SW0742 - Intervening in People's Lives

The teaching and learning on the module is divided into distinct, but related, components. Academic learning is supported by the provision of lectures, group seminars, directed learning, simulation and practical skills sessions. A key purpose of the module teaching and learning strategy is to provide you the opportunity to practice direct social work skills underpinned by an understanding of the contexts in which this action might take place.

The module will therefore incorporate skills-based teaching days which will include focus on a range of skills, for example some different practice approaches (such as tasks centred, group work, systemic practice etc) for use with a range of service-user groups in a variety of contexts. You will also learn about managing self in formal situations (e.g. observations, interview and workplace scenarios, professional meetings etc.) and develop more advanced practice skills in working with people who present particular challenges. Skills-based sessions will provide you with opportunities for formative feedback through self-reflection, peers, invited practitioners and seminar leaders. Where appropriate you will access electronic learning resources.

The module begins with a briefing to explain the context, aims and expectations of the work required for a successful outcome, so that you are clear about the requirements of the module. The provision of formal taught sessions are the key means of offering academic support to you, as well as providing a reflective space for you to explore areas of practice, skills and knowledge. These sessions will support you to recognise and debate the key skills, approaches and attributes expected of students on the programme. You will be encouraged and supported to have the confidence to engage in discussion and constructive critique of your own and others work in a safe environment which will contribute to the development of your summative assessment.

A key purpose of the module teaching and learning strategy is to enable you to have the opportunity to practice social work skills. The module will incorporate skills development days and workshops which will focus on managing self in formal situations and developing more advanced practice skills in working with people who present particular challenges.

Feedback and feedforward to guide future work will be provided through group work sessions throughout the module. These will also support you to generate material, debate ideas and discuss your developing views of key concepts and reflect on your practice helping you identify strengths and areas for development.

General queries about the module will be addressed by the module leader. Contact details for all tutors for this module are available in the module handbook and via the Electronic Learning Portal (eLP). You will have access to lecturers at teaching times, by email, and telephone.

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:
• You will be able to appraise a range of models and methods of assessment and intervention.
• You will understand how to develop a planned and structured approach when engaging with service users by drawing on relevant theories.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• You will be able to analyse and know how to select appropriate interventions in order to assess and address needs.
• You will be able to apply appropriate strategies and use these creatively in order to assess and intervene in a range of different practice scenarios.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• You will understand how to work within professional guidance and codes of practice and be able to use a range of methods to advise, advocate and influence practice, whilst promoting service user empowerment and anti-oppressive practice.

You will be assessed by a 2250 word summative assignment (+/- 10%), comprising a 2000 word written essay and a 250 word appendix. In this assignment you must demonstrate that you have met all module learning outcomes.
Formative feedback will be provided throughout taught and skills-based sessions. Directed learning, seminar activities and skills sessions will encourage peer feedback.

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This module will enable you to understand the social work process, which is essentially assessment and intervention with people and communities. This module explores knowledge and seeks to develop skill to assess and intervene with individuals in context. By building on existing knowledge and exploring the dilemmas inherent in social work practice, you will be able to review and extend your knowledge of relevant theory, research and the evidence that supports your social work practice. This module builds on learning about core communication skills delivered in SW0743 to develop an understanding of how to effect change with a range of service users and practice situations. Lectures and interactive seminar activities and skills-based session will provide you with the opportunity to critically reflect on and analyse your practice as a social work student in preparation for placement. You will be supported to complete the module assessment by engaging with a series of reflective tasks. The application of assessment and intervention models and methods will enable you to acquire relevant underpinning theory and skills and values to promote positive change for service users, families and communities and will allow you opportunity to develop practice and demonstrate implication of relevant professional standards set out by Social Work England.