Accessibility statement

Practice-focussed professional learning (Year 2) - SPY00109M

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  • Department: Social Policy and Social Work
  • Module co-ordinator: Prof. Neil Lunt
  • Credit value: 10 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

Practice-focused professional learning (Year 2) allows students to reflect on the range of professional activities undertaken in relation to the 21 month CASPPER programme.

Professional requirements

N/A

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2024-25 to Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

Aims

  • Gain practical insights into social policy development, governance and delivery at local, national and international levels, including roles of public servants, public officers and research analysts.
  • Compare and contrast national & local “policy-in-theory” (e.g. legislation, White Papers, Funding initiatives etc.) with how delivered in practice and so explore implementation issues.
  • Learn how to incorporate a range of policy tools (e.g. programme evaluation, organisational culture and behavioural insights) in real-world settings.
  • Explore how 1 or more aspect of policy and delivery compares to their own country experience and professional role.
  • Gain understanding of UK public service/Third Sector organisational culture and practices through networking and engagement.
  • Understand the international agency context of social policy activities.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module a student should be able to:

  • Understand roles, contexts and professional cultures of public services (across local, national and international settings);
  • Have examined at least one issues of particular professional interest (e.g. delivery mechanisms or personnel issues such training, professionalism, motivation, recruitment and retention of volunteers);
  • Understand and identify the use and limitations of tools and techniques for diagnosing policy requirements and evaluating change;
  • Have developed written and oral skills with regards to writing and presenting for professional audiences;
  • Reflect upon their own working context and professional assumptions regarding policy development and delivery.

Module content

The Module involves the following student activities undertaken during the programme:

- Conference attendance and participation;

- Bespoke training courses and seminar attendance;

- Agency visits and professional networking;

- Masterclass attendance and participation;

- Additional writing and presentations undertaken (e.g. article preparation, talks at conferences, contributions to consultations);

- Involvement in small groups projects undertaken within the CASPPER programme.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Portfolio -Year 1&2 Activities		 N/A 60
Essay/coursework
Written Reflective Summary		 N/A 25
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
Presentation: 20 minutes		 N/A 15

Special assessment rules

Non-reassessable & Non-compensatable

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Portfolio -Year 1&2 Activities		 N/A 60
Essay/coursework
Written Reflective Summary		 N/A 25
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
Presentation: 20 minutes		 N/A 15

Module feedback

Feedback will be given in accordance with the University Policy on feedback in the Guide to Assessment as well as in line with the School policy.

Indicative reading

Goodfellow, J. (2004) Documenting professional practice through the use of a professional portfolio, Early Years, 24:1, 63-74

Alsop, A. (1995) The Professional Portfolio — Purpose, Process and Practice, Part 1: Portfolios and Professional Practice, BJOT, 58, 7,


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.