An introduction to social work

Do you want to learn more about the social work role and develop your understanding of some of the theory associated with social work practice? This free course, An introduction to social work, begins by introducing key ideas, values, the socialwork process and the skills needed for social work practice in the UK. You will then move on to look at social work with individuals. Finally this OpenLearn course considers reflective practice.Transcript

• Introduction
• Learning outcomes
• 1 Key ideas in social work
• 1 Key ideas in social work
• 1.1 Knowledge
• 1.2 Values, ethics and anti-oppressive practice
• 1.3 The social work process
• 1.4 Skills
• 2 Focusing on the individual
• 2 Focusing on the individual
• 2.1 Biography
• Your life story
• Biography as history
• Children with disabilities
• Placing biography in context
• Viewing policies in context
• Relationship-based social work
• 2.2 Identity and identities
• Self-identity
• Complex identities
• Self-definition
• Ascribed identity
• Spoiled identities: stigma
• Psychosocial theories of development
• Attachment theory and social work
• Disrupted attachments
• The impact of early experiences
• Understanding identity
• 2.3 Developing a professional social work identity
• Empathy
• Service users’ perceptions
• Values and ethical practice
• Personal values
• Social work values
• Ethics and professionalism: being accountable
• 2.4 Bringing your learning together in reflective practice
• Consolidating your learning
• Reflection as a process of integration
• Cycle of learning
• Developing your own reflective skills
• Being self-aware in reflective practice
• Developing your self-awareness
• Supervision as a tool for self-awareness
• Reflective writing
• Conclusion
• References
• Acknowledgements