Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module students should be able to (a) understand why being knowledgeable about human development and behaviour is important in social work practice, (b) demonstrate an understanding of key theories underpinning social work practice, and (c) demonstrate the link between theory and practice.

CORU Standards of Proficiency
The module content will contribute to enabling students to begin meeting CORU standards, including the following:
Domain 1: Professional Autonomy and Accountability
2. Be able to identify the limits of their practice and know when to seek advice and additional expertise or refer to another professional
3. Be able to act in the best interest of service users at all times with due regard to their will and preference
18. Recognise personal responsibility and professional accountability for one’s actions and be able to justify professional decisions made
20. Understand the principles of professional decision-making and be able to make informed decisions within the context of competing demands including those relating to ethical conflicts and available resources
Domain 2: Communication, Collaborative Practice and Teamworking
1. Be able to communicate diagnosis/assessment and/or treatment/management options in a way that can be understood by the service user including non-voluntary service users
3. Recognise service users as active participants in their health and social care and be able to support service users in communicating their health and/or social care needs, choices and concerns
9. Be able to express professional, informed and considered opinions to service users, health professionals and others e.g., carers, relatives in varied practice settings and contexts and within the boundaries of confidentiality
12. Understand the need to work in partnership with service users, their relatives/carers, guardians and other professionals in planning and evaluating goals, treatments and interventions and be aware of the concepts of power and authority in relationships with service users
Domain 3: Safety and Quality
1. Be able to gather all appropriate background information relevant to the service user’s health and social care needs
2. Be able to justify the selection of and implement appropriate assessment techniques and be able to undertake and record a thorough, sensitive and detailed assessment
4. Be able to analyse and critically evaluate the information collected in the assessment process
5. Be able to demonstrate sound logical reasoning and problem-solving skills to determine appropriate problem lists, action plans and goals
6. Be able to demonstrate an evidence-informed approach to professional decision-making, adapting practice to the needs of the service user and draw on appropriate knowledge and skills in order to make professional judgements
8. Be able to evaluate intervention plans using appropriate tools and recognised performance/ outcome measures along with service user responses to the interventions. Revise the plans as necessary and where appropriate, in conjunction with the service user
Domain 4: Professional Development
1. Be able to engage in and take responsibility for professional development
Domain 5: Professional Knowledge and Skills
1. Know, understand, and apply the key concepts of the domains of knowledge which are relevant to the profession for individuals, groups, and communities
2. Demonstrate a critical understanding of social work theory, methods and skills, social policy and social research, including consideration in a global context
3. Have a critical understanding of sociology, psychology, human growth and development, health, law, economics, and political science
14. Critically understand the concepts and frameworks that underpin a range of individual counselling theory and skills; theory and practice of working with children and families; community work theory and practice and group work theory and practice
16. Critically understand the capacity of system-level change to improve outcomes, access to care, and delivery of services, particularly for marginalised groups
21. Know and critically understand the principles, ethics, and applications of scientific enquiry, including the evaluation of treatment/intervention efficacy, the research process and evidence-informed practice
22. Demonstrate skills in evidence-informed practice, including translation of theory, concepts, and methods to professional practice

Not applicable to this module.

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

Individual feedback will be provided which will comment on content, critical thinking and presentation.