Module 1: Introduction to Social Work in Disasters (approx 4 Hours)

Preparation for Module 1 (1 hour):

Read Pyles, L. (2017) ‘Decolonising disaster social work: environmental justice and community participation’, British journal of social work, 47(3), pp.630-647.

Consider while reading:

What is a disaster?

What role do social workers have in disasters?

How would the ideas in this article shape your practice if responding to a disaster in your area?

Learning goals for Module 1

Following this Module you should be able to:

  1. Explain the role of the social worker in disaster preparedness, response and recovery,
  2. Utilise social work skills for psychosocial, practical and emotional support.
  3. Evaluate the impact of disasters on individuals, families and communities

Full details on the learning goals on which this, and other modules in this series, are based, can be found here.

We have also provided a glossary to help with the terms used throughout the training.

To complete each module you have to answer question within your workbook which can be downloaded below:

Workbook (PDF)

Workbook (MS Word)

Next section

Module 1 Structure

  1. What is a disaster?
  2. The role of social workers in a disaster
  3. Skills for disaster working
  4. The communities we support
  5. Culturally appropriate support
  6. Follow up task