Social Work – MA

This module is designed to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the foundational principles, theories, and practical skills essential for effective social work practice. It explores and critically analyses key social work theories, frameworks, and models that underpin professional practice, including Relationship-Based Practices; Person Centred Approaches; Systems Theory; Strengths-Based Theory; Trauma Informed Approaches; Crisis Intervention, and so on, enabling students to integrate theoretical concepts into practical applications.

This module provides students with a critical analysis of the core theoretical and practice components for professional practice on placement. The module centres on developing a self-reflexive student who has essential knowledge, values and skills to work effectively with individuals and families. A central feature of the course is to ensure that students critically reflect on the interplay between the sense of self and professional social work practice. A main aim of the module is to develop a reflexive practitioner who can engage empathically with service users while showing evidence of effective use of interpersonal skills and personal/professional development.

A central part of the module focuses on direct safeguarding and risk assessment work with children and families employing both Children First, (2017) and Signs of Safety. The student is expected to understand relevant statutory mechanisms that serve to recognise, record and assess salient child protection and adult safeguarding concerns.

The aim of this module is to provide an introduction to the Irish legal system, the Irish Courts System, sources of law, reporting for social workers, an in-depth understanding of Child Law in Ireland and an opportunity for students to develop analytical and oral communication skills; This module will cover such topics as: Introduction to the Irish Legal System including the Irish courts and how they operate, rules of evidence in court; sources of law; the Irish Constitution and children; international law on the rights of children; the Child Care Act 1991; Guardian ad Litem; mandatory reporting of child protection concerns.

The Applied Sociology and Social Policy for Social Work module provides an in-depth exploration of the fundamental principles of sociology and social policy, with a specific focus on their relevance and application within the field of social work. Through a multidisciplinary lens, this module examines the intricate interplay between social structures, policies, economics, politics, interpersonal relationships and individual experiences, equipping students with essential knowledge and skills for effective social work practice within diverse communities.

This module delves into key sociological theories and concepts on topics such as social stratification, socialisation, deviance, racism, gender, power relations, etc., and applies these to the challenges faced by social work clients with regards to their health, well-being and any inequities they may face. Students will critically analyse how sociological forces influence the formulation and implementation of social policies, particularly those pertaining to welfare, health, education, and social justice.

Placement 1 takes place over semester one and two of year one for full-time students (and year two, semesters 1 & 2 for part-time students). In Placement 1, 436 hours of the overall 1000 placement hours requirements will be completed, with the remainder completed in Placement 2.

The placement module is a vital component of professional social work training. The placement offers the opportunity to put the many concepts from the programme into practice, while under the supervision of an appropriately qualified practice teacher.

Placement 1 takes place over semester one and two of year one for full-time students (and year two, semesters 1 & 2 for part-time students). In Placement 1, 436 hours of the overall 1000 placement hours requirements will be completed, with the remainder completed in Placement 2.

The placement module is a vital component of professional social work training. The placement offers the opportunity to put the many concepts from the programme into practice, while under the supervision of an appropriately qualified practice teacher.

Underpinned by the values and ethics of the social work profession, this module prepares students to critically analyse and respond to the multiple person-in-environment factors that influence human development and behaviour over the lifespan. Bio-psycho-social, sociocultural and social dimensions of psychological and sociological theories and perspectives will be explored via an inclusive lens, which examines assumptions made regarding traditionally marginalised and stereotyped populations.

At the conclusion of the module, students will have a clear understanding of the benefits and challenges of applying various lifespan theories to their practice with diverse client populations and systems; will understand the ways in which dominant ideologies have impacted lifespan development theories; use their critical understanding of the value of social justice to carefully conduct assessments that reflect the strengths and limitations of theory; be able to defend a position in relation to social work values and ethics; be able to advocate for change in support of client and system well-being.

This module focusses on the wellbeing of the social work practitioner and will equip students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to enhance their personal and professional resilience. The module is designed to explore and enhance the physical, emotional, and professional wellbeing of social work practitioners. Its aim is to help students recognise the demanding nature of social work and aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and self-awareness necessary for maintaining personal and professional balance while engaging in the complexities of social work practice.

The aim of this module is to provide learners with the knowledge, skills and competencies to interpret, conduct and design research for social work. This module will introduce the forms of research used within social and academic research, presenting exemplars of published research, quantitative and qualitative research methods, methodological design considerations and analytical techniques. Learners will develop a research proposal and systematic review which can be utilised for the Research Dissertation.

On successful completion of this module, students will have an advanced knowledge of Irish law as it applies to the social work profession. This module will address areas of relevant law where social work clients are involved with the law, including child welfare, the Child Care Act 1991; special care orders, placement and fostering of children, aftercare; guardianship, custody, access and children in family law cases; adoption, surrogacy, domestic violence, maintenance, and in cases of divorce and separation; disability law, mental health law, capacity and older people and the law are also considered.

Effective interprofessional teaming & collaboration is an essential component of professional social work practice. This module is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of collaborative and integrated approaches to professional social work practice within the broader context of interdisciplinary teamwork. It emphasises the importance of effective communication, shared decision-making, and collaborative problem-solving across diverse professions involved in the delivery of social services, working within the bounds of confidentiality.

This module supports the student in developing an awareness of the scope of the social work profession, and an understanding of the roles of other professionals in supporting the service user. It challenges students to evaluate the effect of their own characteristics, values and practice on interactions with service users and to critically reflect on this to improve their practice.

An essential requirement as a social work professional, is one’s ability to work effectively with and within groups, families and communities in a variety of settings. The ultimate aim of this module is to develop this ability. This will begin by providing students with an understanding of the development of group work and community work as a way of working with vulnerable and oppressed populations including, for example, children, adolescents, those impacted by mental health issues, addiction, domestic abuse, trauma and foster care, etc.

Throughout the module, students will develop an understanding of the different types of groups and communities in social work practice. Particular emphasis will be placed on the development of the necessary skills for facilitating groups, working with communities and analysing group processes. In this way, this module will be a significantly experiential module.

The aim of this module is to provide learners with the knowledge, skills and competencies to interpret, conduct and design research within the discipline of social work. This module introduces the forms of research used within social work and presents exemplars of best practice in published research, evaluation, quantitative and qualitative research methods, methodological design considerations and analytical techniques. This module will provide students with the skills and knowledge to design, implement and communicate an applied research project, which demonstrates critical awareness of current problems, international best practice and innovative insights within the field of social work.

Engagement in and completion of practice placement modules are an essential element in the Master of Art in Social Work. There are two practice education placements comprising a total of 1000 hours on placement in approved social work practice.

This second placement occurs during Semester 2 of Year 2 for full-time students (or Year 3 for part-time students) and will consist of 564 hours of practice placement in a Social Work setting under the supervision of a Professionally Qualified Social Worker known as the Practice Educator.