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What will I learn on this module?
This module will prepare you to undertake direct practice with service users by enabling you to begin developing the practical skills you will need as a social worker. During the module, you will develop your core communication and interpersonal skills and the capacity to develop these further. Specific topics studied during the module include:
* Knowledge of self and the impact on communication
* Personal and professional boundaries as applied to simulated practice situations
* Verbal and non-verbal communication skills with a range of stakeholders
* Observation skills
* Written communication skills including professional letters, reports and case recording
* Interviewing skills, including listening, use of questioning techniques and telephone skills
* Assertiveness in professional contexts
* Managing conflict and effective negotiation
* Understanding service user perspectives including the impact of diversity upon communication
* Skills for reflection and evaluation in simulated practice situations
How will I learn on this module?
Your learning will be promoted by the use of lectures, seminar groups, skills days and directed learning. The seminars are practical in nature, and you will be expected to participate fully in simulated practice scenarios and other practical activities to promote your learning in a supportive environment. This will include practising skills in giving and receiving feedback and using reflection to enhance intervention skills. Some sessions will be facilitated by specialist practitioners and Educators by Experience to focus on specific areas of skills development in relation to communication and interpersonal skills. Staff modelling and simulated practice will be used to enhance the learning experience. You will also have the opportunity to develop your skills through simulation activities. Your learning is supported by active use of Blackboard Ultra, the module dedicated e-Learning (eLP) site on which the Module Team will post e-resources and materials to support your learning about specific topics which are covered in lectures, seminars and skills development days. skills development days. You will be expected to use video recording software to record sample interviews for formative and summative assessments. Instructional and informational materials on skills will be used throughout the module to add to your reading and participation in seminars.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
Most of the learning on this module takes place in seminar groups which are practical in nature and run in a workshop style. These sessions aim to provide a supportive environment where you can learn through practice. Your seminar tutor will provide support throughout these sessions, often modelling activities and giving you feedback on your development to enhance your learning. We will also encourage you to engage in peer feedback with other students and learn from each other. Lectures and skills days will provide the underpinning knowledge for the topic areas. Tutors will support your learning in a variety of ways. You will be provided with an electronic reading list which will include essential and recommended reading for the module and its assessment. Following the formative work/assessment for the module, your seminar tutor and peers will provide detailed written feedback to help with your summative assessment.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.
What will I be expected to achieve?
At the end of the module you will be able to:
Knowledge & Understanding:
1.Be familiar with a range of forms of intervention to respond to need and promote change.
2. Consider and explain the impact of diversity upon interpersonal communication.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3.Demonstrate a range of appropriate interpersonal and written communication skills for a professional social work context.
4.Understand and manage yourself in your interaction with service users, their families and carers and other professionals.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5.Demonstrate learning outcomes at a level where you are considered to be ready for direct practice before undertaking your first assessed practice learning opportunity.
How will I be assessed?
Formative Assessment
You will complete a classroom based focused conversations with student peers which will be reviewed during a seminar. You will also complete a series of structured tasks prior to attending seminars, which will be reviewed during the seminar. Your seminar tutor will provide verbal feedback on these tasks to help you prepare for the summative assessment.
(MLO 1,2.3,4)
Summative assessment
The summative assessment is in two parts, and both must be passed to successfully complete the module.
You will complete a 10-minute video simulated social work interview which should demonstrate your ability to engage with a service user using effective inter-personal skills. The video will be submitted via Turnitin. This assignment component is marked as a Grade Pass or a Grade Fail.
(MLO 1,3,4,5)
A series of structured written tasks, with a maximum word count of 1,000 words, demonstrating your ability to plan for, reflect upon and record your simulated interview, incorporating relevant knowledge and theory. The assignment will be submitted via Turnitin. This assignment component is marked as a Grade Pass or a Grade Fail.
(MLO 1,2,3,5)
Summative feedback will be provided by the module team via the module e-Learning (elp) site.
Pre-requisite(s)
N/A
Co-requisite(s)
SW4000, SW4002, SW4003, SW4004 and SW4005
Module abstract
This module will prepare you to undertake direct practice with people who use social work care and support services by enabling you to begin developing the practical skills you will need as a social worker. Communication is vital to effective social work practice and during this module you will develop your core communication and interpersonal skills and the capacity to develop these further. You will consider your personal communication style and develop your understanding of how to form, manage and sustain relationships. This will include practising the skills of interviewing, observation, giving and receiving feedback and reflection. Skills development workshops will give you the opportunity for simulated practice and feedback from peers and tutors. The module assesses your fitness for social work practice learning and provides the foundation for your ongoing development, as a social worker.
Course info
UCAS Code L503
Credits 20
Level of Study Undergraduate
Mode of Study 3 years Full Time
Department Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing
Location Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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