Overview
The BA (Hons) Social Work degree is the recognised professional qualifying training for social work.
Skills for Care has adopted the following definition of social work:
A profession which promotes social change, problem solving in human relationships and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well-being. Utilising theories of human behaviour and social systems, social work intervenes at the points where people interact with their environments. Principles of human rights and social justice are fundamental to social work".
International Association of Schools of Social Work and the International Federation of Social Workers (2001)
This degree provides a rigorous and challenging learning experience to prepare students at both a personal and professional level for the demanding requirements and expectations of social work.
Course Aims
This degree prepares individuals to work in the public, private and voluntary social care sectors in posts which require accountable and effective professional social work skills.
The aims of the course are:
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To develop critical and reflective social workers who can contribute to the service and employment needs of local social work and social care community
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To enable students to develop a critical understanding of the subject specific knowledge and values that underpin professional social work practice
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To enable students to develop a range of cognitive, analytical and transferable skills
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To prepare social workers who can demonstrate a critical approach to research and evidence based practice.
Module Framework
First Year Modules
Values, Ethics and Dilemas in Social Work Practice (20 Credits)
Human Growth, Development and Behaviour (20 credits)
Understanding the delivery of Social Care (20 credits)
Applied Social Sciences (20 credits)
Professional Practice Workshops
Preparation for Social Work practice (20 credits)
Communication and Interpersonal Skills (20 credits)
Second year modules
Law and Social Policy (1) (20 credits)
Assessment and Direct Practice Skills in Social Work (20 credits)
Mental Health and Wellbeing (20 credits)
Introductions to Research Methods (20 credits)
Professional Practice Workshops
Professional Practice (100 assessed days in practice) (40 credits)
Getting to Grips with Research (20 credits)
Third year modules
Dissertation (40 credits)
Professional Practice Workshops
Professional Practice (100 assessed days in practice) (40 credits)
Current Practice and Policy Developments in Social Work (20credits)
Management to Leadership in an Interprofessional Context (20 credits)
Teaching, Learning and Assessment
This degree will use a wide variety of teaching and learning strategies including lectures, seminars, small group work, observations and direct work in practice, individual and group supervision in practice settings.
The degree adopts a variety of assessment strategies including individual and group (oral) presentations, observation practice, service-user and carer feedbacks, audio or video tape recordings of practice, written assignments and portfolios.
The Timetable
The teaching is divided into two semesters, Semester One runs from September to January and Semester Two from February to June. A full time student is expected to take four modules each semester. The expected college day will be 9.30am and 4.30pm each day. A part-time student will take one or two modules each semester. Students can expect to have to attend for four hours per module for the twelve weeks of the semester and to spend at least an equivalent amount of time per week in independent study. Students will be provided with timetables when they join the course.
Placements/Work Experience
In the first year students will participate in preparation and assessment prior to commencing social work practice. In the second year each student will undertake a 100 days assessed practice placement.
In the third year each student will undertake a 100 days assessed practice placement.
Each student will be offered experience in at least two practice settings. Assessment will be by means of a combination of portfolio, direct practice observations, audio or video tape recordings of practice, self-evaluation and service-user and carer feedback.
Tutorial and Study Support
Each student will have allocated to them a personal tutor to support their degree studies and professional development. The personal tutor will meet with the students on three occasions during the placement, two of which will be in the student’s placement setting where possible. Students also receive academic tutorials and pastoral support.
Opportunities on Completion of the Course
On successful completion of the degree programme, students may choose to undertake other post-qualifying studies in social work. Career opportunities are readily available in a variety of statutory, voluntary, independent and private sector settings. There is currently a national shortage of professionally qualified social workers.