Direct Practice with Individuals

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

24 contact hours

16 hours of class preparation and reading

24 hours of assessment related tasks

= 64 hours total time commitment

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's courses. Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Course Coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

The aim of this subject will be to enhance the theoretical and skill base of direct practice in social work. Emphasis will be given to innovative and advanced approaches in line with recent developments in professional practice with individuals. The subject will be taught using interactive groups as well as formal lectures. This will enable students to participate in an opportunity to integrate and advance theoretical and practice knowledge in relation to an evidence base for psychosocial practices in the field. Lecture topics will include an appraisal of professional expertise in social work, psychosocial assessment and the therapeutic alliance. New developments in key direct practice approaches such as psychodynamic, behavioural, group work and postmodernist paradigms will be explored both from a critical theoretical and skills based perspective.

At the end of this subject, students should be able to:

• demonstrate an awareness of the dynamics of the client-worker relationship and the ways in which this relationship may be used in a self-aware and purposive manner
• demonstrate an understanding of the processes of engagement, exploration, assessment and planning in direct practice with individuals
• draw on relevant theoretical frameworks to inform practice with individuals
• demonstrate a working knowledge of human service organisations as contexts, vehicles and targets for social work practice

1. Class presentation (1,000 words, 20%)
2. Written case study (1.500 words, 30% due mid-semester)
3. Written essay (2,500 words, 50%, due end of semester)

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students who complete this subject should be able to:

• critically analyse texts and practices;
• understand recent developments in social work contexts of practice;
• link theory to practice;
• competently communicate in ways relevant to both academic and practice contexts;
• undertake independent research.