SW5001 - Social Work Assessment and Intervention

What will I learn on this module?

This module has been designed to support you to recognise key concepts and underpinning knowledge about social work assessment and intervention to promote change with people who use care and support services. You will examine a range of assessment and intervention methods and approaches within the social work process, and you will be encouraged to explain and distinguish between the various intervention approaches and models of assessment through a range of teaching and learning strategies. The module aims to orientate you to the breadth of relevant social work knowledge and skills, as well as the language and key terms used within assessment and intervention processes. This module builds upon learning at Level 4 and aims to support you to extend and develop further practice -based skills which can then be applied within an assessed practice learning opportunity. The 70-day placement offered at Level 5 will afford you the opportunity to apply the knowledge, skills and values developed in this module in practice with people who use care and support services and other professionals in practice settings, whilst demonstrating professional practice informed by the PCF and Social Work England’s Professional Standards. A key standard that underpins this module is the use of assessment and intervention to promote the rights, strengths and wellbeing of people, families, and communities.
In accordance with Social Work England’s Professional Standards, the module will assist you in developing knowledge and skills for working in partnership with people who use care and support services to identify their strengths and needs, challenge disadvantage and promote rights. By assisting you to develop skills in recognising and using power and authority in the assessment process and developing knowledge of where interventions are necessary, the module will contribute towards ensuring that social work interventions are proportionate and in the best interests of people who use care and support services.

How will I learn on this module?

Teaching and learning strategies for this module will include lectures seminars and work within groups to outline the main concepts and explore social work approaches and theories. Facilitated group discussions within seminars will be integral to the module where you will explore key concepts in more depth and draw out individual and collective analysis with a focus on advancing skills for managing self and working with formal situations with people who may present needs and challenges. In preparing for practice at Level 5, the module will explore differing approaches to assessment and intervention across a range of organisational contexts where children, families and adults may be accessing services. The module will also explore working in partnership with other professionals to help address needs and promote social justice through resolving issues of inequality and exclusion. You will be expected to engage with directed independent study tasks, as well as working in informal groups to develop and present your ideas. The module will be summative assessed through a written assignment.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

Lectures will be used to present key theoretical perspectives and practice approaches allied to assessment and intervention and the content and themes will facilitate seminar groups to support knowledge and skills development. You will have access to module tutors at specifically designated times via lectures, seminars, and email. Formative and summative assessment tasks will include ‘feedforward’ in preparation for assignments, and ‘feedback’ will support students to identify areas of strength and knowledge and skills which may require further development. Your Personal Tutor will also meet with you regularly to provide both academic and pastoral support. Workshops and seminars will provide the opportunity for you to explore assessment and intervention skills and consider which approaches are relevant and most appropriate to different organisational contexts.

A key purpose of the module teaching and learning strategy is to enable you to develop your knowledge, and as you move into a Level 5 practice placement the opportunity to practise direct social work skills across the PCF, whilst informed by Social Work England’s Professional Standards.

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. Understand and articulate the social work process in relation to assessment, planning, intervention, and review
2. Develop and demonstrate a planned and structured approach to building relationships with service users by drawing on relevant theories and approaches.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

3. Appraise , select and employ a range of appropriate social work interventions to address assessed needs.
4. Creatively use appropriate strategies to assess and intervene in a range of different practice scenarios.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

5. Demonstrate social work values where assessment and intervention recognises the unique strengths and abilities of individuals and promotes their views, wishes, rights, equality and inclusion through advice advocacy and support services.

How will I be assessed?

Formative
The aim of the formative task is to assist your preparation for the summative assessment and is an opportunity to practice your understanding of intervention skills. The formative task involves skills practice sessions using a case scenario and written reflection. You will receive verbal peer and tutor feedback for the formative assessment task.
(MO1,2)

Summative
You will produce a 2000-word assignment demonstrating an understanding of the social work process in relation to assessment, planning, intervention, and review. The assignment compromises 100% of the module mark. It will be submitted electronically via Turnitin and you will receive written feedback on your assignment from the module team again via Turnitin.
(MO1,2,3,4,5)

Pre-requisite(s)

SW4000, SW4001, SW4002, SW4003, SW4004, SW4005

Co-requisite(s)

SW5000, SW5002, SW5003, SW5004

Module abstract

Assessment, planning, intervention, and review are core to the social work process. This module will support you to develop knowledge, understanding and skills to intervene to effect change with service users in a range of practice situations. In social work there is not one type of approach that fits all situations; therefore, this module will present a range of assessment and intervention theories, knowledge, and skills.

This module’s pre-placement learning will concentrate on introducing you to knowledge and theories in relation to social work interventions and assessment. The Level 5 practice learning days will then offer you the opportunity to develop your social work practice with people who use care and support services and professionals and to demonstrate ability to work within the Professional Capabilities Framework (BASW, 2018) and requirements of Social Work England Professional Standards (2021). The application of assessment and intervention models and methods during your Level 5 placement will enable you to acquire relevant underpinning theory and skills to promote positive change.

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

Fee Information

Module Information

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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