FDA5082 - Children, Families and Social Policy

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
distinguish the different perspectives on childhood and the family which inform social policy;
point out key developments in relevant legislation, policies and practices and relate these to communities’ and services’ approaches;
outline aspects of UK social policy within selected contexts;
explain tensions and balances inherent in social policy formulation relating to children and families;
produce effective written debate composed with reference to sources from electronic databases.

Content:

In this module students will study:
• historical, sociological, philosophical and psychological perspectives underpinning social policy;
• the changing status of children within families and society e.g. the emergence of children’s rights;
• the changing relationship between state, children and families and impact on parental choice;
• legislation, policies and practices regarding state intervention e.g. safeguarding, early intervention;
• planning, conducting and evaluating focus questionnaires.

The module will develop confidence in accessing library resources including journal databases and in planning structure of essays.

Learning and Teaching Information:

This module will address the following Foundation Degree participants:

• Supporting Learning and Additional Needs
• Supporting Children and Families in Social Contexts.

Learning and teaching will include a range of methods such as lectures, seminars, e-working, workshops and tutorials, with emphasis on team experience and peer support, large and small group discussions, problem-solving activities and individual and paired working.

Students may be expected to draw on a range of theoretical/academic, personal and work-based resources. Course documentation, support materials and web-based materials will be available on the VLE as appropriate.

Study skills will continue to be developed. During the course of each session there will be opportunities for tutor/student interaction to meet individual needs and help develop skills, confidence, competence, knowledge and understanding relating to the aims and objectives.

Students will continue to maintain their Personal Development Log during this module and on-going self-evaluation will be part of the students’ identification of needs.

Lectures, seminars, learning activities, workshops and tutorials, e-engagement e.g. e-fora, VLE activities
Hours: 20
Intended Group size: Cohort

Flexibly delivered assessment support/e-support including tutorials
Hours: 5
Intended group size: 6-10

Work-based tasks
Hours: 25
Intended Group size: 1

Guided independent study
Hours: 150

Further details relating to assessment
Poster to allow students to illustrate an aspect of social policy change or continuity with rationale providing explanation, implications and recommendation/s. Presentation of draft poster in the final module session is a requirement. Formative feedback will inform the final submission.

Assessment:

001 Poster and rationale 2,000-word equivalent First session of following module 50%
002 Essay 2,000 words First session of following module 50%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Christine Allan
Level - 5
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 5FD1

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