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for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.
| Unit name |
Leadership and Management in Social Work |
| Unit code |
SPOLM0029 |
| Credit points |
20 |
| Level of study |
M/7
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
|
| Unit director |
Dr. Mim Cartwright |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
N/A
|
| Co-requisites |
N/A
|
| School/department |
School for Policy Studies |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Description including Unit Aims
The Unit is aimed at team managers within local authority children’s services and other social work staff within children’s services who provide professional supervision and/or are working towards taking on management responsibilities. It is designed to:
- Develop students’ understanding of leadership and management in social care services for children and families, and of the factors that support effective team work
- Examine best practice in relation to professional supervision
- Support the development and improvement of leadership and management skills
- Explore current theoretical ideas about innovation and change management, and their application to practice
- Promote reflective practice and professional/organisational learning
- Critically consider relevant current research knowledge to support ethical decision-making in complex childcare practice
- Contribute to personal and professional development of both new and experienced team managers and supervisors
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of theories of management and leadership and relate these to their professional context
- Critically evaluate different approaches to professional supervision and organise and implement appropriate supervision strategies
- Critically appraise theories of organisational change and their application to practice
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of factors that build and sustain effective team work
- Critically reflect on the application of social work values within a management role
Teaching Information
The unit will be delivered through blended learning over a two-week period. It will involve one day of in-person teaching if possible, as well as synchronous/ asynchronous learning via Blackboard. Activities will include narrated presentations, self-directed learning tasks, small group exercises and group discussions to support learning and application to practice.
Assessment Information
Assessment of the Unit will take place through:
- A critical and reflective assignment (4000 words) analysing a small change project undertaken in the workplace. Confirmation of the work undertaken will be required from a suitably qualified practice assessor.
Reading and References
Gould, G. and Baldwin, M. (2004) Social work, Critical Reflection and the Learning Organisation. Aldershot: Ashgate.
Morrison, T. (2005) Staff Supervision in Social Care. Brighton: Pavillion Publishing.
Statham, D. (ed) (2004) Managing Front Line Practice in Social Care. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
