SWK-7034A Working with Men in Families (North)

Key Details

Module Leader and Teacher: Dr Georgia Philip
Credit value: 20 MA credits, Autumn semester
Fee: £560
Submission of summative assessment: 10th February 2025

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INTRODUCTION

This module can be taken as a stand-alone module, or the credits can be put towards the MA in Advanced Social Work. It is possible to exit from the MA in Advance Social Work with a Post Graduate Certificate (60 credits) or Post Graduate Diploma (120 credits).

This module aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of social workers to encourage them to work more confidently and effectively with men in families. Research indicates that men are rarely fully engaged and can easily slip from view in work with children and families. If professionals do not engage and involve men, assessments may not accurately reflect the balance of risks or resources presented by men in relation to children they care for. The lack of a full assessment of this kind potentially endangers children and excludes men. Research findings will be used in the module to understand the perspectives and experiences of men and their encounters with the wider world of child welfare and child protection specifically. The value of understanding men’s life narratives, including of separation and loss, aids safer, more inclusive relationship-based practice.

The module is suitable for experienced practitioners working in any children and families setting (for example child in need, edge of care and child protection teams, as well as residential and foster care, children with disabilities teams etc.)

The module will engage with relationship and strengths-based approaches.

The knowledge base will include:

Sociological research about gender and contemporary family life.
Research about social and child welfare inequalities
Policy and research about men as parents and carers in different contexts

This module will address requirements for the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) and the Knowledge and Skills Statements - specifically 1) Relationships and Effective Direct Work, 2) Communication 6) Child and Family Assessment and 7) Analysis, Decision Making and Review.

TEACHING AND LEARNING
2 days of teaching followed by a half-day workshop facilitated by the module leader. Relevant guidance and required readings and some learning activities will be provided via the UEA online platform Blackboard. It is essential that students register for and make regular use of this.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the module you will be able to:

Critically reflect on the significance of gender difference in working with parents
Have applicable knowledge for building working relationships with fathers or father figures
Critically reflect on the barriers and opportunities for engaging fully with fathers.
Plan more effective support for men’s parenting, to provide better outcomes for children
Understand the challenges and opportunities for working with fathers not living with their children.
Understand the value for practice of current research on fatherhood and father engagement.

TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT

ASSESSMENT
The module has a formative and a summative assessment. The formative is not formally assessed but you will receive feedback that will help you prepare for the summative. The summative constitutes 100% of your mark for the module.

The formative assignment is a case study of work with a father/father figure including links to relevant research (1000 words).

The summative or final assessment is an essay (3000) and a reflective commentary (1000 words). The commentary is an opportunity to reflect on your own practice and learning from the module. The essay title is:

Why should social workers work more effectively with fathers? Discuss with reference to relevant current research.

Submission date for the summative assessment: 10th February 2025

TEACHING DATES:

The 2 full days will take place at a venue in Essex, specific location to be confirmed.

7th November 2024, 10am-4pm
21st November 2024, 10am-4pm
Workshop (Online, MS Teams): 5th December 2024 10am -1pm

HOW TO APPLY

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

Applications for 2024-25 open in June 2024 (date TBC) and will close September 2024 (date TBC).

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

Please be aware that this module will need a minimum of 12 students to run.