The Purpose Of The Case Study Social Work Essay

The purpose of the case study is to provide the student with the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to analyse and evaluate the use of a method of social work intervention with an individual, family, or group of service users, and where appropriate, the carers.

Task

In consultation with the practice teacher, tutor and where applicable the on-site facilitator, the student will select a situation where substantial social work intervention will be required. The student should carry out an assessment, choose an appropriate method of intervention and analyse and evaluate the subsequent use of the chosen method.

In undertaking this task students must:

1. Provide a summarised social history of the case, highlighting significant past and present events in the service user’s life.
2. Demonstrate the ability to select an appropriate method of intervention and offer supporting rationale for this choice.
3. Provide an analysis of their assessment, reflecting on the model used the knowledge base in relation to the service user’s situation, relevant government and agency policy and legislation.
4. Drawing on relevant theory, analyse and evaluate the processes and outcomes of the intervention for both the service user and for themselves as a student social worker. This must include:
5. An account of the use of interpersonal skills and how these informed and impacted on the effectiveness of practice
6. An examination of the influence of social work values throughout the work, including AOP
7. Present the assignment to an acceptable standard which conforms to academic conventions regarding grammar, spelling and the Harvard system for referencing cited works.

Other guidelines for the case study

1. The word limit should be no more than 4, 000 words (+/- 10%).
2. Students muststate the exact word count on the front cover.
3. The hand in date for the case study is before 10am on 14th May 2009. Late submissions require a formally agreed extension.

The On-Line Discussion Forum

Structure

Students are divided into specialist tutor groups

Specialist tutor groups are made up of students who are in the same/similar programme of care

Each specialist tutor group is headed by a specialist tutor

Details of which group students have been assigned to can be found in Appendix One

Resources

It is expected that students will participate in the on-line discussion forum once weekly. Please book the on-line slot into your diary (in the same way that you would your lecture attendance or a home visit). This way you are less likely to forget!

Your weekly submissions will be based around a series of practical tasks to help you link your learning both from semester one and your placement with the requirements of the case study.

The programme for your weekly input can be found in Appendix Two

Expectations

It is expected that:

• Students will contribute once weekly to the on-line discussion forum
• There is no word limit regarding student contributions on-line but it is expected that they will be concise contributions addressing the pre-set tasks and that these should act as an aide memoir to your case study
• Each submission should not take longer than 15 minutes to complete
• Students can visit the discussion forum whenever they wish and can make more than one weekly contribution if they wish

· In order to preserve confidentiality the on-line discussions MUST avoid references to people’s names, locations, and other specific details by which an individual might be identified (e.g. chronological histories detailing specific locations and events, specific and unusual medical conditions)

· On-line discussions are monitored by the module coordinator as well as tutors. In the event that there are concerns regarding potential breaches of confidentiality you will be asked to edit your contributions accordingly

On-line Tasks

See Appendix Two

The Recall Days

12thFebruary 2009

10am-1pm Specialist tutor groups

Specialist tutors to discuss, re-cap and provide relevant references on the following:

• Social issues and research, policy and legislation relevant to the identified social issues
• Assessment frameworks and their benefits, limitations, effectiveness
• Methods of intervention

Materials for tutors and students will be provided nearer the time.

2pm-3pm Lecture by K Winter

8th April 2009

10am-1pm Specialist tutor groups

Specialist tutors to discuss, re-cap and provide relevant references on the following:

• Processes regarding methods of intervention referring to any relevant research, practice guidelines
• Outcomes relating to methods of intervention referring to any relevant research, practice

Materials for tutors and students will be provided nearer the time.

2pm-4pm Lecture by K Winter

Module Review

The module is the subject of an annual review. The main issues arising have concerned:

• Structure and content of on-line discussion forum
• Structure and content of recall days
• Date for submission of the case study
• More teaching on group work as a method of intervention

The module has been re-structured this year to address most of the above points.

Reading Materials

It is recommended that you purchase Wilson et al. (2008) Social Work: An Introduction to Contemporary Practice, Harlow: Pearson Longman as it offers a broad guide that will help you consider the key elements of your case study including: social issues/social histories; assessment frameworks; and methods of intervention. The book also includes up to date references to policy and research. Other more specialist references will be added to QoL.

Appendix One

Specialist Tutor Group Allocation

Older people and physical health and disability (13students)

A HARPUR

Adults with learning disabilities (10 students)

TUTOR TO BE DECIDED

Family and child care (8 students)

G KELLY

Family and child care (9 students)

K WINTER

Mental health (10students)

G DAVIDSON

Appendix Two

On-line Discussion Forum Weekly Tasks