1: Prepare for, and work with individuals, families, carers, groups and communities to assess their needs and circumstances |
(A) Practice Focus | (B) To achieve the honours degree, social work students need to be able to: | (C) To achieve the honours degree, social work students need to understand: | (D) On successfully completing the honours degree, newly qualified social workers must demonstrate competence to: |
(A) Prepare for social work contact and involvement | (B1) Make effective contact with individuals and organisations for a range of objectives, by verbal, paper-based and electronic means. (B2) Gather information from a wide range of sources and by a variety of methods, for a range of purposes. These methods should include electronic searches using the Internet, reviews of relevant written materials, face-to-face, written and telephone contact with individuals and groups. (B3) Take into account differences of viewpoint in gathering information and assess the reliability and relevance of the information gathered. | (C1) Social processes (for example, poverty, unemployment, poor health, disablement, lack of education and other sources of disadvantage) that lead to marginalisation, isolation and exclusion and their impact on the demand for social work services. (C2) The significance of interrelationships with other social services, especially education, housing, health, income maintenance and criminal justice and services provided on a partnership basis. | (D1) Review agency notes and other literature relevant to the case or situation. (D2) Contact and liaise with relevant professionals and others to access additional information that can inform initial contact and involvement. (D3) Evaluate all information to identify the best form of initial involvement. |
(A2) Work with individuals, families, carers, groups and communities to help
them make informed decisions | (B4) Consider specific factors relevant to social work practice such as risk, rights, cultural differences and linguistic sensitivities, statutory responsibilities to protect vulnerable individuals and legal obligations. (B5) Clarify and negotiate the purpose of contacts and the boundaries of their involvement. (B6) Negotiate goals and plans with others, analysing and addressing in a creative manner human, organisational and structural impediments to change. | (C3) The nature of social work services in a diverse society (with particular reference to concepts such as prejudice, inter-personal, institutional and structural discrimination, empowerment and anti-discriminatory practices). (C4) The nature and validity of different explanations for the characteristics and circumstances of service users and the services required by them. | (D4) Inform individuals, families, carers, groups and communities about their own, and the organisation's duties and responsibilities. (D5) Work with individuals, families, carers, groups and communities to: - identify, gather, analyse and understand information;
- enable them to analyse, identify, clarify and express their strengths, expectations and limitations;
- enable them to assess and make informed decisions about their needs, circumstances, risks, preferred options and resources.
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(A3) Assess needs and options to recommend a course of action | (B7) Assess human situations, taking into account a variety of factors including the views of participants, theoretical concepts, research evidence, legislation and organisational policies and procedures. (B8) Analyse information gathered, weighing competing evidence and modifying their viewpoint in light of new information, then relate this information to a particular task, situation or problem. | (C5) The range of need expressed by, and attributed to, service users and their carers and the social processes by which such needs become defined. (C6) The nature and validity of different explanations for the characteristics and circumstances of service users and the services required by them. (C7) Links between definitional processes contributing to social differences (for example, social class, gender and ethnic differences) to the problems of inequality and differential need faced by service users. | (D6) Assess and review the preferred options of individuals, families, carers, groups and communities. (D7) Assess and recommend appropriate courses of action for individuals, families, carers, groups and communities. (D8) Assess needs, risks and options taking into account legal and other duties and service standards requirements. |
2: Manage risk to individuals, families, carers, groups, communities, self and colleagues |
Practice Focus | To achieve the honours degree, social work students need to be able to: | To achieve the honours degree, social work students need to understand: | On successfully completing the honours degree, newly qualified social workers must demonstrate competence to: |
(A4) Assess and manage risks to individuals, families, carers, groups and communities | (B10) Analyse the nature of risks and harm associated both with the circumstances indicating intervention and with the planned interventions themselves. (B11) Undertake practice in a manner that promotes the well-being, and protects the safety, of all parties. | (C8) The moral concepts of rights, responsibility, freedom, authority and power inherent in the practice of social workers as moral and statutory agents. (C9) Social workers' roles as statutory agents with duties and responsibilities to protect the public and uphold the law in respect of discrimination. (C10) The nature of risks and harm associated with intervention in the lives of vulnerable individuals and groups. | (D10) Identify and assess the nature of risk, its relative seriousness and the harm to which it may lead. (D11) Balance the rights and responsibilities of individuals, families, carers, groups and communities with the associated risks. (D12) Manage risk to individuals, families, carers, groups and communities over time and regularly monitor and re-assess priorities and actions. |
(A5) Assess, minimise and manage risk to self and colleagues | (B12) Practise in ways that maximise safety and effectiveness, especially in situations of uncertainty or incomplete information. (B13) Review intentions and actions in the light of foreseen and unintended consequences. | (C11) The complex relationships between justice, care and control in social welfare and the practical and ethical implications of these. (C12) The nature of risks and harm associated with intervention in the lives of vulnerable individuals and groups. | (D13) Assess and analyse potential risk to self and colleagues. (D14) Work within the risk assessment and management procedures of their own and other relevant organisations and professions. (D15) Plan, monitor and review outcomes and actions to minimise risk, stress and harm. |
3: Plan, carry out, review and evaluate social work practice, with individuals, families, carers, groups, communities and other professionals |
Practice Focus | To achieve the honours degree, social work students need to be able to: | To achieve the honours degree, social work students need to understand: | On successfully completing the honours degree, newly qualified social workers must demonstrate competence to: |
(A6) Respond to crisis situations | (B14) Think logically and systematically, even under pressure. (B15) Plan a sequence of actions to achieve specified objectives. (B16) Manage the processes of change. (B17) Meet time deadlines and comply with external definitions of task. | (C13) Models and methods of assessment in different practice contexts. (C14) Factors influencing the selection and testing of relevant information, especially where collected under time pressures. (C15) The nature of professional judgement and processes of risk assessment. | (D16) Assess the urgency of requests for action. (D17) Identify the need for statutory and procedural intervention. (D18) Plan and implement prompt action to meet immediate needs and requirements. (D19) Review the outcomes with individuals, families, carers, groups, communities, organisations, professionals and others. |
(A7) Work with individuals, families, carers, groups and communities to achieve change and development and to improve life opportunities | (B18) Communicate effectively across potential barriers resulting from differences, for example in culture, language and age. (B19) Use their knowledge of a range of interventions and evaluation processes selectively to build and sustain purposeful relationships with people and organisations in community-based and inter-professional contexts, including group-care. (B20) Implement plans through a variety of systematic processes including contracting with others. Bring work to an effective conclusion, taking into account the implications for all involved. | (C16) Psychological and physiological perspectives on individual and social development and functioning from infancy to old age. (C17) The nature and characteristics of developmental delay, disruption and trauma. (C18) Theoretical perspectives and evidence from international research on the design and implementation of effective social work intervention with a wide range of service users, carers and others. (C19) Research-based concepts and critical explanations from social work theory and other disciplines that contribute to the knowledge base of social work, including their distinctive epistemological status and application to practice. | (D20) Develop and maintain relationships with individuals, families, carers, groups, communities and others, sometimes over sustained periods. (D21) Work in a structured way with individuals, families, carers, groups, communities and others to avoid crisis situations and address problems and conflict. (D22) Apply and justify social work methods and models used to achieve change and development and to improve life opportunities. (D23) Regularly monitor, review and evaluate changes in circumstances and adapt plans accordingly. (D24) Reduce contact and withdraw appropriately from relationships. |
(A8) Prepare, produce, implement and evaluate plans with individuals, families, carers, groups, communities and professional colleagues | (B21) Make decisions, set goals and construct specific plans to achieve these, taking into account relevant factors including ethical guidelines. (B22) Apply ethical principles and practices critically in planning problem-solving activities. | (C20) Approaches and methods of intervention in a range of community-based settings including group-care at individual, group and community levels, including factors guiding the choice and evaluation of these. (C21) The nature and characteristics of skills associated with effective practice, both direct and indirect, with a range of service users and in a variety of settings including group-care. | (D25) Negotiate the services and resources to be included in plans. (D26) Identify content and actions, and construct plans. (D27) Carry out their own responsibilities and monitor, co-ordinate and support the actions of others involved in implementing plans. (D28) Regularly review the effectiveness of plans with the people involved. (D29) Renegotiate and revise plans to meet changing needs and circumstances. |
(A9) Support the development of networks
to meet assessed needs and planned outcomes | (B23) Develop effective helping relationships and partnerships with other individuals, groups and organisations that facilitate change. (B24) Consult actively with others, including service users, who hold relevant information or expertise. (B25) Challenge others when necessary, in ways that are most likely to produce positive outcomes. | (C22) The current range and appropriateness of statutory, voluntary and private agencies providing community-based, day-care, residential and other services and the organisational systems inherent within these. (C23) The significance of interrelationships with other social services, especially education, housing, health, income maintenance and criminal justice and services provided on a partnership basis. | (D30) With individuals, families, carers, groups, communities and others, identify and examine support networks that can be accessed and developed. (D31) Work with individuals, families, carers, groups, communities and others to initiate and sustain support networks. (D32) Contribute to the development and evaluation of integrated support networks. |
(A10) Work with groups
to promote growth, development and independent living | (B26) Involve users of social work services in ways that increase their resources, capacity and power to influence factors affecting their lives. (B27) Identify and use opportunities for purposeful and supportive communication with service users within their everyday living situations. | (C24) The relevance of sociological perspectives to understanding societal and structural influences on human behaviour at individual, group and community levels. (C25) Social science theories explaining group and organisational behaviour, adaptation and change. | (D33) Identify opportunities to form and support groups. (D34) Use group programmes, processes and dynamics to enhance participants' skills and promote growth, development and independence. (D35) Help groups to achieve planned outcomes for their members and to evaluate the appropriateness of their work. (D36) Disengage from groups appropriately. |
(A11) Address behaviour which presents a risk to individuals, families, carers, groups, communities and the wider public | (B28) Help people to gain, regain or maintain control of their own affairs, insofar as this is compatible with their own or others' safety, well-being and rights. (B29) Use both verbal and non-verbal cues to guide interpretation of behaviour and to assess risk. (B30) Plan for and manage situations in which there is a significant element of risk. | (C26) The complex relationships between justice, care and control in social welfare and the practical and ethical implications of these. (C27) Social workers' roles as statutory agents with duties and responsibilities to protect the public and uphold the law in respect of discrimination. (C28) Models and methods of assessment, including factors underpinning the selection and testing of relevant information, the nature of professional judgement and the processes of risk assessment and management. | (D37) Take prompt action to deal with behaviour that presents a risk to service users, their carers, colleagues or the wider public. (D38) Work with individuals, families, carers, groups, communities and others to identify and evaluate situations and circumstances that may trigger risk behaviour and to reduce or contain the level of risk. (D39) Plan and manage intervention in ways that positively change the identified risk behaviour. |
4: Demonstrate professional competence in social work practice |
Practice Focus | To achieve the honours degree, social work students need to be able to: | To achieve the honours degree, social work students need to understand: | On successfully completing the honours degree, newly qualified social workers must demonstrate competence to: |
(A12) Research, analyse, evaluate, and use up-to-date knowledge of best social work practice | (B31) Assess the merits of contrasting theories, explanations, research, policies, procedures and methods of intervention.. (B32) Employ understanding of human agency at the macro (societal), mezzo (organisational and community) and micro (inter- and intra-personal) levels. (B33) Monitor situations, review processes and evaluate outcomes. (B34) Undertake critical enquiry and review relevant literature, drawing evidenced conclusions from the data. | (C29) The characteristics of practice in a range of community-based and organisational settings including group-care. (C30) Factors influencing changes in practice within statutory, voluntary and private sector services. (C31) Relevant social research and evaluation methodologies. (C32) The place of theoretical perspectives and evidence from international research in assessment and decision-making processes in social work practice. | (D40) Review and regularly update their own knowledge of relevant legislation, policy and procedural frameworks. (D41) Use professional and organisational supervision and support to research, critically analyse, and review knowledge based practice. (D42) Implement knowledge based social work models and methods to develop and improve their own practice. |
(A13) Work within agreed standards of social work practice and ensure own professional development | (B36) Analyse and take account of the impact of inequality and discrimination in work with people in particular contexts and problem situations. (B37) Recognise and work with the powerful links between intra-personal and inter-personal factors and the wider social, legal, economic, political and cultural context of people's lives. (B38) Take responsibility for their own further and continuing acquisition of knowledge and skills. | (C33) The nature, historical evolution and application of social work values. (C34)) The processes of reflection and evaluation, including familiarity with the range of approaches for evaluating welfare outcomes, and their significance for the development of practice and the practitioner. (C35) The significance of legislative and legal frameworks and service standards, including the nature of legal authority, the application of legislation in practice, statutory accountability and tensions between statute, policy and practice. | (D43) Exercise and justify professional judgement. (D44) Use professional assertiveness in justifying decisions and uphold professional social work practice values. (D45) Work within the ethical principles and standards underpinning high quality social work practice. (D46) Critically reflect upon their practice and performance. (D47) Using supervision, consultancy and professional support, take action to meet their continuing professional development needs. |
(A14) Manage complex ethical issues, dilemmas
and conflicts | (B39) Understand and analyse the impact of injustice, social inequalities and oppressive social relations. (B40) Challenge individual, institutional and structural discrimination in constructive ways. (B41) Analyse and handle ethical dilemmas and conflicts to produce justifiable outcomes. (B42) Review ethical decisions and reflect accurately on factors influencing decision-making. | (C36) Aspects of philosophical ethics relevant to the understanding and resolution of value dilemmas and conflicts in both inter-personal and professional contexts. (C37) Knowledge of equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory legislation and policy. (C38) Factors influencing the effectiveness of conflict resolution in different settings. | (D48) Identify and assess issues, dilemmas and conflicts affecting their practice. (D49) Devise effective strategies to deal with ethical issues, dilemmas and conflicts. (D50) Act in circumstances of uncertainty and ambiguity and critically reflect on, and learn from, the outcomes. |
(A15) Contribute to the promotion of best social work practice and adapt positively to changes | (B43) Understand and manage changing situations and respond in a flexible manner. (B44) Challenge unacceptable practices in a responsible manner. (B45) Adapt their approach and practice to changes in expectation and service delivery contexts. | (C39) Conceptual links between different codes defining ethical practice and the regulation of professional conduct. (C40) The management of potential conflicts generated by codes held by different professional groups. (C41) The location of contemporary social work within both historical and comparative perspectives, including European and international contexts. | (D51) Contribute to policy review and development. (D52) Use supervision, together with other organisational and professional systems, to inform courses of action where practice falls below required standards. (D53) Work with colleagues in related professions and contribute to team and service developments. |
5: Manage and be accountable, with supervision and support, for their own social work practice within their organisation |
Practice Focus | To achieve the honours degree, social work students need to be able to: | To achieve the honours degree, social work students need to understand: | On successfully completing the honours degree, newly qualified social workers must demonstrate competence to: |
(A16) Manage and be accountable for their own work | (B46) Advance their learning and understanding with an appropriate degree of independence. (B47) Reflect on and modify their professional behaviour in the light of growing experience. (B48) Identify and keep under review personal and professional boundaries. (B49) Manage uncertainty, change and stress in work situations. (B50) Handle inter-personal and intra-personal conflict constructively. | (C42) The relationship between agency policies, legal requirements and professional boundaries in shaping the nature of services. (C43) The significance of modern communication and information technologies in the planning and management of work programmes. (C44) The nature, characteristics and boundaries of professional activity and judgement. | (D54) Manage and prioritise their workload within organisational policies and changing demands. (D55) Carry out duties using accountable professional judgement and knowledge based social work practice. (D56) Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of their programmes of work in meeting organisational requirements and the needs of individuals, families, carers, groups and communities. (D57) Use professional and managerial supervision and support to improve their practice. |
(A17) Contribute to
the management of resources and services and to closer service integration | (B51) Use information and communications technology methods and techniques for a variety of purposes including professional communication, data storage and retrieval and information searching. (B52) Understand and manipulate numbers in both statistical and financial contexts. | (C45) The contribution of different approaches to management, leadership and quality in public and independent human services. (C46) The implications of modern communication and information technology for service delivery, especially in management information systems. (C47) Basic statistical and budgetary procedures and techniques. | (D58) Contribute to monitoring the outcomes, quality and cost effectiveness of services in meeting need. (D59) Contribute to the procedures involved in purchasing and commissioning services. (D60) Contribute to managing and sharing information. |
(A18) Manage, present and share records and reports | (B53) Write accurately and clearly in styles adapted to the audience, purpose and context of the communication. (B54) Present conclusions verbally and on paper, in a structured form, appropriate to the audience for which these have been prepared. (B55) Synthesise information and lines of reasoning and sustain detailed argument at length and over time. | (C48) The statutory basis of reports and the requirement to share these with relevant parties. (C49) The legal requirements relating to data protection. (C50) The use of communications and information technology in the preparation of reports and the dissemination and storage of official information. | (D61) Maintain accurate, complete, accessible and up-to-date records and reports. (D62) Provide evidence for judgements and decisions. (D63) Implement legal and policy frameworks for access to records and reports and the protection of data. (D64) Share records with individuals, families, carers, groups and communities. |
(A19) Prepare for,
and participate in
decision-making forums | (B56) Communicate clearly, accurately and precisely (both orally and in writing) with individuals and groups in a range of formal and informal situations. (B57) Make effective preparation for, and lead meetings in a productive way. (B58) Follow and develop lines of argument and evaluate the viewpoints of, and evidence presented by, others. | (C51) The nature and characteristics of decision-making in a variety of settings. (C52) The complex relationships between public, social and political philosophies, policies and priorities and the organisation and practice of social work, including the contested nature of the latter. (C54) Issues and trends in modern public and social policy and their relationship to contemporary practice and service delivery. (C55) Factors that inhibit effective participation in decision-making within different settings. | (D65) Prepare reports and documents for decision-making forums. (D66) Work with individuals, families, carers, groups and communities to select the best forms of representation. (D67) Present evidence to decision-making forums and help individuals, families, carers, groups
and communities to understand the procedures involved and the possible and actual outcomes. (D68) Enable individuals, families, carers, groups and communities to be involved in decision-making forums. |
(A20) Work within
multi-disciplinary and cross-professional groups to contribute
to the integration of services | (B59) Act co-operatively with others, liaising and negotiating across organisational and professional boundaries, taking account of differences in identity and language. (B60) Function effectively within a framework of multiple accountability (for example, to agencies, the public, service users and others). | (C56) Relationships between agency policies, legal and regulatory requirements and professional boundaries in shaping the nature of services provided in inter-disciplinary contexts. (C57) Issues associated with working across professional boundaries and with different disciplines. (C58) Factors and processes that facilitate effective service integration and inter-agency collaboration and partnership. | (D69) Develop and maintain effective working relationships. (D70) Contribute to identifying and agreeing the goals, objectives and life-span of professional groups. (D71) Contribute to evaluating the effectiveness of professional work groups. (D72) Deal constructively with disagreements and conflict within relationships |
6: Support individuals to represent their needs, views and circumstances and to achieve greater independence |
Practice Focus | To achieve the honours degree, social work students need to be able to: | To achieve the honours degree, social work students need to understand: | On successfully completing the honours degree, newly qualified social workers must demonstrate competence to: |
(A21) Advocate with, and
on behalf of, individuals, families, carers, groups and communities to help them achieve and sustain greater independence | (B61) Act effectively with others to promote social justice by identifying and responding to prejudice, institutional discrimination and structural inequality (B62) Listen actively to service users, respond appropriately to their life experiences and understand accurately their viewpoint. (B63) Overcome personal prejudices to respond appropriately to a range of complex personal and interpersonal situations. (B64) Manage the complex dynamics of dependency and, in some settings, provide direct care and personal support in every day living situations. | (C59) The complex relationships between justice, care and control in social welfare and the practical and ethical implications of these. (C60) Social work roles as statutory agent, particularly in upholding the law in respect of discrimination. | (D73) Assess to what extent they should act as advocate for the individual, family, carer, group or community. (D74) Assist individuals, families, carers, groups and communities to access independent advocacy. (D75) Advocate for, and with, individuals, families, carers, groups and communities. (D76) Assist people who use services in the management of their affairs, including financial management and the purchase of care services. (D77) Contribute with others to enabling service users to achieve and sustain greater independence. |