Introductory description

This module provides an overview of the key skills required of a professional social worker, in order to adhere to professional and organisational requirements in the workplace. It will be built upon in Year 2 with a further module exploring the interpersonal skills needed in social work practice.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Module launch – professional communication by introduction, telephone and email.
Formative skills practice, and skills of assessment.
Professional recording and support planning.
Defensible and ethical decision-making and support planning.
Delivering oral evidence and court skills.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Identify the key skills which are required of a professional social worker.
• Recognise the difficulties which can exist in implementing key skills.
• Demonstrate awareness of the link between competent professional social work and a skills base.
• Reflectively illustrate ways in which apprentices may have or have not successfully implemented key skills in practice.

Indicative reading list

Core text:
Davies, K. and Jones, R. (eds.) (2016) Skills for Social Work Practice. London, Palgrave.
Helpful texts:
Crawford, K. (2012) Inter-professional Collaboration in Social Work Practice. London, Sage.
Healy, K. and Mulholland, J. (2012) Writing Skills for Social Workers (2nd edition). London, Sage.
Koprowska, J. (2014) Communication and Interpersonal Skills in Social Work. London, Learning Matters.
Lishman, J., Yuill, C., Brannan, J. and Gibson, A. (eds.) (2018) Social Work: An Introduction (2nd edition). London, Sage.
Mantell, A. (ed.) (2013) Skills for Social Work Practice (2nd edition). London, Learning Matters.
Rogers, M., Whitaker, D., Edmondson, D. and Peach, D. (2017) Developing Skills for Social Work Practice. London, Sage
Parker, J. (2017) Social Work Practice. Assessment, Planning, Intervention and Review (5th edition). London, Learning Matters.
Teater, B. (2014) An Introduction to Applying Social Work Theories and Methods (2nd edition). Maidenhead, Open University Press.
Trevithick, P. (2012) Social Work Skills: A Practice Handbook (3rd Edition). London, McGraw-
Hill.

Subject specific skills

Apprentices will be able to identify the key skills which are required of a professional social worker.
Recognise the difficulties which can exist in implementing key skills.Demonstrate awareness of the link between competent professional social work and a skills base. Reflectively illustrate ways in which key skills may have or have not been successfully implemented in practice.

Transferable skills

These include appropriate listening and communication skills, self-awareness, emotional intelligence/empathy, problem solving, time management/organisational skills.