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Comments/notes

Title

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Parenting in the Context of Adult Difficulties
Code / SSM224
Level / 7
Credit rating / 15
Pre-requisites / For this 15 credit module, practitioners will normally be studying for a Higher Specialist Social Work award and will be normally engaged in practice relevant to the content of the module for a minimum of 15 hrs per week
20c version normal GPHSS entry requirements, plus relevant practice experience
Type of module / Intensive
Aims / The module aims to equip students with a detailed knowledge of the research and practice issues related to parents who have a range of difficulties and experiences which may or, may not, interact with their role as a parent in providing the care – physical and emotional, which child(ren) need to ensure physical and developmental well-being. Issues examined include: parental mental health difficulties; substance use; learning difficulties; long term consequences of child abuse; domestic violence) The module aims to explore also the research and practice issues relating to a range of aspects of child abuse. In addition, the module will enable students to critically apply knowledge to an understanding of the complexities inherent in this area.

Learning outcomes

/ On successful completion of the module students will have:
  1. Critical and in-depth knowledge (including research evidence) in relation to parenting in the context of particular issues as an adult and synthesis of this knowledge to own area of practice
  2. Systematic and critical evaluation of key themes in relation to parenting and the particular issues examined
  3. Critical discussion of the impact of developmental experiences in childhood (including experiences of child abuse) and later adult functioning
  4. Systematic and critical evaluation of needs for support and protection in relation to the issues examined, and critical discussion of the legislative and policy frameworks through which these might be met

Content / The sessions will include a range of the following:
Introductory, Historical and contextual issues:
  • Developmental issues and theoretical models for understanding abuse
  • Histories of child abuse, professional ‘discovery’ of child abuse
  • Aspects of recording and defining abuse
  • Professional enquiries
Specific parental contexts and critical perspectives:
  • Parental mental health and parental learning disabilities
  • Links between childhood experience of abuse and adult functioning
  • Effects of child abuse
  • Substances misuse
  • Domestic violence
  • Child death
Frameworks for support, protection and safeguarding:
  • Children Act 1989; Children Act 2004
  • Working Together
  • Integrated Children’s Services
Implications for Children
Teaching and learning strategies /

Lectures and other presentations will introduce students to key material. However, seminars and small group discussions will be key in order for students to examine issues in depth in relation to their own particular interests and areas of practice. Indicative Hours

Contact 25
Directed/self directed/private 125
Study/ assignment preparation
Total 150 hrs
Learning support / Adcock, M. and White, R. (1998) Significant Harm; Its management and outcome .Significant Publications.
Barnett, A. 1999 ‘Disclosure of Domestic Violence by women involved in child contact disputes. Family Law. 29: 104
Corby.B, (2000) Towards a knowledge base. Buckingham.OUP.
Dale,P. (1999) Adults abused as children: Experiences of counseling and psychotherapy. London: Sage
Department of Health (2000) Assessing children in need and their families. London: HMSO
DfES/ DH/ HO (2003) Every Child Matters London HMSO
DfES/ DH/ HO (2003) Keeping Children Safe, London HMSO
DoH(1999) Working Together to Safeguard Children: a guide to interagency working.London Stationary Office.
Edleston, J.L. 1999. ‘Children’s witnessing of adult domestic violence. Jounral of Interpersonal violence. 14: 839
Featherstone,B. (2003) Family life and family support: A feminist analysis. Basingstoke: Palgrave
Fergusson, D. and Horwood J.1998 ‘Exposure to interparental violence in childhood and psychosocial adjustment in young adulthood’. Child Abuse and Neglect. 22: 339
Fontes,L.A .(2005) Child Abuse and Culture: working with diverse families.London Routledge
Howe,D. (2005) Child abuse and neglect: attachment, development and intervention. Basingstoke: Palgrave
James,A. and Prout,A. (1997) Constructing and reconstructing childhood: contemporary issues in the sociology of childhood. Falmer Press
Korbin, Anetzberger,G. and Austin,C. (1995) Intergenerational cycle of violence in child and elder abuse. Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect 7(1): 1-15
Lamb,S. (Ed) 1999 New versions of victims: feminists struggle with the concept. London: NYU Press
Laming H (2003) The Victoria Climbié Inquiry, London, HMSO
Lawrence A (2004) Principles of Child Protection. Management and Practice, Buckingham, OUP
Lyon.C.(2003) Child Abuse. Bristol Family law.
McShane,M. and Williams,F. (1992) Radical victimology: A critique of the concept of victim in traditional victimology. Crime and Delinquency. 38(2): 258-272
O'Dell,L. (2003) Distinctly different? Descriptions of the sexually abused and 'non abused' child. Educational and Child Psychology 20(1): 22-33 (Special edition critical approaches to child protection)
Reavey,P. and Warner,S. (Eds) 2003) Child sexual abuse: Dsiputed knowleges, contested understandings. London: Routledge
Stroud J. and Pritchard C Stroud J and Pritchard C (2001) 'Child homicide, psychiatric disorder and dangerousness: A review and an empirical approach', British Journal of Social Work, 31, pp249-269
Assessment tasks / A 2.500 word essay on an area of interest (testing learning outcomes 1-4). The essay will require:
  • A critical application of knowledge, theory and research
  • A reflective critical and evaluative analysis of a particular issue in relation to parenting, drawing on appropriate theories and empirical evidence.

Brief description of module content and/or aims (maximum 80 words) / The module gives students an in-depth understanding of issues in relation to parenting in the context of particular difficulties in adulthood (e.g.parental mental health difficulties; substance use; learning difficulties; long term consequences of child abuse; domestic violence) the implications of these factors for the development and protection of children are examined also. The historical and professional discovery of child abuse is explored as are framewhorks for supporting parents, children, youngpeople and families. The module draws on a range of theoretical perspectives and research evidence in order to provide students with a detailed knowledge in this area
Area examination board to which module relates / SASS PQ SW Combined AEB/CEB
Module team/authors/
coordinator / Lindsay O’Dell, Julia Stroud, Darren Britt . Lindsay Hill, Fiona Maiinstone
Semester offered, where appropriate / 2
Site where delivered / Falmer
Date of first approval
Date of last revision
Date of approval of this version
Version number
Replacement for previous module
Field for which module is acceptable and status in that field / SASS PQ SW Programme
Course(s) for which module is acceptable and status in that course / PGDIp Higher Specialist Mental Health Social Work O/M
PGDip Higher Specialist Social Work with Adults O/M
School home / School of Applied Social Science, Faculty of Health, University of Brighton
External examiner / Alan Butler, University of Leeds