Social work (post-qualifying) credit-bearing short course

30 credits

On the successful completion of this module, you will be awarded the title of BIA which will allow you to practise as a BIA, and undertake assessments to determine if a person is deprived of their liberty and if that deprivation is lawful and appropriate.

Assessment for this module requires you to complete a 3,500-word essay based on a selected practice case study that enables you to demonstrate an applied knowledge of the legislative framework of the codes of practice and case law related to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. You will also complete a 1,500-word critical analysis of an observation of practice.

You will need to have completed an observation of a Best Interest Assessor in the 12 months prior to commencing the module. As explained above, you will need to undertake a further second observation as part of your assessment. Please email Dr Maria Brent, the course lead, to find out more detail on this requirement.

Please note: This module is only available for those in the following professional groups, who must have at least two years post-registration experience at the point of starting the module (Mental Capacity Regulations (2008)). This includes:

a) approved mental health professionals;

b) social workers registered with the Social Work England;

c) first level nurses, registered in Sub-Part 1 of the Nurses' Part of the Register maintained under article 5 of the Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001 (e);

d) occupational therapists registered in Part 6 of the register maintained under article 5 of the Health Professions Order 2001(c); or

e) chartered psychologists who are listed in the British Psychological Society's Register of Chartered Psychologists and who hold a relevant practising certificate issued by that Society

30 credits

This module aims to equip students to mentor, coach and assess colleagues at post-registration levels. It promotes critical evaluation of theoretical, professional and policy approaches to mentoring, coaching and holistic assessment of professional practice. The knowledge, understanding, values and skills necessary for mentoring and assessing professional practice in social work and related settings are examined. Students are assisted to develop strategies and techniques to enhance their skills in mentoring, coaching and assessment of professional colleagues in different contexts in practice settings. Students are required to mentor, coach and assess colleagues as part of the practicum for this module and provide a report to evidence their critical analysis and appraisal of their developing practice.

30 credits

This module equips registered social workers to undertake the responsibilities of a Stage 1 Practice Educator (Practice Educator Professional Standards, PEPS) of the British Association of Social Workers (BASW).  Trainees who complete this module successfully will be able to supervise, teach and assess social work students up to, but not including, the final assessment prior to qualification. At this stage they may contribute to the last placement, but not take full responsibility for assessment or act as the practice educator on a day-to-day basis.

Trainees enrolled on this module are required to create a practice curriculum for a social work student on their first placement (70 days) and be assessed undertaking this role.

30 credits

This interdisciplinary module aims to address current issues in safeguarding by providing students from different disciplines and agencies opportunities to learn together and develop a better understanding of collaborative approaches to safeguarding those at risk across the life course.

The module will take a holistic safeguarding approach and promote local authorities' national agenda a ‘Think Family' approach, referring to the need for children's, young people's, and adults' practitioners to identify wider family needs which extend beyond the individual they are supporting.

This module is taught over 5 days and will promote joint learning with all students attending days 1 and 2. On days 3 and 4 you will be able to take the option to explore a child- or adult-specific safeguarding topic, then return to the wider group on day 5 to share your learning and present ideas for formative feedback on your assignment plans.

The assignment requires you to submit an essay that demonstrates how you have applied the knowledge gained from this module to a case from your practice. This will enable you to demonstrate your understanding and consider how you can embed the learning gained from this module into future practice.

30 credits

This module provides an opportunity for students to undertake, under academic supervision, work-based projects and gain credit for this work. The work-based learning approach assumes self-directed and autonomous learning. The module develops the student's own critical reflection skills and to work as a mature self-directed student. Learning outcomes and the method of working will be agreed jointly by the student, module leader / academic supervisor and workplace mentor. The assessment strategy is based upon the principle that work based activities can be used to generate critical reflection and learning outcomes. The assessment submission can take a variety of forms such as reports, essays, discussion documents, and practice analysis.

30 credits

This module equips registered social workers to undertake the responsibilities of a Stage 1 Practice Educator (Practice Educator Professional Standards, PEPS) of the British Association of Social Workers (BASW). Trainees who complete this module successfully will be able to supervise, teach and assess social work degree apprenticeships up to, but not including, the final assessment prior to qualification. At this stage they may contribute to the last placement, but not take full responsibility for assessment or act as the practice educator on a day-to-day basis.

Trainees will attend five teaching and learning days in the university and at external employer partner settings during this module, which are normally interspersed by their undertaking an experiential practicum during which they act as a Stage 1 practice educator for a social work degree apprentice undertaking their first practice placement. Some learning will be delivered in hybrid form, with recorded sessions and online group work constituting part of the teaching and learning sessions. The module aligns with the requirements for the BA (Hons) Social Work Apprenticeship Integrated Degree Programme.

All trainees must be responsible for providing a first practice placement for social work degree apprenticeships of no less than 70 days.

This module is only available to registered social workers with two or more years' more post-registration practice experience. It is targeted at social worker/experienced social worker level.

30 credits

This module equips registered social workers to undertake the responsibilities of a Stage 2 Practice Educator (Practice Educator Professional Standards, PEPS) of the British Association of Social Workers (BASW).  Trainees who complete this module successfully will be able to supervise, teach and assess social work students up to and including the last placement. In effect, these practice educators will have the authority and capability to recommend, on the basis of appropriate evidence, that the social work students are fit to practise at the point of qualification.

Trainees enrolled on this module are required to review a practice curriculum for a social work student on a final placement (100 days), and be assessed undertaking their role.

60 credits

This module is required for students undertaking studies at masters level and is normally taken after achieving PG Diploma Level. The module will provide students with the experience of utilising principles of research and academic writing and thus demonstrate the intellectual skills learnt on the course. Students are expected to critically review research and to evaluate the evidence underpinning their own practice. The module will provide students with the opportunity to implement the knowledge and skills developed during the previous modules by conducting research focused on a topic of their choice related to their area of practice with the support of a research supervisor. The module will enhance students' presentation and publication skills as the assessment includes writing an abstract, oral presentation and writing an article suitable for publication in a peer reviewed journal.