Posted: September 28th, 2016

What do you think will be the forces that social work will need to face to remain relevant in change agency and leadership?

Assessment 1: An individual paper of 1500 words
Experiencing Social Work leadership through the story of a social work leader

To enable students to recognize approaches to leadership in social work and to analyses the components of social work leadership and its impact.

This assessment is concerned with analysing the values, style and approach of leadership utilised by a social work leader. It is designed to give students the opportunity to identify different approaches to leadership, the different leadership roles undertaken by social workers and the impact of leadership.

You will need to identify a social work leader noting that the form of leadership can be practice leadership, advocacy, political leadership, formal leadership and analysis the approach the individual takes to leadership. You need to provide a rationale for your choice of the person. You need to note that context is important in leadership and you need to demonstrate an understanding of the field of practice and context the individual operates within.
Drawing on the knowledge you have developed over the course identify the rationale for selection

NB you may choose to interview a leader in your placement organization or outside it.
Possible questions might include:
What are some of the key changes you have initiated during your career and what were some of the barriers, challenges and impacts these processes might have had on you and your career?
What is it about social work as discipline that is important for creating change? eg Is it about the value and ethics base, knowledge, skills? Or is there something else that comes from choosing social work and its professional training? Or is it about the context of practice, perhaps?
What do you think will be the forces that social work will need to face to remain relevant in change agency and leadership?

Assessment
What you need to submit
A 1500 word individual paper

Details of submission
The presentation submission date is 14th October, 2016
Assessment Criteria
The words per section are given as a guide. It suggest the emphasis you should give to each area .

Identification of a social work leader including an explanation of how you drew on your social work knowledge derived you’re your course to identify this person as a leader in social work. (200 words approx) 8
Analysis of the impact on the field of practice and/or organisation and/or social issue of the leadership (300 words approx) 7
Analysis of the leaders style and approach to leadership including examples to illustrate their approach (400 words approx) 8
Discussion on how the individual’s work has impacted on social justice and social change (300 words approx) 5
Referencing and presentation 2