School of Education and Social Work
(Cert (PG)) Effective Practice in Integrated Children's Services
Entry for 2011
FHEQ level
This course is set at Level 7 (Masters) in the national Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.
Course Aims
There is a long and successful tradition in SWSC of offering courses/modules and programmes in continuing professional development (CPD) for social workers in children's services. With the recent move to Integrated Children's Services it is recognised that practitioners from a range of disciplines need to learn together to develop effectiveness in their new role and multi-disciplinary configuration. This programme will offer such opportunities, taught alongside the Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Specialist Practice with children, young people, their families and carers, with both based on key inter-disciplinary frameworks such as the DfES Common Core of skills and knowledge for the children's workforce.
This programme will enable candidates to develop knowledge and critical understanding of issues related to their specialised and complex roles in children's services, which is rooted in recent research evidence. There is an opportunity to develop advanced skills in observing, assessing, communicating and intervening with children, young people, their families and carers.
Course Learning Outcomes
By the end of the programme, the successful student will be able to:
1. Have demonstrated a capacity to use relevant and up-to-date research evidence, reflection, critical analysis and independent critical judgement to develop and improve their practice in a children¿s services role or roles to ensure that the Five Outcomes for Children set out in 'Every Child Matters' (DfeS) are promoted
2. Are able to critically evaluate some of the frameworks, models and skills necessary for effective practice, including the Common Core of Skills and Knowledge for the Children's Workforce
3. Use a critical knowledge and understanding of service user and carers issues to develop and implement the rights and participation of service users and carers (including children) in line with the goals of partnership, choice, independence, personalisation and empowerment.
4. Practice effectively in a context of risk, uncertainty conflict and contradiction where there are complex challenges and a need to make informed and balanced judgements.
5. Critically reflect on their role in complex change processes, including those involving service users, carers, and other professions or other agencies.
6. Meet the academic standards for work at level M in the QAA framework.
For information on the composition of this course please see either the on-line Undergraduate prospectus for undergraduate related courses or the on-line Postgraduate prospectus for postgraduate related courses.
More detailed information on the course structure and modules within this degree will be available on this page shortly.
Please note that the University will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver courses and modules in accordance with the descriptions set out here. However, the University keeps its courses and modules under review with the aim of enhancing quality. Some changes may therefore be made to the form or content of courses or modules shown as part of the normal process of curriculum management.
The University reserves the right to make changes to the contents or methods of delivery of, or to discontinue, merge or combine modules, if such action is reasonably considered necessary by the University. If there are not sufficient student numbers to make a module viable, the University reserves the right to cancel such a module. If the University withdraws or discontinues a module, it will use its reasonable endeavours to provide a suitable alternative module.