Critical social work practice
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This course for social work students in Wales will support you in becoming a confident, critical, analytical and reflective practitioner – guiding you towards sources of information to interrogate and evaluate. It identifies what critical reflection is; and supports its application across a range of knowledge and practices. It provides materials for reflection on practice, looking at historical and international exemplars. It encourages research literacy and explores how research can inform practice and be used by practitioners. The course examines the nature of organisations supplying social work services, exploring how they are changing and what this means for social work practice and practitioners.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Health and Social Care.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | KZW315 |
| Credits | 60 |
| OU Level | 3 |
| SCQF level | 10 |
| FHEQ level | 6 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 5 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| 3 Interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs) |
| End-of-module assessment |
| No residential school |
Register for the course
This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees and financial support may vary by country.
What you will study
This course is the final compulsory practice learning module in the BA (Hons) Social Work (Wales). It follows on from Applied social work practice (KZW216) and its preceding module Foundations for social work practice (KZW113). KZW315 has been approved by the Care Council for Wales. It is intended that this is either the last module that you’ll complete or that you study this module at the same time as studying one of the Level 3 option modules in the social work degree.
The emphasis of the course is on supporting your independent learning through critical reflection and analysis, both of the study materials that are provided, and your own practice.
The course will be taught online via the following resources:
- an hybrid DVD/CD-ROM which features audio, video and an interactive ‘simulation’
- an online collaborative project
- eJournals
- value xchange.
You will receive the Course Reader and the DVD and CD-ROM by post.
KZW315 is composed of 12 units that are delivered online. Each unit will take you two weeks to work through. The units will direct you to the resources that you should be studying, and will include the following topics:
- critical social work practice
- professional obligations
- managing complexity
- ethical practice
- research for social workers
- leadership and management in social work practice
- understanding continuing professional development.
In addition to this study material you’ll be required to meet the Wales National Occupational Standards in Social Work laid down by the Care Council for Wales. Details concerning this can be found in published guidance from The Open University in Wales. You meet the Standards by completing a 90-day practice learning opportunity. Your practice is assessed by a practice assessor appointed by your sponsoring agency.
Vocational relevance
This course is the third and final practice module in the social work degree programme.
Entry
To study this course you must:
- be registered for the BA (Honours) Social Work (Wales) (B42) with the University
- be registered as a social work student with the Care Council for Wales
- be sponsored by your employing agency
- be working in a practice context
- have passed all your modules, including KZW113 and KZW216.
Your sponsoring agency should provide you with an appropriate practice learning opportunity (arranged in conjunction with a local authority if you are employed in the independent sector) and undertake to allow you one day a week study time for 120 credits per year. Further information for sponsoring agencies is available from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Preparatory work
You should be in discussion with the Agency Co-ordinator (and The Open University in Wales if you are employed in the independent sector) to identify a possible Practice Learning Opportunity prior to the beginning of the course.
You will receive guidance of how to get started online in your first course mailing. This will provide you with information on using your computer for OU study and working with the Computing Guide. For example, it explains how to access and use your website and online discussion forums. If you have time before the course starts, you can work through this and explore all the online services available to you.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
Sections of the courses are available on a hybrid DVD, which will allow playback of audio-visual material on a range of equipment. Students will need a PC equipped with a DVD and CD player. If you use special hardware or software you must, well before the course begins, find out whether it works with the course software.
Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader. Other alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our publication Meeting Your Needs.
You can also find information about accessible study materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Study materials
What's included
You will have access to a website through which teaching and library resources are available. Electronic versions of most of the printed study materials are provided on the website. Multimedia activities are provided both online and on CD-ROM.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave. Some of your course software will be provided on disk.
You will need internet access and a computer with Microsoft Office installed. The software on this module has some advanced features that only work in the proprietary versions of Microsoft Office. If you don't already have Microsoft Office, you can take advantage of a special educational offer.
If you have purchased a new Windows computer since 2005 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual. Please note that you cannot use an Apple Mac or Linux computer unless it is running Windows using Boot Camp or similar dual-boot system.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You’ll have two types of tutor on this course – a course tutor and a programme tutor.
The course tutor will help with the academic content of the course, mark and comment on your written work, and who you can ask for advice and guidance. Part of your tuition is delivered online so some of the contact with your tutor will be through email and online discussion forums, although phone communication may also be used. Your tutor will run six obligatory all-day workshops. These provide essential support for students to apply course concepts to their practice learning settings. As well as the six compulsory workshops, you will be expected to participate in your online tutor group discussion forum for workshop-learning consolidation exercises.
The programme tutor will provide individual support and arrange meetings in relation to your practice learning opportunities and professional development. Questions of a professional social work practice nature should be directed to the programme tutor.
The Open University in Wales will provide support and give general help and guidance with your studies. The Open University in Wales also encourages you to use the Welsh language in your studies, both formally and informally. If you would like to submit some or all of your written assignments in Welsh, you should discuss this with your course tutor, who will be able to provide you with appropriate advice and support.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.
Professional recognition
This course is one of a set of modules that together constitute an approved programme leading to a degree in social work in Wales. The degree is endorsed by the Care Council for Wales.
KZW315 is a compulsory module of the BA (Hons) Social Work (Wales), successful completion of which, when allied to all other components of the degree, will lead to registration as a qualified social worker as endorsed by the Care Council for Wales.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in January 2013. We expect it to be available once a year.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Health and Social Care.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | KZW315 |
| Credits | 60 |
| OU Level | 3 |
| SCQF level | 10 |
| FHEQ level | 6 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 5 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| 3 Interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs) |
| End-of-module assessment |
| No residential school |
Study explained
- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about distance learning with the OU.
Your questions
We may have already answered it in our frequently asked questions.
Or contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90+44(0) 845 366 60 35
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