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PgDip Systemic Practice and Family Therapy

Academic Year 2021/22

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance and Enhancement processes as set out in the DASA Policies and Procedures Manual.

Programme Title

PgDip Systemic Practice and Family Therapy

Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)

Postgraduate Diploma

Programme Code

SWK-PD-SY

UCAS Code

HECoS Code

100503

ATAS Clearance Required

No

Health Check Required

No

Portfolio Required

Interview Required

Mode of Study

Part Time

Type of Programme

Postgraduate

Length of Programme

Part Time - 2 Academic Year(s)

Total Credits for Programme

120

Exit Awards available

INSTITUTE INFORMATION

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Social Sciences, Education and Social Work

Quality Code
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code

Higher Education Credit Framework for England
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/higher-education-credit-framework-for-england

Level 7

Subject Benchmark Statements
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/quality-code/qualifications-frameworks.pdf

Social work (2008)

Accreditations (PSRB)

Northern Ireland Social Care Council

Date of most recent Accreditation Visit 28-10-19

The Association for Family Therapy

Date of most recent Accreditation Visit 30-04-15

REGULATION INFORMATION

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

Exemption from Recognition of Prior Learning regulations (5.4) to allow full credit to be awarded to students instead of one third. Exemption from RPL regulation 4.4 to allow credit to be granted for modules which have already contributed towards an award.

Programme Specific Regulations

Entry to Year 2 Systemic Practice and Family Therapy (PG Diploma): Students who have completed an Association of Family Therapy (AFT) accredited Foundation level programme in another institution should be eligible for admission to Year 2 Systemic Practice and Family Therapy with the full 60 CAT point credits (where appropriate).


Records of Agency Practice
cover sheet detailing make-up of 60 hours Systemic Practice evidenced (individual/family/other systemic activity), signed by student and line manager
• records of 60 hours Systemic Practice using template provided, verified by Line
Manager. These should take the form of brief reflections on your application of systemic theory and practice, including clear identification of practice learning.

• Verification of 10 hours systemic supervision (individual or small group) signed by the student’s Systemic Supervisor. Please note that these hours of systemic supervision should not be included in your 60 hours of agency practice.

• Confirmation from the Systemic Supervisor regarding the constructive use of the supervision by the student

Students with protected characteristics

N/A

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

Yes
Students subject to University Fitness to Practise Regulations, in conjunction with those of their professional accrediting body.

EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF PROGRAMME

Aims of Intermediate Level Training are that students:
1. Are provided with knowledge of theories underpinning systemic family practice and their application to specific areas of work.
2. Develop critical reading and knowledge of the theoretical and research literature relating to systemic family practice.
3. Develop understanding of the links between systemic theory and practice and other therapeutic approaches.
4. Develop the ability to integrate the core principles of systemic family practice into systemic practice in the context of a therapeutic relationship with at least one client group; formulate a therapeutic plan; carry out systemic interventions and manage therapeutic endings.
5. Develop ability to work systemically taking into account evidence based systemic practice models.
6. Develop a self-reflexive and ethical approach to systemic work.
7. Develop sound foundations of systemic knowledge and practice for those students wishing to undertake Qualifying Level and further training.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Specific area: develop the range of knowledge and skills associated with competence 'in depth' in a specific area of work.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Teaching and learning methods to achieve Cognitive Skills are commensurate with adult learning theory and entail formal lecturing, student led learning, small group work, role play, IT based learning, tutorials, seminars, workshops.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment methods include written assignments, case studies, oral presentation, reflective practice learning portfolio including evidence of 60 hours of systemic practice.

Specialist area: complex decision-making and high levels of professional responsibility and accountability.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Teaching and learning methods to achieve Cognitive Skills are commensurate with adult learning theory and entail formal lecturing, student led learning, small group work, role play, IT based learning, tutorials, seminars, workshops.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment methods include written assignments, case studies, oral presentation, reflective practice learning portfolio including evidence of 60 hours of systemic practice.

Leadership and strategic work area: high levels of competence within field that is recognised within and without agency context.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Teaching and learning methods to achieve Cognitive Skills are commensurate with adult learning theory and entail formal lecturing, student led learning, small group work, role play, IT based learning, tutorials, seminars, workshops.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment methods include written assignments, case studies, oral presentation, reflective practice learning portfolio including evidence of 60 hours of systemic practice.

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Basic transferable skills achieved include communication, problem solving, teamwork, autonomy and personal skills, information technology, numeracy, intellectual skills, critical thinking personal reflection, researching, writing at Masters level, debating and listening, presenting, and professional confidence and competence.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Teaching and learning methods to achieve Transferable Skills are commensurate with adult learning theory and entail formal lecturing, student led learning, small group work, role play, IT based learning, tutorials, seminars, workshops, and practice learning opportunities.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment methods include written assignments, case studies, oral presentation, reflective practice learning portfolio including evidence of 60 hours of systemic practice.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Demonstrate a systematic understanding of their own practice and a critical awareness of current issues and challenges in the context of relevant Codes of Practice (depending on Pathways, see below), professional ethics, the principles of diversity, equality and social inclusion in a wide range of situations;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Teaching and learning methods to achieve knowledge and understanding requirements are commensurate with adult learning theory and entail formal lecturing, student led learning, small group work, role play, practice learning opportunities, IT based learning, tutorials, seminars, workshops.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment methods include written assignments, case studies, oral presentation, reflective practice learning portfolio including evidence of 60 hours of systemic practice.

Use evaluation to systematically develop and improve their specific learning and practice, including implementing effective practice in inter-professional and inter-agency contexts;

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Teaching and learning methods to achieve knowledge and understanding requirements are commensurate with adult learning theory and entail formal lecturing, student led learning, small group work, role play, practice learning opportunities, IT based learning, tutorials, seminars, workshops.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment methods include written assignments, case studies, oral presentation, reflective practice learning portfolio including evidence of 60 hours of systemic practice.

Take responsibility for continuing professional development making use of professional and managerial supervision, consultation and other professional support as appropriate to identify and address issues; develop, implement and evaluate plans; and continue to advance knowledge and understanding in order to improve practice.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Teaching and learning methods to achieve knowledge and understanding requirements are commensurate with adult learning theory and entail formal lecturing, student led learning, small group work, role play, practice learning opportunities, IT based learning, tutorials, seminars, workshops.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment methods include written assignments, case studies, oral presentation, reflective practice learning portfolio including evidence of 60 hours of systemic practice.

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Knowledge
At the end of the course graduates will be able to:
AFT LO1: Demonstrate an understanding of a range of theories from systemic practice and family therapy including their theory of change and main interventions in current systemic practice.

AFT LO2: Critically discuss issues of power and difference in all aspects of systemic practice and describe responses to these issues informed by the AFT Code of Ethics and Practice.

AFT LO3: Articulate the theoretical basis, research and evidence base for systemic practice in their current professional practice.

AFT LO4: Effectively use supervision and take a reflective and pro-active approach to personal learning.

AFT LO5: Have a basic understanding of at least one manualised evidence based approach and the principles of its application to practice.

Theory into Practice
AFT LO6: Convening systemic practice meetings with individuals, couples, families and other relationship groups including children.

AFT LO7: Working collaboratively to identify overall goals and the agreed focus for systemic interventions.

AFT LO8: Developing and maintaining the therapeutic alliance with more than one family member.

AFT LO9: Conducting a systemic assessment of presenting issues including identification of different perspectives, patterns of responses and meanings held in relation to the problem, the history of the presenting problem in relation to family relationships, family events, external contexts and wider social discourses.

AFT LO10: Helping clients to identify their own strengths and resources (including problem solving skills) and explore with clients how they may be of use and strengthen them.

AFT LO11: Developing a broad systemic hypothesis of the presenting problems in relationship to the individual/s or family and their context including their own observer perspective, and reviewing this throughout the work.

AFT LO12: Using visual presentations of relationships and contexts including family genograms, eco-maps and timelines in systemic practice.

AFT LO13: Gaining new perspectives through techniques including questioning, reflection, reframing, externalising and scaling.

AFT LO14: Tracking and working with behavioural processes and problematic communication patterns within the session.

AFT LO15: Understanding and managing ethical issues relating to systemic practice with individual/s or families including consideration of the impact of their own personal and professional issues on the work and issues of power and difference.

AFT LO16: Providing progress reviews using formal measures and in session review.

AFT LO17: Managing endings effectively including collaborative decision making about timing and reviewing of the work with the individual/s or family.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Subject-specific skills will be taught in class using above methods. In addition, there are clinical practice hours requirements (usually in the candidate’s workplace).

Methods of Assessment

Assessment methods include written assignments, case studies, oral presentation, reflective practice learning portfolio including evidence of 60 hours of systemic practice and letter of confirmation of the use of supervision from the Supervisor.

MODULE INFORMATION

Programme Requirements

Module Title

Module Code

Level/ stage

Credits

Availability

Duration

Pre-requisite

 

Assessment

 

 

 

 

S1

S2

 

 

Core

Option

Coursework %

Practical %

Examination %

Introduction to Systemic Theory, Research and Practice

SWK8058

7

20

YES

YES

24 weeks

N

YES

100%

0%

0%

Systemic Practice Skills and their application to the work setting

SWK8059

7

20

YES

YES

24 weeks

N

YES

100%

0%

0%

Personal and Professional Development in Systemic Practice

SWK8065

7

20

YES

YES

24 weeks

N

YES

100%

0%

0%

Theory, Practive and Research in Family and Systemic Practice - intermediate level

SWK8066

7

20

YES

YES

24 weeks

N

YES

100%

0%

0%

Systemic Practice Skills and their application to the work setting - intermediate level

SWK8067

7

20

YES

YES

24 weeks

N

YES

100%

0%

0%

Personal and Professional Development in Systemic Practice - intermediate level

SWK8068

7

20

YES

YES

24 weeks

N

YES

100%

0%

0%

Notes