learning Outcome (4) Weighting (%) of Assessment ElementTimetabled Contact Hours
Essay check markcheck markcheck mark1000
Combined Total For All Components100% 0 hours

Footnotes
A. Referred to within Assessment Section above
B. Identified in the Learning Outcome Section above

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Note(s):
  1. More than one assessment method can be used to assess individual learning outcomes.
  2. Schools are responsible for determining student contact hours. Please refer to University Policy on contact hours (extract contained within section 10 of the Module Descriptor guidance note).
    This will normally be variable across Schools, dependent on Programmes &/or Professional requirements.

Equality and Diversity
Aligned with the overall commitment to equality and diversity, the module supports equality of opportunity for students from all backgrounds and with different learning needs. Learning materials will be presented electronically in formats that allow flexible access and manipulation of content. The module complies with University regulations and guidance on inclusive learning and teaching practice. Specialist assistive equipment, support provision and adjustment to assessment practice will be made in accordance with UWS policy and regulations. The University’s Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Policy can be accessed at the following link: http://www.uws.ac.uk/equality/
Our partners are fully committed to the principles and practice of inclusiveness and our modules are designed to be accessible to all. Where this module is delivered overseas, local equivalent support for students and appropriate legislation applies.
(N.B. Every effort will be made by the University to accommodate any equality and diversity issues brought to the attention of the School).

UWS Equality and Diversity Policy
(N.B. Every effort will be made by the University to accommodate any equality and diversity issues brought to the attention of the School)

2014 University of the West of Scotland

University of the West of Scotland is a Registered Scottish Charity.

Charity number SC002520.