Applied Social Studies in Social Care (Add-on) – BA (Hons)

The module aims to teach the student how to conduct ethical research in the social care area, explore a particular theme and produce new cutting edge knowledge and insight in social care theory and practice. The course constitutes the process of initiating, administering, managing and completing a research project in Social Care.

The module provide students with the ability to critically evaluate care for the main groups in social care and to examine family work models that support individuals within their family and community.

Over the course of this module students will learn about Social Policy as a discipline of study, research, practice, analysis and social policy making by governments. Within contemporary society there is increasing emphasis placed on the importance of the connection between policy, practice and evidence and this has resulted in a shift towards evidence-based practice and evidence-based policymaking. Students will also learn about the significance of Comparative Social Policy to the development of the discipline of Social Policy.

Students will develop the skills of co-production throughout the module, incorporating creative art and/or drama and/or recreational approaches, to empower the social care groups through participative collaboration and co-production, in the strategic planning, activity design, management, and resources essential for social care groups or individual recipients in practical settings. A research component will inform the practical element of the assignment. This module aims to enhance the student’s practice and evaluation of co-production, coordination, teamwork, communication, critical analysis, and reflection on activities within the context of social care groups

The module will provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively run community development projects in a variety of settings.

This module provides students with theoretical knowledge of some models of counselling and psychotherapy most relevant to the field of social care. It helps students to develop their therapeutic knowledge as professional social care workers, to enable them to work more effectively with service users in social care settings. It encourages the social care student to develop an understanding of the relevance of a variety of psychotherapeutic approaches to assist service users and their families, access relevant models of treatment within a range of social care contexts (alternative care, family support, disability services, community development and youth work).

This module will allow students to critically discuss issues pertinent to advanced child protection and mandatory reporting, domestic violence and develop key skills required to apply this knowledge in practice. To further develop, the students report writing skills specific to various social care settings with a specific focus on court reports. It will help the student develop an awareness of and an ability to take responsibility for managing their own workload, own health and wellbeing, be able to engage in and take responsibility for their own professional development and CPD with specific reference to CORU registration requirements in practice. Students will be exposed to both professions specific and interprofessional guest speakers and workshops throughout the semester.

This module provides students with an in-depth, advanced level understanding of diverse concepts of development across the lifespan such as trauma and the psychology of ageing. This module affords students the opportunity to critically examine empirical research on a broad range of areas within the field of psychology from positive psychology, social psychology to the psychology of behavioural interventions. All coursework and discussions will be underpinned by application to the field of social care practice.

This module will enable students to identify the core competencies and skills required for management and leadership roles in an evolving social care landscape.  It will also enable them to acquire specialised knowledge of systematic approaches to management.  It will facilitate students to explore traditional and contemporary styles of leadership and examine the underlying principles and structures for effective performance management.  It will also encourage students to identify relevant models to support the continuing professional development of staff.

This module provides students with an understanding of the social and cultural contexts of mental health and illness, while also seeking to explore the manner in which society shapes and informs our experiences of, and responses to, mental health and illness.

This module will provide students with an opportunity to advance their knowledge and skills to work effectively with young people and substance use. The module will introduce students to theories and debates about adolescence, concepts of substance use and addiction, prevention approaches, policy and practice skills. It will engage students to critically consider this social issue and it will equip social care students to work with young people, families and communities affected by substance use.

The aim of this module is to provide students with critical understanding of old age. The module will also equip students with the necessary skills, ethical awareness  and an anti-ageist approach to work with older people  Students will be introduced to therapeutic approaches, theories for understanding old age, social transitions and positive ageing.