SW6001 - Rights Based Social Work Practice

What will I learn on this module?

You will consolidate and extend learning on rights and values and diversity gained at Levels 4 and 5 and this will further prepare you for your final practice placement which commences following completion of teaching. You will consider the application of rights, values and diversity in relation to professional judgement and decision making in complex and changing statutory social work policy and practice contexts. Consideration of the perspectives of people who use care and support services is embedded in the curriculum. Furthermore, you will develop your understanding of the challenges to providing good quality service delivery and professional practice focussing on organisational, policy, individual and family issues.

How will I learn on this module?

Your learning will be informed by a rights based learning and teaching strategy and you will be expected to draw upon your previous placement and other work experience to enhance your learning.
Lead lectures and interactive e-learning resources will provide you with the knowledge base and this will be linked to seminars which will focus on identified themes, including the role of power and authority in social work assessment and intervention, promoting social justice through participatory approaches and empowerment in practice. Seminar discussions will be facilitated by the use of case studies which require reflection and analysis of professional values social justice, rights and diversity to social work practice with people who use care and support services.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

You will have direct access to the academic team through group-based learning and tutorial support in seminar groups. In addition, tutors will respond to queries and comments through the Blackboard Ultra e-Learning (eLP) site. You will also have a Personal Tutor to monitor professional development and provide systematic academic support during your practice placement.

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.Critically appraise contemporary social work practice in the context of changing policy and organisational structures and explore the impact of these on the social worker and service user relationship in statutory contexts.

2.Recognise the impact of socio- economic disadvantage and social exclusion on individual wellbeing, and the importance of promoting enhanced economic status through access to education, work, housing, health and welfare benefits.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Analyse the effectiveness of strategies used to engage and involve service users and carers in planning their own care and being involved in wider service planning and policy development.
4.Critically analyse the relevance and appropriateness of policy and service delivery designed to support diversity, social justice, and the professional value base.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA)
5. Recognise potentially conflicting values and be able to reflect upon ethical dilemmas.

How will I be assessed?

Formative assessment:
This is a group presentation where you will explore how a practitioner might apply a rights-based approach in a chosen area of practice context. Verbal feedback will be provided by tutors, peers, and Educators by Experience.
(MLO 1,2,3,4)

Summative assessment:
This is a 2,000-word written assignment which will focus on professional judgment and decision making in the context of upholding values, rights, and social justice when exercising statutory responsibilities. The submission is electronic through Turnitin, and the assignment constitutes 100% of the module mark. You will be provided with written feedback through Turnitin.
(MLO 1,2,3,4)

Pre-requisite(s)

SW4000 SW4001, SW4002, SW4003, SW4004, SW4005, SW5000, SW5001, SW5002, SW5003, SW5004

Co-requisite(s)

SW6000, SW6002, SW6003, SW6004

Module abstract

This module will support you to move from an understanding of rights, diversity, and the law to professional capability in relation to working with more complex issues and conflicting values at a level at which you will be eligible to register with Social Work England as a qualified social worker. The learning opportunities provided in the academic and practice components of the module will equip you to demonstrate evidence of the social work role in organisational contexts, person centred practices, effective direct work with individuals and families, mental capacity and professional ethics. You will analyse and apply appropriate rights, values and social justice to contemporary social work practice. This will be achieved by developing your ability to recognise and promote the individual’s right to self-determination and identify and manage the impact on people of the power of your role. You will also develop the ability to recognise and manage the impact of your own values on practice and develop a deeper understanding of the construction of individual identity by culture, economic factors, life experiences and characteristics.

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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