Social Work

This programme is for graduates and leads to the nationally recognised qualification in social work and eligibility to register as a social worker with the General Social Care Council (the GSCC will shortly transfer this function to the Health Professions Council).

On completion, students will be able to work in the full range of social work and social care organisations in the statutory, voluntary and independent sectors.

At the beginning of the programme, all students will initially enrol for the PGDip programme and either progress to the MA programme in year two (depending on the grade point average achieved in year one) or continue with the PGDip. Undertaking the MA will involve completing a 60 credit Masters dissertation in year two. The programme includes 200 days of supervised practice placements, 80 days in year one and 120 days in year two.

Although this programme is a postgraduate one, application is via UCAS. The code for this programme is L502 A MOD/SW

Aims of the programme

• To facilitate graduates to gain social work knowledge, skills and understanding and the ability to apply these to their practice. This will enable them, on qualification, to work with and support families and individuals who have challenging and complex needs.
• To develop and enhance students' ability to critically analyse the values which underpin social work, such as social justice, equality and fairness. Additionally, students will develop an understanding of social policy, current social work legislation and enhanced practice skills.
• To develop critically reflective practitioners who can demonstrate excellent communication skills, creativity and emotional resilience and deal with the complexities and challenges of the social work task.

Content

Year 1

• Human Growth and Development for Social Work Practice
• Law and Policy for Social Work
• Social Theories for Professional Practice
• Skills, Methods and Models of Social Work Practice (including an extended period of 80 days practice learning)

Year 2

• Research Minded Evidence Based Practice
• Power, Politics and Change in Social Work Practice
• Transition towards Professional Social Work Practice
• Working with Complexity in Social Work Practice (including an extended period of 120 days practice learning)
• Research Project (MA students only)