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Gathering information

This e-learning resource uses a video scenario to help the user develop observation, listening and interviewing skills and to become more aware of its own subjectivity. Different ways of asking questions will be considered in more depth and there is an opportunity to try out some creative approaches to gathering information using diagrams or art-based tools.

Using play and the creative arts to communicate with children and young people

Children and young people communicate in ways which are different from or additional to those used by adults This resource begins by exploring some of the reasons why children and young people communicate in these additional and alternative ways. It then goes on to describe ways of using stories, art work, creative writing and music as forms of communication.

What resources can you access to help you support families?

Research on families involved with child protection services in the United Kingdom reveal that many the families all share the common experiences of living on a low income, suffering housing difficulties, and social isolation. The children and families experiencing these factors may often feel that they have few choices available to help them. This learning object explores the complex issues that often surround these children and families.

Values, parenting and professional roles

All of us who work with families carry into our work a whole set of beliefs and values about family life and how children should be cared for. This learning object is designed to make you aware of these personal values and how they might impact on your practice. This learning object explores the way that personal values can effect the way you deal with families and seeks to help make practitioners aware of the impact and implications that this can have. You will be asked to capture your initial thoughts relating to 3 case study images depicting different aspects of family life.

The Law-Practice Relationship

This learning object is suitable for use in conjunction case studies once students have appreciated the basic framework of the legal rules. These materials raise awareness of: the complexity of the relationship between law and social work in practice; the breadth of legal knowledge necessary for effective practice; the fact that law cannot be seen in isolation from values, and must be subject to critical analysis; how different options for practice balance legal rules, moral rules and individual and collective rights.

Attitudes and Images of Ageing

This learning object is about ways in which people's experience of ageing and mental health are shaped by society's attitudes to older people and later life. You will consider the way age-related images and ideas, displayed in the media and in everyday language, shape our perceptions; but also what we know about older people's own attitudes and aspirations. This object also contains a self-assessment section where you can test how far you have assimilated the key messages from this learning object.

Poverty is...

This learning object introduces you to definitions of poverty and social exclusion, key facts and figures about poverty and its effects in the UK. After thinking about meanings of poverty and social exclusion in the Introduction, you will have the chance to do a Quiz which is based on government figures on child poverty from 2004 to 2005 (because of the complexity of the data collection process these are the most recent available). This learning object also includes a series of video interviews with services users.

Protecting Children and Young People in Dumfries and Galloway : Dumfries & Galloway Child Protection Committee Annual Report 2005 - 2006 and Business Plan 2006 - 2007

The Annual Report sets out the achievements and challenges in the year 2005 to 2006. The Business Plan sets out the range of objectives for the Committee for the year 2006-2007.

The Body of Law

This learning object is suitable especially for an opening module, enabling discussion of the legal system. The Body of Law will make students aware of: how law is made; how social issues may be reflected in the legal rules; how the legal rules reflect the society of which they are a part; the relationship between national and international jurisdictions; the role of the judiciary and of case law; the separation of powers.