(Award available for year: Diploma of Higher Education)
Year 2 builds on the foundational learning from Year 1 by enhancing students' ability to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world social work contexts. At this stage, students will begin to explore more advanced topics such as social justice, inclusion, and ethical decision-making, with a stronger focus on applying theoretical concepts to practice. The year also introduces practical experiences, such as placements, that encourage students to develop critical thinking, reflective practice, and the ability to handle more complex scenarios in social work. The skills acquired in Level 5 prepare students for the more demanding professional practice and leadership roles they will encounter in their final year.
Subject-Specific Learning Outcomes (Knowledge and Understanding required for Social Work):
1. Assess the Role and Ethical Responsibilities of the Social Worker:
Examine the social worker's role in promoting social justice, inclusion, and equality, and apply ethical principles to challenge discrimination and oppression within practice settings.
2. Apply Knowledge of Identity, Legislation, and Advocacy in Practice:
Demonstrate how identity factors (e.g., culture, ethnicity, socioeconomic status) influence social work, apply relevant legal and policy frameworks, and advocate for the rights and economic wellbeing of individuals.
3. Integrate Research, Theories, and Multidisciplinary Knowledge in Practice:
Appraise research, interdisciplinary theories, and social work models to inform practice decisions in placement, showing a developing ability to adapt knowledge to complex scenarios.
4. Identify and Respond to Harm, Incorporating Stakeholder Expertise:
Assess and respond to different forms of harm, and incorporate the expertise of service users, carers, and professionals to guide and improve intervention strategies.
Skills Learning Outcomes (Skills, Values, and Behaviours for Academic and Non-Academic Contexts):
Academic Domain
1. Demonstrate Creativity and Critical Thinking in Practice:
Apply imagination, creativity, and curiosity to practice and decision-making in social work, using gathered information and analysis to inform actions, under supervision.
2. Analyse and Reflect on Practice Decisions:
Use reflection and evidence to evaluate practice decisions, analyse hypotheses, and consider alternative approaches, with supervisory support.
Digital Domain
1. Enhance Professional Digital Communication:
Demonstrate digital communication skills by writing case notes, reports, and professional emails relevant to social work, while effectively communicating with service users and colleagues.
2. Utilise Digital Record-Keeping and Management Systems:
Apply skills in digital record-keeping, securely managing complex case details, interventions, and assessments in social work contexts, and using social care management systems to organise and share information responsibly.
Work-Ready Domain
1. Build and Manage Effective Professional Relationships:
Develop, maintain, and conclude effective relationships using tailored communication methods suited to specific placement settings.
2. Advocate and Communicate in Multi-Disciplinary Settings:
Apply communication to engage with service users and professionals to advocate for needs, share information respectfully, and influence decisions in multidisciplinary settings, with guidance.
3. Identify and Respond to Factors Impacting Service Users:
Respond to multiple factors influencing service users' lives and address risk factors in collaboration with supervisors.
Technical Domain
1. Apply Holistic Needs Assessment and Intervention Frameworks:
Produce an assessment of needs, rights, strengths, and risks, using relevant frameworks to assess, plan, implement, and review interventions with guidance.
2. Integrate Community Resources in Practice
Recognise and connect service users with relevant community resources, groups, and networks as part of a comprehensive support approach.
Sustainability Domain
1. Maintain Personal Safety, Health, and Resilience:
Remain aware of and actively maintain personal safety, health, well-being, and emotional resilience, seeking support when necessary.
Enterprise and Professional Development Domain
1. Understand Professional Leadership and Support Development of Others:
Identify how professional leadership can improve practice, support the development of others, and manage the impact of power within your role with supervision.
Approach to assessment
1. Professional Competencies: Students will be assessed on their ability to demonstrate professional competencies aligned with the BASW's Professional Capabilities Framework during their placements and Social Work England’s Professional standards.
2. Community Project Involvement: Participation in a community based 70 day placement, recognising competence in accordance with Social Work England professional standards and BASW's Professional Capabilities Framework, encourages the practical application of learned concepts.
3. Professional Development Portfolios and Placement Assessments: Portfolios will include reflections and observations recognising, demonstrating compliance with professional standards.
4. Demonstrate professional competence at first placement level: Students will be required to demonstrate competence at first placement.
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