SOS2150 Social work in the child welfare service Course description

In this course, students will acquire knowledge about the child welfare service’s tasks, framework conditions and key theoretical perspectives and knowledge traditions, with an emphasis on social workers’ vocational practice in the child welfare service. Students will gain insight into the professional methods, professional procedures and ethical problems in the various phases of a child welfare case. They will gain insight into various forms of exercise of power, as well as an understanding of the child welfare service’s unique position as a support and supervisory authority. 

The inter-professional teaching programme ‘Communication with Children, Youth and their Families’ INTER1200 will be taught at the start of the course. See INTERACT’s website for a more detailed description of the content of INTER1200: https://www.oslomet.no/forskning/forskningsprosjekter/interact

Students must have completed and passed the first year of the Bachelor’s Programme in Social Work.

After completing the course, the student should have the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge 

The student: 

• is familiar with key elements in the history of child welfare and its development 
• has knowledge of the organisation of the child welfare service
• has knowledge of case processing and the design of measures pursuant to the Child Welfare Act 
• has broad knowledge of the child welfare service’s decision-making processes and follow-up of measures 

• has knowledge of important theoretical perspectives and knowledge traditions in the child welfare service. 
• has knowledge of how the child welfare service conducts work in a methodical manner using investigations and measures. 
• has broad knowledge of competence to provide care, various forms of child neglect, violence and abuse 
• has knowledge of how to contribute to participation, non-discrimination and equitable services for vulnerable children and families 

  Skills 

The student: 

• can apply professional knowledge and interact with children and young people about topics that concern their everyday lives 
• can apply professional knowledge about neglect, violence and abuse in a manner that secures the child’s best interests, participation and rights
• can apply professional knowledge to assess and clarify notifications and investigate children and young people’s care situations 

• can apply professional knowledge to implement and follow up measures under the auspices of the child welfare service 
• can demonstrate flexibility in questions relating to approaches, decisions and measures during the different phases of a child welfare case
• can acquire new knowledge and research in line with evidence-based practice

General competence 

The student:

• can apply discretion and judgement in child welfare cases 
• has insight into various forms of exercise of power and the child welfare service’s unique position as a support and supervisory authority.
• has insight into ethical problems and dilemmas in interactions between children, parents and the child welfare service 
• can reflect on their own role and understanding partners’ positions 

Teaching methods vary between lectures and student-active learning methods.

The following must have been approved in order for the student to take the exam:

1. One written coursework requirement of 3-5 pages in groups. 

The assignment will be read and assessed by another student group before the lecturer assesses the assignment, with the fellow students’ comments enclosed, as either approved/not approved. Students are obliged to participate with equal contributions.

The coursework requirement must be completed and approved by the given deadline in order for the student to take the exam. If the coursework requirement is not approved, the student will be given the opportunity to submit an improved version once by a given deadline.

An individual written home exam, 72 hours. The answer paper should be 8-10 pages long. Font and font size: Calibri 12-point. Line spacing 1.5. The approved citation style APA for assignments must be complied with. The point of departure for the exam is a case study, which will be published one week before the first day of the exam. Candidates who fail or who were absent from the ordinary exam for a valid reason can take a resit/rescheduled exam. 

All aids are permitted as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

Grade scale A-F.

All exam papers are assessed by one internal and one external examiner.

Tina Gerdts-Andresen og Janne Thu Ilstad