Programme Specification and Curriculum Map

Transcription

1 Programme Specification and Curriculum Map 1. Programme title Graduate Diploma Specialist Social Work Award Adults Code: 189L Awarding institution Middlesex University 3. Teaching institution Middlesex University 4. Programme accredited by Middlesex University 5. Final qualification Graduate Diploma Specialist Social Work Award - Adults 6. Academic year Language of study English 8. Mode of study P T 9. Criteria for admission to the programme Applicants for the Programme have to be qualified registered social workers (or other professionals e.g. nurses, psychologists or occupational therapists employed in an adults setting. They have to provide written evidence from their employers that they support their application. This programme is at level 3 so it can be accessed by social workers whose qualification was at Diploma in Higher Education (DipSW or CQSW) level. The Programme is sufficiently flexible to be undertaken by candidates according to their professional development needs. The Programme was developed in consultation with other London Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to make sure candidates who have undertaken parts of the Programme (previous and current) are able to make use of APL arrangements.

2 10. Aims of the programme The Programme aims to: Produce professionally and academically capable, reflective and effective adults social workers who are fit for professional practice, purpose and award, who will endeavour to improve outcomes for the users of adults services Offer students a stimulating post-qualifying (PQ) adults specialist award programme which has a coherent curriculum and related methods of assessment. Work in partnership with employers, carers and service users, and students to ensure the efficacy and currency of the Programme Liaise closely with University departments to ensure student support is utilised to enable students to successfully complete the Programme. Produce research-minded and critical thinking adults social work practitioners who are able to evaluate research and scholarship in the field and apply it sensitively and systematically. To ensure that students who successfully complete the Programme have met all the GSCC requirements for the Graduate Diploma Specialist Social Work Award - Adults (GSCC, 2005, 2006). 11. Programme outcomes A. Knowledge and understanding On completion of this programme the successful student will have systematic knowledge and understanding of : 1. the legal, policy and procedural frameworks within which adults social work takes place. 2. theories, models and methods of social work interventions and related research in the field of adults 3. knowledge and research that helps practitioners to understand the lives and experiences of people who need adults social work services 4. values and ethics relevant to adults social work practice 5. the social work role within adults multiprofessional contexts 6. professional authority related to the care and control dimensions of adults social work 7. The knowledge required to meet the Specialist Standards and Requirements for Post-qualifying Social Work Education and Training for the consolidation module (GSCC, ) 8. The knowledge required to meet the Specialist Standards and Requirements for Post-qualifying Social Work Education and Training for adults Teaching/learning methods The Programme is designed to build upon the student s knowledge and practice experience they have acquired in an adults setting. Students gain systematic knowledge and understanding through attending seminars and workshops used for the exposition of theoretical material and factual information. This will enhance critical analysis, debate and further the application of the knowledge base to adults practice. Students are expected to undertake self-directed study to supplement and consolidate their learning in both academic and practice arenas. In practice students will be assessed on a number of occasions as a vehicle for facilitating learning and teaching. Assessment Method Students knowledge and understanding is assessed by the use of a variety of methods including: observations, case studies, portfolios, self evaluative reports and practice assessor reports. Students are enabled to prepare for formative and summative assessments via seminar support. Formative opportunities are integrated into each of the modules.

3 (GSCC, 2006: 14-19) 9. The Knowledge required to meet the requirements for the Specialist level award (generic level Criteria) (GSCC, 2005: 15-17). B. Cognitive (thinking) skills On completion of this programme the successful student will be able to: 1. Integrate the knowledge base of social work with adults practice in a complex, comprehensive and creative fashion 2. Critically analyse and synthesise theoretical and research material relevant to adults social work practice 3. Understand the complex nature of values and ethics as applied to adults social work practice 4. Reflect upon and articulate the impact of themselves upon the work and the work upon themselves 5. Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems. C. Practical skills On completion of the programme the successful student will be able to: 1. Demonstrate that they have consolidated and extended their practice in a adults setting against all the Units of the National Occupational Standards for Social Work (TOPSS, 2002; GSCC, 2005; 2006) 2. Work in accordance with the General Social Care Council s Equal Opportunities Policy (GSCC, 2002) 3. Practice social work in line with the GSCC s Codes of Practice (GSCC, 2002; GSCC, 2005, 2006) 4. Plan their continued development of knowledge, understanding, research and skills in the adults social work field. Students learn cognitive skills through presenting reasoned creative and informed arguments developed throughout the teaching and learning programme. Each module, whilst differing in curriculum content, involves discussion of key concepts, ideas and ethical issues underpinning effective adults social work practice. Seminars develop skills in analysing, summarising, synthesising and evaluating information. Workshops encourage the development of selfreflection, problem-solving critical awareness by emphasising the intellectual and emotional components of the adults social work role. Assessment Method Students cognitive skills are assessed by a variety of methods designed to test students breadth and depth of relevant knowledge, their ability to grasp concepts and their inter-relationships, demonstrate their understanding of the relationship between values, ethics and practice, focus evidence and sustain arguments, and present literate, fluent and accurate work. Formative feedback as described above helps students with the development of these abilities. Teaching/learning methods Students learn practical skills through workshops, assessed practice observations and seminars. Detailed guidance on the skills needed to meet the requirements for the award (GSCC, 2005; 2006) is integrated within each of the modules. Assessment Method Academic assignments will evidence students ability to critically reflect upon and apply their adults practitioner skills in the interest of service users and carers. There a number of ways this is assessed: case studies, observations, self-evaluative reports.

4 5. Demonstrate the skills required to meet the Specialist Standards and Requirements for Post-qualifying Social Work Education and Training for the consolidation module (GSCC, 2006) 6. Demonstrate the skills required to meet the Specialist Standards and Requirements for Post-qualifying Social Work Education and Training for Adults (GSCC, 2006: 14-19) 7. Demonstrate the skills required to meet the requirements for the Specialist level award (generic level Criteria) (GSCC, 2005: 15-17). D. Graduate Skills On completion of this programme the successful student will be able to: 1. Collect, collate, analyse and synthesise materials for specific academic and practice purposes 2. Evidence their numeracy relevant to their academic study and their practice requirements 3. Effectively make use of ITC for both academic study and in practice 4. Communicate effectively in written and oral forms 5. Work effectively within a group or organisation 6. Demonstrate a capacity to be reflective and evaluative of their own work. 7. Identify their own learning needs and be able to seek out the means for those needs to be met through continuing professional development activities. Teaching/learning methods Students acquire graduate skills through both the academic and practice components of the programme. Academic modules are assessed via case studies, observations and portfolios. Written feedback is provided to each student in relation to skills in communication, data collection, powers of analysis and synthesis, and self-reflection. Seminars and workshops offer opportunities for the development of skills in relation to team working, and becoming an autonomous self-directed adults practitioner. Students access a variety of information technology resources for social work by linking to the University s Learning Resource Services. This programme also uses Oasis Plus as one mechanism to promote learning outside of the classroom. Assessment Method Students graduate skills are assessed: via formal academic assignments (see above), and in practice. 12. Programme structure (levels, modules, credits and progression requirements) Overall structure of the programme The Graduate Diploma Post Qualifying Specialist Social Work Award (Adults) will be a 120 credit programme at level three in line with guidance from the GSCC (GSCC, 2005; 2006). The consolidation module (SWK 3417) will be undertaken first in the first term of the academic year. This consolidation module or its previous equivalent, the old PQ1, could have been undertaken at another University and candidates will be able to APL these related credits into the Graduate Diploma Post Qualifying Specialist Social Work Award (Adults).

5 Students will then do the following specialist modules: SWK3432 Safeguarding and Supporting Adults (30 level 3 credits) and SWK3433 Professional Practice with Adults (30 level 3 credits) or two 15 credit modules: SWK 3440 Best Interests Assessor and SWK 3500 Personalisation and Self-Directed Support. Then to complete the award all students will undertake: SWK 3420 Practice Teaching and Assessing (30 level 3 credits) and SWK 3425 Enabling Others (15 level 3 credits). The Practice Teaching and Assessing (SWK 3420) and the Enabling Others (SWK 3425) modules are undertaken concurrently over a full academic year. When all the modules and components of the Programme have been successfully completed the candidate will have completed 120 credits at level 3 and will be eligible to be given the Graduate Diploma Specialist Social Work Award - Adults. It is expected that candidates will normally complete all these modules and the full award over a period of two and a half years. Middlesex University s regulation of only allowing two thirds of the overall credits for the Award to be APL is adhered to in that candidates can only APL a maximum of 75 credits out of the potential 120 credits. Some examples of progression include the following: a) Student has the degree in Social Work and has the requisite experience to do whole Graduate Diploma Adults specialism: Year 1 Registration on Programme Consolidation Module Sept to Jan (15 credits) Year 2 2 Specialist adults modules September to May (60 credits) Year 3 Enabling others September to May (15 credits) Practice Teaching and Assessment (30 credits) TOTAL of 120 credits at level 3 for 2 year programme leading to award of Graduate Diploma b) Student who has done PQ1 + Practice Teacher Award previously. Both these can be APL d in to the Graduate Diploma. The student would then undertake the 2 specialist adults modules TOTAL of 120 credits at level 3 for 2 year programme leading to award of Graduate Diploma 12.2 Levels and modules Level 3

6 COMPULSORY OPTIONAL PROGRESSION REQUIREMENTS Consolidation (Adults) SWK 3417 Practice Teaching and Assessing SWK 3420 Enabling Others SWK 3425 N/A Safeguarding and Supporting Adults SWK3432 Professional Practice with Adults SWK3433 Best Interests Assessor SWK 3440 Leadership for Public and Community Services IPL 3100 Service Development and Quality Improvement IPL 3200 N/A N/A 12.3 Non-compensatable modules Module level Module code Level 3 All modules. No module is compensatable. This has to be successfully completed prior to undertaking the specialist adults modules. APL facilities are available for this module. If students do not already have PQ1 they have to successfully complete the consolidation module before undertaking the specialist adults modules. alongside SWK3433 or SWK 3440 and one of the Leadership and Management modules alongside SWK3432, SWK 3440 and one of the Leadership and Management modules alongside SWK3432, SWK 3433, or one of the Leadership and Management modules alongside SWK3432, SWK 3433, and SWK 3440 or IPL 3200 alongside SWK3432, SWK 3433, SWK 3440 or IPL 3100 This module has to be undertaken at the same time as SWK3425. This module has to be undertaken at the same time as SWK A curriculum map relating learning outcomes to modules See Curriculum Map attached.

7 14. Information about assessment regulations The social work programmes abide by the assessment regulations outlined in Middlesex University s Regulations. Owing to the professional nature of this programme, however, there are a number of additional regulations. Students enrolled on social work programmes are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the University s Rules on Student Conduct and Discipline, alongside the General Social Care Council s Codes of Practice and Equal Opportunities Policy. In line with the above, a student s training will be ended if their behaviour is confirmed to be damaging or dangerous to other people who use services, other students or programme providers; creates unacceptable risk for themselves or others; or shows a serious failure to follow our Codes of Practice (GSCC, 2002:22, 2005). Students are usually allowed to be referred once only in each module All components of the Programme must be successfully completed before they can be awarded the Graduate Diploma Post Qualifying Specialist Social Work Award - Adults. Fail grades are not compensated for on any social work (SWK) module A minimum of 75% attendance is required for all Social Work modules. 15. Placement opportunities, requirements and support (if applicable) Students undertaking SWK 3420 and SWK 3425, which have to be undertaken concurrently, will involve them in practice teaching and assessing social work qualifying students. Therefore to undertake these modules they have to be in a position to have a Middlesex University qualifying social work student on a 100 day placement in their adults social work employment setting. 16. Future careers (if applicable) Social Work tutors will advise students as to how they might undertake future programmes within the social work PQ framework and well as considering further mutiprofessional education and training offered by Middlesex University. 17. Particular support for learning (if applicable) The social work programmes make effective use of the University student support services and the Learning Resource Services. 18. JACS code (or other relevant coding system) 19. Relevant QAA subject benchmark group(s) L500 Programme Code 189L502 Social Work 20. Reference points Department of Health (2002) Requirements for Social Work Training, London: Department of Health

8 General Social Care Council (2002) Accreditation of Universities to Grant Degrees in Social Work, London: General Social Care Council General Social Care Council (2002) Codes of Practice for Social Care Workers and Employers, London: General Social Care Council General Social Care Council (2005) Post-qualifying Framework for Social Work Education and Training, London: GSCC General Social Care Council (2006) Specialist Standards and Requirements for Post Qualifying Social Work Education and Training: Social Work with Adults. London: GSCC GSCC and TOPPS England (2002) Guidance on the Assessment of Practice in the Workplace, GSCC and TOPPS England. Middlesex University (2007/8) Learning and Quality Enhancement Handbook, London: MU Middlesex University (2007/2008) University Regulations, London: MU Middlesex University (2006) The Learning Framework, London: MU Quality Assurance Agency (2000) Subject Benchmark Statement for Social Work London: QAA Skills for Care (2005) Common Induction Standards Leeds: SFC Training Organisation for Personal Social Services (2002) The National Occupational Standards for Social Work, London: Training Organisation for Personal Social Services. 21. Other information N/A Please note programme specifications provide a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve if s/he takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information about the programme can be found in the student programme handbook and the University Regulations.