SOCW09002 2022 Social Work Theory to Practice

Critically analyse the role of the social worker in contemporary practice and articulate key ethical concepts that inform practice. (Domain (Domains 1.1; 1.3; 1.5; 1.6; 1.8; 1.9; 1;10; Domain 2.1; 2.3; 2.4; 2.12; Domain 3.1; 3.2; 3.4; 3.5; 3.6; 3.8; Domain 4.1; 4.3; Domain 5.1; 5.2; 5.3; 5.4; 5.5; 5.6; 5.7; 5.10; 5.12; 5.13; 5.15; 5.16; 5.17; 5.21; 5.22; 5.24; 5.25; 5.26)         

Gain a critical understanding of theories of social work that focus on social and individual levels, and that account for different cultures, the life course, and populations that experience marginalisation, stigma, discrimination and oppression(Domains 1.1; 1.2; 1.3; 1.5; 1.6; 1.8; 1.9; 1.10; 1.20; Domain 2.1; 2.2; 2.3; 2.4; 2.12; 2.14; Domain 3.1; 3.2; 3.6; 3.7; 3.8; 3.9; 3.13; Domain 4.1; 4.4; 4.4; Domain 5.1; 5.2; 5.3; 5.6; 5.7; 5.10; 5.12;5.14; 5.15; 5.16; 5.17; 5.18; 5.21; 5.22; 5.24; 5.25; 5.26; 5.27)

Critically evaluate various social work theories and practice approaches as well as their suitability to different case scenarios. (Domains:  1.3; 1.5; 1.8; 1.9; 1.10; Domain 2.1; 2.2; 2.3; 2.4; 2.9; 2.12; Domain 3.1; 3.2; Domain 2.4; 2.5; 2.6; 2.8; 2.9; Domain 4.4; Domain 5.1; 5.2; 5.3; 5.7; 5.8; 5.10; 5.12; 5.13; 5.14; 5.15; 5.16; 5.17; 5.18; 5.21; 5.22; 5.24; 5.25; 5.26)

Critically analyse theoretical assumptions underpinning community work and identify strategies for facilitating participation in diverse minority and community groups. (Domains: 1.1; 1.3; 1.5; 1.8; 1.9; 1.10; Domain 2.2; 2.3; 2.4; 2.5; 2.12; 2.14; Domain 3.1; 3.2; 3.3; 3.4; 3.5; 3.6; 3.7; 3.8; Domain 4.1; 4.2; 4.3; 4.4; 4.5; Domain 5.1; 5.2; 5.3; 5.5; 5.6; 5.7; 5.10; 5.12; 5.13; 5.14; 5.15; 5.16; 5.31; 5.22; 5.24; 5.25)

Apply and evaluate the process of critical thinking and reflection and its importance in social work practice. (Domains:   1.2; 1.3; 1.5; 1.9; 1.10; 1.16; 1.21; Domain 2.1; 2.3; 2.4; 2.12; Domain 3.2; 3.3; 3.4; 3.5; 3.6; 3.8; 3.13; Domain 4.3; 4.4; 4.5; Domain 5.1; 5.2; 5.3; 5.5; 5.6; 5.7; 5.8; 5.9; 5.10; 5.12; 5.13; 5.14; 5.15; 5.16; 5.17; 5.24; 5.25)          

 Students will attend weekly lecture and tutorial sessions for a total of one 3 hour period. Lectures will introduce students to the history and evolution of social work practice in Ireland, theories for practice in the context of relevant policy and legislation and encourage the development of reflective practice. Tutorials will be participatory and encourage students to critically examine and evaluate learning in the context of practice.

A variety of teaching and learning techniques will be incorporated to include working in smaller groups, case studies, role-play, virtual learning environments, service user and practitioner testimonials and guest lectures from practising social workers from a wide range of statutory, voluntary and private sectors will be invited to contribute to the students learning journey.

Students will be required to actively engage in self-directed study and are encouraged to engage in learning that underpins and exceeds module objectives. The virtual learning environment will be used to provide access to online resources, lecture notes and external links to further learning.

Note: Students must pass all assessment components in order to pass this module

Essay 40%

An essay demonstrating a critical understanding of social work as a theoretically informed practice in a chosen social work setting

Exam 60% end of the semester.

This modules assessment allows for assessment of CORU Standards of Proficiency as follows:

Essay 40% (Domains:  1.3; 1.5; 1.8; 1.9; 1.10; Domain 2.1; 2.2; 2.3; 2.4; 2.9; 2.12; Domain 3.1; 3.2; Domain 2.4; 2.5; 2.6; 2.8; 2.9; Domain 4.4; Domain 5.1; 5.2; 5.3; 5.7; 5.8; 5.10; 5.12; 5.13; 5.14; 5.15; 5.16; 5.17; 5.18; 5.21; 5.22; 5.24; 5.25; 5.26)       

Exam 60% (Domains: 1.2; 1.3; 1.5; 1.9; 1.10; 1.16; 1.21; Domain 2.1; 2.3; 2.4; 2.12; Domain 3.2; 3.3; 3.4; 3.5; 3.6; 3.8; 3.13; Domain 4.3; 4.4; 4.5; Domain 5.1; 5.2; 5.3; 5.5; 5.6; 5.7; 5.8; 5.9; 5.10; 5.12; 5.13; 5.14; 5.15; 5.16; 5.17; 5.24; 5.25)

Repeat assessment will be based on failed components and will be confirmed at Exam Boards.

LO1 Introduction to social work

• Students will explore the influence of historical developments of social work in the context of examining contemporary social work practice in Ireland
• Introduction to an examination of a variety of social work roles and social work processes in context, identifying key ethical concepts that inform practice.
• Exploration of how marginalization, stigma, discrimination and oppression impact on the individual, group and community.
• Students will be introduced to and develop skills in critical thinking and reflective practice.
• Students will be facilitated in critically examining their own values in the context of social work values and ethics.
• The regulatory system, which requires the registration of social workers in Ireland will also be introduced and explored.

LO2 Gain a critical understanding of theories of social work that focus on social and individual levels, and that account for different cultures, the life course, and populations that experience marginalisation, stigma, discrimination and oppression.

Students will critically analyse the significance of an individual’s social location, for example their race, ethnicity, socio-economic status or experience of disability, using theories of social work.

Students will consider through use of theory how an individual’s positioning in wider society and their position in the life-course may relate to experiences of marginalisation, stigma, discrimination and oppression.

Student’s will explore the role of culture in influencing an individual’s well-being, as well as how culture interacts with notions of equality and social justice.   

LO3 Social Work Theory - Practice Approaches for Intervention

Theory in respect of social work and counselling practice approaches that will be covered include:

• Working with Involuntary Clients
• Task Centred Approach to Casework
• Crisis Intervention
• Person Centred Therapy/Approach
• Cognitive Behaviour Approaches
• Solution Focused Social Work
• Systems Theory
• Strengths-Based Social Work Practice

Students will be facilitated in understanding the link between social work theory and practice. This section complements learning particularly related to group work, community work and social work skills. This section of the module is also closely linked to the Social Work Skills and Competencies module which is run concurrently.

LO4 Community Development and Macro Social Work Practice

Critical assessment of community development and macro social work practice theories, models and approaches such as Ecological Systems Theory, Communication Theory and Community Development Theory. Students will focus on analysing interventions with communities and groups that experience oppression, discrimination and exclusion in the context of access to and use of social services.

LO5 Reflective practice and use of self in social work practice

Students will explore the importance of self-awareness and the ability to critically reflect on practice to facilitate learning and professional development. Students will be encouraged to self-explore using a reflective practice approach, considering Rolfe’s, Gibbs and Kolb’s Models of Reflective Practice. This learning is closely linked to the preparation for the placement module.