Social Work Pathway

SyllabusUnit 1: Preparing to Study

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand how study is organised and planned.
• Understand how to apply theories of learning in relation to personal approaches to learning.
• Understand a range of constraints upon study.
• Understand the importance of assessment feedback.

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to write with relevance in responding to an academic task.
• Know how to interpret and discuss concepts and debates in responding to a set, academic writing task.
• Be able to summarise for academic purposes, selecting key points, information or central ideas.
• Understand the role of reference, allusion and paraphrase to avoid plagiarism.

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand how to use key information sources.
• Understand why sources are acknowledged and referenced.
• Understand a range of reading strategies.
• Understand note-making methods.
• Understand how to plan draft and produce a written assignment.

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to plan a piece of research on an approved subject area.
• Be able to collect research material from different sources.
• Be able to use data to substantiate an argument.
• Be able to record sources of information.
• Be able to present research findings.

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand potential next steps in education.
• Understand key sources of information relevant to HE application.
• Understand personal HE opportunities.
• Understand the financial implications of further study.
• Know how to apply for a course.

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the sociological approach and its distinction from common sense and other social sciences.
• Understand basic concepts in sociological explanation.
• Understand contrasting sociological perspectives.
• Understand concepts and perspectives relating to a specific social institution.

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand sociological factors influencing the relationships between patients and health professionals.
• Understand the role of social motivational factors in health and ill health.
• Understand the significance of social support networks in health care and maintenance.

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand definitions of and explanations for poverty and health.
• Understand approaches to poverty and health.
• Understand the approaches to the social distribution of health chances.

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand concepts and models of health.
• Understand the social construction of health and ill health.
• Understand alternative approaches to health.

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand changes in family structure.
• Understand sociological explanations of the family to include functionalist, Marxist, feminist and interactionist views.
• Understand the nature and extent of changes within the family, with reference to gender roles, domestic labour and power relationships.
• Understand changing patterns of marriage, divorce, separation and child rearing.

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the historical development of social work.
• Understand the roles and tasks of social workers.
• Understand the legal basis of social work.
• Understand how social work services are organised in the statutory, voluntary and independent sector.
• Understand the main purposes and values of social work.

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand ethics and ethical issues in social work practice.
• Understand moral dilemmas and social work practice.

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the legal framework which identifies rights and responsibilities in relation to equal opportunities.
• Understand how individuals can be affected by oppression.
• Understand society’s and own stereotypes.
• Understand the use of positive action incountering oppression.

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand theoretical explanations for prejudice and discrimination.
• Understand legislative responses to discrimination and prejudice.
• Understand community initiatives in

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the development of social care in Britain and the importance of legislation since 1945.
• Understand the varying nature of social work provision for children and adults.
• Understand the role of the independent sector in the provision of welfare.
• Understand the welfare requirements of various groups.

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand current issues in social policy.
• Understand current legislation in relation to current issues in social policy.
• Understand the economic context of a contemporary issue.

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the historical origins of social policy in the U.K.
• Understand the key influences on social policy in the 18th and 19th Centuries.
• Understand changes in the political order.
• Understand different types of voluntary action and role of poverty surveys.

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand what is meant by the term social welfare.
• Know the purpose of the 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act and its effects on society.
• Explain and discuss early twentieth century Liberal Reforms and their effect on society.
• Recognise the significance of the Beveridge Report.
• Recognise the social problems which the Welfare State attempted to address.

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the importance of research in psychology
• Understand the main approaches in psychology.
• Understand ethical issues in psychological research.

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the major sub divisions of the nervous system.
• Understand the structure and function of glial cells and neurons.

This is only an approximate figure and is dependant upon how much time you can dedicate to your studies and how well you grasp the learning concepts in the course material. Furthermore, at the end of each lesson there is a question paper that needs to be completed and returned to your tutor. You should allow at least 1 - 2 hours of study to complete each question paper.

The approximate amount of time required to complete the course is: 360 hrs.