SW6002 - Knowledge for Safeguarding Practice

What will I learn on this module?

This module aims to support your preparation for your final practice placement experience by further developing your knowledge and understanding of safeguarding across the life span and with reference to different individuals and groups who access social work support services. The module will assist you to develop your understanding of the interplay between relevant legislative frameworks and will encourage critical reflection on lessons learned from practice. Development of your knowledge of judgement and decision-making frameworks and inter-agency working practices are also areas of learning within the module. You will consider questions of participation, autonomy, and capacity in relation to children, young people and vulnerable adults making links to knowledge of human growth, development and associated safeguarding practices. You will consider questions of professional power, individual choice, methods of engagement and communication and the use of frameworks for social control as aspects of safeguarding practice.

How will I learn on this module?

The module will be delivered using a combination of lectures, seminars, group work, self-directed learning. Group guidance tutorials will be used to support your academic learning. Lectures and seminars will be delivered by the module team and will focus on key safeguarding concepts and frameworks introduced as the main topics and subject areas of the module. Individual and group work will facilitate your academic learning and there will be specific workshops considering safeguarding from both and adult and child perspectives. The module staff team will provide academic support throughout the course of the module and a formative assessment will require to select and critically review a journal article on a safeguarding topic of interest. On reviewing the article, you will be required to consider the implications for safeguarding practice. As part of the formative assessment, you will have the opportunity to present the findings of your article review within a small group. Educators by Experience will support module staff in providing verbal feedback to students following presentations. The summative assessment consists of a mini project where you are required to focus a 2,000-word assignment on an area of safeguarding practice. You are required to critically analyse the available evidence-base on a chosen topic area of safeguarding practice and assess the implications of this evidence for social work practice. The rationale for the summative task is that it offers you an opportunity to develop knowledge and focus on relevant safeguarding evidence-based literature in preparation for entering the practice learning environment at Level 6.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

The module team will provide academic support throughout the course of the module. Teaching and learning strategies provided by the module team will include lecturer and facilitated focused seminar groups to support your knowledge and academic development. You will have access to lecturers at specifically designated times via email and one-to-one meetings. Formative work will include teaching staff, Educators by Experience, and peer group feedback in preparation for the summative assignment. Feedback will identify aspects of your strengths and aspects of learning where you may require development. The feedback you receive from staff and peers on you review of a journal article for the formative task will be verbal and will support the development of the wider review for the summative task. Contact details for all tutors for this module are available in the module handbook and via the Blackboard Ultra e-Learning (elp) site. Personal Tutors will also meet with you regularly to provide both academic and pastoral support where required.

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. Develop understanding and an ability to critically appraise knowledge relevant to care, control, support, and protection in relation to the social work role.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

2. Develop a capacity to assess the impact and effects of different knowledge and forms of risk and significant harm and the potential impact of intervention, both on service users and the self as a social worker.

3. Develop personal skills and abilities to assist you in utilising theories and research evidence in formulating professional judgement.

4. Demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate underpinning knowledge for assessment and intervention within the constraints and opportunities of the legal, political, and social context.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. Develop your value-base and demonstrate an ethical approach to safeguarding practice by being able to compare how knowledge of social divisions including culture, class, gender, disability, and sexual orientation assist in formulating professional judgement.

How will I be assessed?

The formative task will require you to identify a journal article relevant to safeguarding practice and on a chosen issue prepare a summary of its relevance and application in practice. Through presenting a critical analysis and article review, within a small group setting with peers, module staff and Educators by Experience, module learning outcomes allied to knowledge and understanding, and professional skills and abilities will be demonstrated. Formative assessment verbal feedback will be provided by peers, staff, and Educators by Experience.
(MLO1,4)

The summative assignment consists of a 2,000-word mini project focused on a chosen area of safeguarding practice. The summative task is concerned with a critical analysis of the available evidence-based on a topic and your assessment of the implications of this evidence for social work practice. The assignment comprises 100% of the module mark. Written summative assessment feedback will be provided by the module team via Turnitin.
(MLO 1,2,3,4,5)

Pre-requisite(s)

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

Co-requisite(s)

SW6000, SW6001,SW6003

Module abstract

The learning opportunities this module provides will equip you to demonstrate capability in practicing within Social Work England’s Professional Standards. The knowledge you develop will enable you to achieve best outcomes as a social worker across a range of organisational contexts. Assisting you in developing person-centred and strengths-based practice the aim of the module is to support development of your professional capability at a level at which on successful completion of the programme will enable you to apply for registration with Social Work England. While supporting your development of knowledge relevant to inform specific safeguarding interventions your value-base will be enhanced as ethical consideration in relation to understanding the impact of professional knowledge, power and decision-making is encouraged. Through your development of skill in critically applying knowledge for safeguarding the learning within the module will also allow you to recognise risk indicators of different forms of harm and abuse experienced by adults and children.

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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