Pedagogical Practice and Social Care

The module will introduce some core proficiencies of social care as set out in the CORU Standards of Proficiency for Social Care. It will develop the students’ professional autonomy and accountability by gaining an understanding of communication, collaborative practice and teamwork. The module will address the need to gain knowledge, skills and competencies to empower students to act as social care workers in the empowerment of service users. It explores how learning occurs in informal social care settings and the role of the social care worker as social pedagogue involved in an active developmental role including devising pedagogical goals with reference to a service users' resources and potential, needs to be studied and critically analysed.

1. Understand the premise, theoretical foundation, lineage and value of experiential learning with particular reference to application in a social care context and with specific reference to the CORU Standards of Proficiency’ (Proficiencies 2.3, 5.12)

2. Devise and evaluate learning experiences and interventions to recognise service users as active participants in their health and/or social care needs, choices and concerns. (Proficiencies 2.3, 5.18)

3. Understand the principles and dynamics of group work in a range of settings and be aware of the role of different facilitation techniques to improve outcomes and enhance the participation of service users with an understanding as an experiential educator within a broad range of social care contexts. (Proficiencies 1.11, 1.12, 2.2, 2.11, 5.12, 5.13)  

4. Know, apply and demonstrate an introductory knowledge and understanding of ‘group work’ methodologies. (Proficiencies 1.11, 2.6, 4.4)

5. Comprehend, acquire and demonstrate facilitation skills with sensitivity to confidentiality and the ethical implication of their practice, and with an ability to make sound personal judgements. (Proficiencies 1.12, 1.11, 2.2, 2.11, 5.12, 5.13)