Caring within Integrated Services module (SW50018)
Learn about the importance of care to social work, where it fits alongside other professions, and how it is experienced by those who use social work services
This module is about care and where this fits with social work and related services. Care is a central policy focus in Scotland at the moment given the Scottish Government’s proposals for a National Care Service (NCS). It is often considered alongside health and another key policy agenda is towards greater integration between the two services. The focus of the module is on adult social care and you will be introduced to a range of relevant legislation and policy.
Care is a universal experience and we all do or will encounter it as a carer or as the one cared for at some points in our lives. A central feature of this module is that it draws heavily on the perspectives of those who use services and those who work in them. Services users, carers, and practitioners are key contributors to teaching. The module is designed to foster mutually enriching dialogue between academic, practice and experiential forms of knowledge.
What you will learn
In this module, you will learn about:
- what care is, from philosophical and policy perspectives
- how care is delivered and experienced by those who receive it
- similarities and differences between care and health, which make integration more difficult than can be assumed
By the end of the module, you will:
- have developed an understanding of care as a key social work concern
- be able to consider it within legislative and policy contexts.
Assignments / assessment
Policy brief on a current social care issue
- 500 words
- Given in week 5
Final essay on key issues/debates of your choice that affect social care
- 4,000 words (100%)
The module does not have a final exam.
Teaching methods / timetable
Teaching will be through weekly classes of 2.5 hours. These allow for a range of teaching methods:
- lectures
- practitioner perspectives
- service user and carer perspectives
- small group discussion
| 1 |
Introduction to the Module - What is care? The National Care Service |
| 2 |
Integrated Services, Contributors from local authority partners talking about a Intentional Communities young adult project
|
| 3 |
Policy and Legislative Context
Formative Assessment Guidance |
| 4 |
Care in international context Culture and care |
| 5 |
User Involvement in Integrated Services
Theoretical perspectives on user/carer involvement |
| 6 |
Where does criminal justice fit in the National Care Service
Issues of care with those who offend |
| 7 |
Recent practitioner perspectives
Summative assignment briefing |
| 8 |
Issues of care and mental health
|
| 9 |
Health inequalities Issues of care with those who use substances |
| 10 | Care in intentional communities |