Course modules
The Social Work Context (15 credits)
Explore the context of Social Work in England. Examine legal frameworks and policy contexts for social work with adults, children, young people and families. Critically reflect upon the main statutes and other legal instruments relating to social work interventions. Explore ethical and moral frameworks underpinning social work and consider the degree to which the law supports social work values and enhances or constrains ethical decision making in practice.
Preparing for Practice (15 credits)
Develop practice skills, explore the role and value base of social work, and understand service user and carer perspectives. Consider how discrimination and disadvantage relate to power and oppression. Develop your understanding of diversity in social work and evaluate the range of needs to particular groups of service users and carers. Enhance your interpersonal communication and interviewing skills.
Theories and Models for Social Work Practice (30 credits)
Explore a range of sociological and psychological theories and their application to practice. Learn about different models of assessment and consider the complexities of decision making in professional practice. Discuss different models of service user and carer involvement, emphasising the importance of partnership working. Consider professional social work values and power and critically evaluate theoretical perspectives.
Practice Placement 1 (15 credits)
Demonstrate effective use of knowledge, skills and commitment to core values in social work in a 70-day placement setting, under the supervision of a Practice Educator. Actively engage in direct work with a range of people and situations where there may not be simple, clear cut solutions. Learn from the Practice Educator, other team members, and agency colleagues.
Critical Perspectives in Social Work Practice (30 credits)
Critically evaluate the process of decision-making in social work practice. Examine how legislation, social policy, theory and reflexivity combine to inform the complex decisions needed in social work practice. Develop a deeper understanding of some of the theoretical approaches and how these relate to social work practice. Critically reflect upon your own social work practice approach.
Social Work Research (15 credits)
Understand the nature of social work research to continually evaluate what can be seen as good practice in social work. Develop the attitude of research-mindedness. Analyse the differences between quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Enhance your skills and knowledge in data collection, interpretation and analysis. Acquire the essential attributes required of a critically informed and reflective practitioner.
Social Work Dissertation (30 credits)
Design and implement a research project into a contemporary social work issue/topic of your choice, exploring its contested nature. Draw on your understanding of research methodologies, relevant theoretical knowledge, policy, and literature within your field of study. Critically explore the complex and conflicting relationship between research, evidence, policy, and practice in social work to form a well-reasoned debate and show an awareness of how to apply messages from research to social work practice.
Practice Placement 2 (30 credits)
Demonstrate effective use of knowledge, skills and commitment to core values in social work in a 100-day placement setting, under the supervision of a Practice Educator. Actively engage in direct work with a range of people and situations where there may not be simple, clear cut solutions. Learn from the Practice Educator, other team members, and agency colleagues.
Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our Help and Advice article.