Introduction

Home visiting is integral to social work practice with children and families. This module aims to increase the knowledge, resilience and skills of social workers in assessing, engaging and supporting families in the context of the home visit.

This innovative module draws on the latest research into the cognitive, emotional and behavioural aspects of social work decision-making and practice. The module is intended for child and family social workers who undertake assessment work involving home visits.

The module will cover:

The assessment of risk, need and family dynamics during the social work home visit
Relevant theory and research about professional judgement in social work, including sources of cognitive bias and error
The concept of professional resilience and strategies for managing the emotional demands of work with children and families
Skills for managing the home visit, effective communication with children and families and working with resistance
Use of self during the home visit, including use of role, appropriate authority and relationship-based engagement with children and their families

MODULE OUTCOMES

Enhanced professional judgement, including a recognition of the mechanics of decision-making, awareness of bias and ability to generate and test multiple hypotheses
Increased professional resilience, including an awareness of how emotional responses can affect decision-making
Increased confidence and skills in carrying out home visits, including the management of challenging encounters with children and families

The module addresses the following domains within the current Knowledge and Skills Statement for approved Child and Family Practitioners (KSS):

Relationships and effective direct work (KSS1)
Communication (KSS2)
Child and family assessment (KSS6)
Analysis, decision-making, planning and review (KSS7)

Teaching and Assessment

TEACHING

The module comprises two teaching days and a half-day assignment workshop. The teaching days will explore three key aspects of the home visit (sense-making, self-regulation and managing the encounter). Each teaching day will combine direct teaching, discussion and group activities. The module is accompanied by an electronic workbook containing key readings, additional reflective activities and the assignment guidelines. Guided activities included in the workbook will help students prepare for the written assignment.

ASSESSMENT

For the formative assignment, students will engage in a critical analysis of a home visit facilitated by the module leader. This will allow students to receive critical feedback and will assist them with the summative assignment for the module. For the summative assignment, candidates will submit a 4,000-word critical analysis of a home visit.

Submission of assignment: 15th June 2026 by 3pm (TBC – please check module handbook).

TEACHING DATES

Please note that a decision about whether the teaching for this module will take place face to face or online will be taken nearer the time.

Day 1: 26th February 2026 10am -4pm

Day 2: 19th March 2026 10am -4pm

Half-day essay workshop: 16th April 2026 10am -1pm

Applications

Please contact your agency Workforce Development Department about the application process. If this is your first CPD module at UEA you will need to register with UEA Admissions. If this is a second or further CPD module you will need to enrol through the Postgraduate Learning and Teaching Service:

Please ensure you have approval from your agency before you enrol.

Applications for 2025-26 open 1st December 2025 and will need to be submitted before the 31st of January 2026.

Please be aware that this module will need a minimum of 12 students in order to run and that teaching, assessment dates and venues are subject to change. All up to date information will be available via your UEA Evision account once you are enrolled onto the module.

SWK-7035B Home Visiting in Child and Family Social Work

Welcome to Norwich

Introduction

Teaching and Assessment

Applications

Staff Profiles

Dr Laura Cook