Specialist Professional Child and Family Studies BA(Hons) top-up/Graduate Certificate/PgCert

This course is designed for social workers undertaking direct social work practice with children and young people. It develops your understanding of professional practice and meets the requirements of the GSCC Post-Qualifying Specialist Social Work with Children and Young People, their Families and Carers.

The focus at Specialist level is on consolidating, extending and deepening your initial professional competence in a specialist context.

What will you study?

You start your studies by taking a Consolidation Module, the first module at Specialist level in the new GSCC Post-Qualifying framework for social work. You then choose whether to study to BA(Hons) top-up level, Graduate Certificate level or PgCert level.

You will cover topics related to specialist social work with children, young people, their families and their carers. These include:

• interprofessional and inter-agency partnerships;
• the social, psychological and cultural contexts of childhood;
• child development and transitions;
• statutory duties, tasks and responsibilities; and
• methods of assessment and intervention.

You will develop the professional practice skills needed to work with children and young people, their families and their carers. You will also develop the skills needed to enable others to learn in professional practice.

Many of our staff in the Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences are research active, often in partnership with NHS Trusts. This ensures they are in touch with the latest thinking and bring best practice to your studies.
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This course offers a wide range of option modules so you can tailor it to your own professional requirements. Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list.

BA(Hons) top-up modules

• Consolidation of Social Work Practice with Children, Young People, their Families and Carers

• Consolidation of Social Work Practice with Children, Young People, their Families and Carers

  This module is normally the first module taken on the programme. It focuses on the integration of social work knowledge, values and research with practice with children and their families.

  The module is designed to be taken during the first year of practice after qualification. We deliver it collaboratively with employers and service users/carers.

  Students taking this module are expected to have regular supervision. Both your line manager and a mentor will offer support during the module. You will attend four mentoring sessions (normally three group sessions and one individual session).

  New employees will also be undertaking induction programmes in their agency and accessing training events designed to support new workers, as well attending four themed sessions at the University.

  The assessment for this module includes:

  • a learning and professional development review;
  • an analysis of two pieces of work undertaken by the student; and
  • practice verification and observation is also required.

  Experienced workers may undertake this module on a 'fast-track' basis.

  
   
• Understanding Childhood Experience for Safeguarding Health and Promoting Wellbeing

• Understanding Childhood Experience for Safeguarding Health and Promoting Wellbeing

  This core module focuses on the use of observation skills to enhance your understanding of child and carer needs and experience. On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:

  • apply knowledge of recent research about child health, development and wellbeing, including the impact on children and families of loss and transitions;
  • demonstrate the ability to identify and evaluate risks facing children and carers;
  • reflect critically on practice experience, including evaluation of interventions intended to promote positive change for individuals and families; and
  • show effective use of research skills and ability to share learning with colleagues.

  The assessment of this module requires evaluation of current work with a child and family in the light of learning from three key sources:

  • a report of a child observation study, including detailed records of observations;
  • individual and small group presentations of practice experience; and
  • knowledge of contemporary research surrounding child health, development and wellbeing, including the impact on children and families of loss and transitions.
  
   
• Applying Legal, Ethical and Policy Frameworks for Multi-Agency Decision Making In Child and Family Services

• Applying Legal, Ethical and Policy Frameworks for Multi-Agency Decision Making In Child and Family Services

  This core module covers law and policy applicable to multi-agency and multi-disciplinary intervention with children and families. You will look at anti-discriminatory practice and partnership, working through appraisal of judgement and decision making in light of ethical frameworks and codes of practice.

  Sessions will address:

  • legal and ethical responsibilities for identifying, evaluating and managing risks and uncertainty;
  • the use of authority in social work;
  • the challenges of working with conflict; and
  • the professional role in formal decision-making forums, including the courts.

  On successful completion of this module, you will be able to use your knowledge of the legal framework creatively and ethically to identify ways to facilitate optimal outcomes for children and young people.

  The assessment for this module entails:

  • a small group presentation highlighting challenges; key legal, policy and ethical issues impacting on multi-agency; and multi-professional practice with children and families; and
  • a written analysis of legal, ethical and policy issues arising in your own practice setting, involving critical reflection on your role in making judgements and decisions impacting on the welfare of children.
  
   
• Portfolio: Competence in Specialist Social Work Practice with Children and Young People, Their Families and Carers

• Portfolio: Competence in Specialist Social Work Practice with Children and Young People, Their Families and Carers

  This core module builds on work undertaken at the consolidation phase and aims to enable you to:

  • evidence progression in social work practice in the specialist context of social work practice with children and young people, their families and carers; and
  • appraise the effectiveness of their professional practice within theoretical and ethical frameworks.

  We deliver it collaboratively with employers and representatives of users of social work services and carers. The aim is to promote effective integration of employment and professional requirements. You will:

  • attend regular themed sessions at the University; and
  • work with your manager and mentor/assessor to develop your Specialist Practice Portfolio and reflective analyses of assessed practice.
  
   
• Option module

• Option module

  Available option modules many include:

  • Developing Specialist Roles for Integrated Services with Children and Families
  • Assessment for Safeguarding Health and Promoting Child Wellbeing
  • Creativity and Innovation in Service User and Carer Involvement
  • Specialist Management Studies for Managers of Registered Services
  • Substitute Care

  Please note that option modules require the enrolment of a minimum number of students and you may therefore need to be flexible in your choice of modules.

  
   
• Enabling Learning OR

• Enabling Learning OR

  This module equips you to act as a work-based supervisor alongside a practice teacher to contribute to the learning of a social work first degree student on placement. It enables you to develop and apply your understanding of learning theories in enabling your own and others' learning and development in professional practice.

  You will have to demonstrate skills in working with others to:

  • organise opportunities for the demonstration of assessed competence in practice;
  • enable learning and professional development in practice; and
  • contribute to the management of assessment of learners in practice.

  The assessment of this module includes:

  • direct observation;
  • assessment of work undertaken with a student; and
  • an evaluation the effectiveness of your own practice in enabling the learning and assessment of others using a relevant knowledge base, including an understanding of legal and policy contexts and appropriate research.
  
   
• Practice Teaching modules

• Practice Teaching modules

  These two modules (offered at masters level) equip you to take on full responsibility for teaching and assessing social work students on practice placement. You will also be required to contribute to social work education at the University or in your own agency.

  This well-established programme is particularly suitable for those who may have acted as a work-based supervisor in the past or know that their career interest is in social work education.

  
   
• Integrated Project

• Integrated Project

  This module, which completes the BA(Hons) award, allows you to study an area of individual interest in greater depth. You will demonstrate a fuller understanding of the role of research in professional practice by integrating themes explored throughout the programme from a range of different perspectives.

  
   

PgCert modules (registered social workers) and Graduate Certificate modules

• Consolidation of Social Work Practice with Children, Young People, their Families and Carers

• Consolidation of Social Work Practice with Children, Young People, their Families and Carers

  This module is normally the first module taken on the programme. It focuses on the integration of social work knowledge, values and research with practice with children and their families.

  The module is designed to be taken during the first year of practice after qualification. We deliver it collaboratively with employers and service users/carers.

  Students taking this module are expected to have regular supervision. Both your line manager and a mentor will offer support during the module. You will attend four mentoring sessions (normally three group sessions and one individual session).

  New employees will also be undertaking induction programmes in their agency and accessing training events designed to support new workers, as well attending four themed sessions at the University.

  The assessment for this module includes:

  • a learning and professional development review;
  • an analysis of two pieces of work undertaken by the student; and
  • practice verification and observation is also required.

  Experienced workers may undertake this module on a 'fast-track' basis.

  
   
• Portfolio: Competence in Specialist Social Work Practice with Children and Young People, Their Families and Carers

• Portfolio: Competence in Specialist Social Work Practice with Children and Young People, Their Families and Carers

  This core module builds on work undertaken at the consolidation phase and aims to enable you to:

  • evidence progression in social work practice in the specialist context of social work practice with children and young people, their families and carers; and
  • appraise the effectiveness of their professional practice within theoretical and ethical frameworks.

  We deliver it collaboratively with employers and representatives of users of social work services and carers. The aim is to promote effective integration of employment and professional requirements. You will:

  • attend regular themed sessions at the University; and
  • work with your manager and mentor/assessor to develop your Specialist Practice Portfolio and reflective analyses of assessed practice.
  
   
• Understanding Childhood Experience for Safeguarding Health and Promoting Wellbeing

• Understanding Childhood Experience for Safeguarding Health and Promoting Wellbeing

  This core module focuses on the use of observation skills to enhance your understanding of child and carer needs and experience. On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:

  • apply knowledge of recent research about child health, development and wellbeing, including the impact on children and families of loss and transitions;
  • demonstrate the ability to identify and evaluate risks facing children and carers;
  • reflect critically on practice experience, including evaluation of interventions intended to promote positive change for individuals and families; and
  • show effective use of research skills and ability to share learning with colleagues.

  The assessment of this module requires evaluation of current work with a child and family in the light of learning from three key sources:

  • a report of a child observation study, including detailed records of observations;
  • individual and small group presentations of practice experience; and
  • knowledge of contemporary research surrounding child health, development and wellbeing, including the impact on children and families of loss and transitions.
  
   
• Applying Legal, Ethical and Policy Frameworks for Multi-Agency Decision Making In Child and Family Services

• Applying Legal, Ethical and Policy Frameworks for Multi-Agency Decision Making In Child and Family Services

  This core module covers law and policy applicable to multi-agency and multi-disciplinary intervention with children and families. You will look at anti-discriminatory practice and partnership, working through appraisal of judgement and decision making in light of ethical frameworks and codes of practice.

  Sessions will address:

  • legal and ethical responsibilities for identifying, evaluating and managing risks and uncertainty;
  • the use of authority in social work;
  • the challenges of working with conflict; and
  • the professional role in formal decision-making forums, including the courts.

  On successful completion of this module, you will be able to use your knowledge of the legal framework creatively and ethically to identify ways to facilitate optimal outcomes for children and young people.

  The assessment for this module entails:

  • a small group presentation highlighting challenges; key legal, policy and ethical issues impacting on multi-agency; and multi-professional practice with children and families; and
  • a written analysis of legal, ethical and policy issues arising in your own practice setting, involving critical reflection on your role in making judgements and decisions impacting on the welfare of children.
  
   
• Option module

• Option module

  Available option modules many include:

  • Developing Specialist Roles for Integrated Services with Children and Families
  • Assessment for Safeguarding Health and Promoting Child Wellbeing
  • Creativity and Innovation in Service User and Carer Involvement
  • Specialist Management Studies for Managers of Registered Services
  • Substitute Care

  Please note that option modules require the enrolment of a minimum number of students and you may therefore need to be flexible in your choice of modules.

  
   
• Enabling Learning OR

• Enabling Learning OR

  This module equips you to act as a work-based supervisor alongside a practice teacher to contribute to the learning of a social work first degree student on placement. It enables you to develop and apply your understanding of learning theories in enabling your own and others' learning and development in professional practice.

  You will have to demonstrate skills in working with others to:

  • organise opportunities for the demonstration of assessed competence in practice;
  • enable learning and professional development in practice; and
  • contribute to the management of assessment of learners in practice.

  The assessment of this module includes:

  • direct observation;
  • assessment of work undertaken with a student; and
  • an evaluation the effectiveness of your own practice in enabling the learning and assessment of others using a relevant knowledge base, including an understanding of legal and policy contexts and appropriate research.
  
   
• Practice Teaching modules

• Practice Teaching modules

  These two modules (offered at masters level) equip you to take on full responsibility for teaching and assessing social work students on practice placement. You will also be required to contribute to social work education at the University or in your own agency.

  This well-established programme is particularly suitable for those who may have acted as a work-based supervisor in the past or know that their career interest is in social work education.

  
   

PgCert modules (other professionals)

• Understanding Childhood Experience for Safeguarding Health and Promoting Wellbeing

• Understanding Childhood Experience for Safeguarding Health and Promoting Wellbeing

  This core module focuses on the use of observation skills to enhance your understanding of child and carer needs and experience. On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:

  • apply knowledge of recent research about child health, development and wellbeing, including the impact on children and families of loss and transitions;
  • demonstrate the ability to identify and evaluate risks facing children and carers;
  • reflect critically on practice experience, including evaluation of interventions intended to promote positive change for individuals and families; and
  • show effective use of research skills and ability to share learning with colleagues.

  The assessment of this module requires evaluation of current work with a child and family in the light of learning from three key sources:

  • a report of a child observation study, including detailed records of observations;
  • individual and small group presentations of practice experience; and
  • knowledge of contemporary research surrounding child health, development and wellbeing, including the impact on children and families of loss and transitions.
  
   
• Applying Legal, Ethical and Policy Frameworks for Multi-Agency Decision Making In Child and Family Services

• Applying Legal, Ethical and Policy Frameworks for Multi-Agency Decision Making In Child and Family Services

  This core module covers law and policy applicable to multi-agency and multi-disciplinary intervention with children and families. You will look at anti-discriminatory practice and partnership, working through appraisal of judgement and decision making in light of ethical frameworks and codes of practice.

  Sessions will address:

  • legal and ethical responsibilities for identifying, evaluating and managing risks and uncertainty;
  • the use of authority in social work;
  • the challenges of working with conflict; and
  • the professional role in formal decision-making forums, including the courts.

  On successful completion of this module, you will be able to use your knowledge of the legal framework creatively and ethically to identify ways to facilitate optimal outcomes for children and young people.

  The assessment for this module entails:

  • a small group presentation highlighting challenges; key legal, policy and ethical issues impacting on multi-agency; and multi-professional practice with children and families; and
  • a written analysis of legal, ethical and policy issues arising in your own practice setting, involving critical reflection on your role in making judgements and decisions impacting on the welfare of children.
  
   
• Two option modules

• Two option modules

  Available option modules many include:

  • Developing Specialist Roles for Integrated Services with Children and Families
  • Assessment for Safeguarding Health and Promoting Child Wellbeing
  • Creativity and Innovation in Service User and Carer Involvement
  • Specialist Management Studies for Managers of Registered Services
  • Substitute Care

  Please note that option modules require the enrolment of a minimum number of students and therefore students may need to be flexible in their choice of modules.

  
   

The Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences teaches this course.

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Learn more about the facilities available to you as a student of this course.

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The range of events and lectures in the Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences enhances your studies and adds an extra perspective to your learning.
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