SW5001 - Social Work Assessment and Intervention

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.

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.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

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.

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)

SW4000, SW4001, SW4002, SW4003, SW4004, SW4005

SW5000, SW5002, SW5003, SW5004

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.