BA (Hons) Social Work (GSCC Approved)

Summary 2012/13

• Join a Social Work degree ranked second in the North West for overall student satisfaction (National Student Survey, 2011);
• Study to become a professionally qualified Social Worker whilst gaining an honours degree approved by the General Social Care Council (GSCC);
• Understand the perspective of those who use the services of social workers and learn from their experience;
• Benefit from the knowledge and experience of a range of academics, practitioners, employers and policy makers from social care, social work and health education.

Effective social work demands a strong bond and understanding between professionals of different disciplines so that users of social work services receive the best possible care. Our degree combines perspectives from social care, health and education to ensure that our graduates can work effectively in the multi-disciplinary environment of today's social work.

You will gain a professional qualification for social workers and emphasise effective practice and the practical relevance of theory in practice learning placements. We equip you with the communication and interpersonal skills essential to the reality of contemporary social work in a programme taught by staff with direct experience of professional practice.

2012 Entry Requirements

280 UCAS tariff points overall, plus GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade C or equivalent. The selection process includes an interview with a written test.

We wish to recruit students who have some relevant paid or unpaid experience and can relate this to Social Work skills, values and understanding. Applicants need to demonstrate an understanding of the social work context and appreciate the academic and professional demands of the course. You should recognise the perspective of people who use services, their families and carers and have a clear commitment to becoming a social worker.

If you accept an offer from Edge Hill you will be required to complete a medical questionnaire. In exceptional circumstances you may need to have a medical examination in order to establish your medical fitness to enter the social work profession.

Medical fitness to practice is a mandatory requirement for registration with the General Social Care Council.

If you accept a formal offer from Edge Hill University you will be required to apply for a Criminal Records Bureau Enhanced Disclosure indicating that you meet the mandatory criteria of 'Clearance to Work with Children and/or Vulnerable Adults'. Further information will be sent to you after you have firmly accepted an offer.

Summary 2013/14

• Join a Social Work degree ranked second in the North West for overall student satisfaction (National Student Survey, 2011);
• Study to become a professionally qualified Social Worker whilst gaining an honours degree approved by the General Social Care Council (GSCC);
• Understand the perspective of those who use the services of social workers and learn from their experience;
• Benefit from the knowledge and experience of a range of academics, practitioners, employers and policy makers from social care, social work and health education.

Effective social work demands a strong bond and understanding between professionals of different disciplines so that users of social work services receive the best possible care. Our degree combines perspectives from social care, health and education to ensure that our graduates can work effectively in the multi-disciplinary environment of today's social work.

You will gain a professional qualification for social workers and emphasise effective practice and the practical relevance of theory in practice learning placements. We equip you with the communication and interpersonal skills essential to the reality of contemporary social work in a programme taught by staff with direct experience of professional practice.

2013 Entry Requirements

280 UCAS tariff points overall, plus GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade C or equivalent. The selection process includes an interview with a written test.

We wish to recruit students who have some relevant paid or unpaid experience and can relate this to Social Work skills, values and understanding. Applicants need to demonstrate an understanding of the social work context and appreciate the academic and professional demands of the course. You should recognise the perspective of people who use services, their families and carers and have a clear commitment to becoming a social worker.

If you accept an offer from Edge Hill you will be required to complete a medical questionnaire. In exceptional circumstances you may need to have a medical examination in order to establish your medical fitness to enter the social work profession.

Medical fitness to practice is a mandatory requirement for registration with the General Social Care Council.

If you accept a formal offer from Edge Hill University you will be required to apply for a Criminal Records Bureau Enhanced Disclosure indicating that you meet the mandatory criteria of 'Clearance to Work with Children and/or Vulnerable Adults'. Further information will be sent to you after you have firmly accepted an offer.

Details

Who is this course for?

This programme is aimed at people who wish to become professionally qualified social workers. We will recruit people who will thrive within a challenging and stimulating programme, and who really want to develop their ability to work with a range of people in a range of situations.

What will I gain from this programme?

Successful students will achieve a degree and the professional qualification in social work. You will develop the necessary skills, knowledge and values needed for competent and effective social work practice. You will gain a deep understanding of partnership working and of the needs of people who use services.

How we will support you

You will have a personal tutor allocated to you from the programme team. Whilst on practice placement, you will also be supported by a practice assessor and by the programme's Practice Learning Coordinator.

What will I study?

The programme is underpinned by the national occupational standards for social work. The degree therefore requires you to demonstrate an understanding of:

• Human growth, development, mental health and disability;
• Assessment, planning, intervention and review;
• Communication skills with children, adults and those with particular communication needs;
• Law;
• Partnership-working and information-sharing across professional disciplines and agencies.

In Year 1 you will examine the historical and contemporary function of social work in society and consider the legal and social policy frameworks within social work practice. You will be introduced to a range of sociological and psychological theories and social policy background with which to understand some of the social problems and issues individuals, families and communities face, and consider the concepts of social inclusion and exclusion. There is a strong emphasis on social work skills and methods and you also undertake your first practice learning opportunity.

Year 2 of the programme will help you to develop your competency to practice in specialist social work contexts. You will look at the importance of thinking globally about social work, and will also focus on race, diversity and equality.

During Year 3 you will undertake a detailed and critical comparative analysis of the constructs of social work and provision for users of social work services across borders as well as looking at organisations and management in contemporary social work and social care. You will also spend a second period of time in practice learning.

How will I study?

Academic-based learning will be delivered through lectures, tutorials, seminars and workshops. Practice-based learning is supervised and assessed by practice educators.

Placement

You will spend 200 days in practice learning placements. These placements are organised and monitored by the University. You will undertake supervised and assessed work whilst on placement, all of which will contribute to the outcome of your degree.

Who will be teaching me?

You can expect input from staff with expertise and knowledge of a range of health and social services settings together with high quality research profiles. Contributors to the programme also include people who have direct experience of services, expert practitioners, magistrates, politicians, senior managers and policy makers.

How will I be assessed?

The programme incorporates a range of assessment opportunities. These include essays, presentations, text analysis, group work, portfolios, carers' assessments, video/audio diaries, role plays and exams. Practice learning will also be assessed, addressed by a range of techniques.

What are my career prospects?

A degree in Social Work is your entry to a range of career opportunities in working with children, adults and communities. You will be able to work within the statutory, voluntary, private and charitable sectors.

Professional Accreditation

Social work is a regulated profession and you will be expected to register with the General Social Care Council (GSCC), the social work profession's regulator, and adhere to the standards set out in the Code of Practice for Social Workers.

As well as regulating individual social workers and students, the General Social Care Council also regulate the performance of social work courses at universities, the reports of which are published on their website at www.gscc.org.uk.

A Great Study Environment

Based in 160 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, the Ormskirk Campus is a unique and inspirational place to study. Industry standard resources and cutting edge technology combine to make an interactive and highly advanced teaching and learning environment. Everything you could want is on one site with 25 acres of sport and leisure facilities, more than 1,400 rooms in halls of residence and fantastic modern spaces in which you can study and socialise.

The University library gives you access to thousands of books, journals, online resources and extensive PC and media provision. You'll get all the support you need to succeed, reflected in Edge Hill University being ranked in the top two in England for students' personal development, and the top three in the country for assessment and feedback, in the 2011 National Student Survey. The University is also featured in the top four in England for graduate employment.

How do I apply?

Apply online through UCAS at www.ucas.ac.uk.

Visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/apply for more information on the application process and our Admissions criteria.

Fees and Finance

For academic year 2012/13, Edge Hill University will charge £9,000 for full-time BA, BSc and LLB degrees. Eligible students will not have to pay upfront for their tuition. The cost of tuition will be paid by a loan which you will only start to repay once you have finished the course and are earning over £21,000.

Students joining this BA (Hons) Social Work degree in academic year 2012/13 may be entitled to a non-means-tested NHS funded bursary of £4,575pa which can be used to pay fees and other expenses.

Eligible full-time students can also apply for a maintenance grant, subject to household income, and a non-means-tested loan to help with living costs.

Edge Hill University offers a range of scholarships for prospective full-time students. These include £2,000 Entrance Scholarships rewarding determination, commitment and achievement in creative arts, performing arts, sport and volunteering. Eligible entrants with outstanding grades are recognised through the £1,000 High Achievers Scholarship.

The University will also be offering awards, worth £3,000 in cash benefits and fee/accommodation waivers for academic year 2012/13, to eligible prospective full-time students through the National Scholarship Programme.

For more information on scholarships, including eligibility criteria for each award, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/scholarships.

To find out more about fees, grants and loans for academic year 2012/13, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/undergradfees2012.

Please note, the above information is for UK and eligible EU students only. International students should check the fees and finance information at www.edgehill.ac.uk/internationalfees2012.

Not got the entry requirements?

If you do not have GCSE English or Maths (or equivalent) you can take an Edge Hill equivalency test to gain the equivalent qualification. We welcome applications from candidates with a Social Work Access qualification.

For personalised advice based on your circumstances, please contact us or come to an event.

Where can I find out more?

If you would like to receive a copy of our prospectus or be kept updated about forthcoming events, contact the Course Information, Advice and Guidance Team by emailing study@edgehill.ac.uk or calling 01695 657000.

If you want to attend one of our open events held throughout the year, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/opendays to book your place.

You will also find Edge Hill University staff at many national careers fairs and UCAS events.

Still want more?

If you have any questions you would like to ask the programme leader about this course, please contact:

• Liz Rafferty, Faculty of Health and Social Care, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 4QP
• Tel: 01695 584102
• Email: rafferte@edgehill.ac.uk

Overseas students should visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/international or email international@edgehill.ac.uk for further information.

Modules

Year 1

SWP1000 What is Social Work? provides a historical context to social work, charting its development, and critically examining both its historical and contemporary function in society. It aims to enable you to develop a basic understanding of the settings and contexts in which social work is practiced in the twenty first century through the narrative of current practitioners. The centrality of inter professional and inter agency collaboration will be examined. You will become familiar with the key roles identified in the National Occupational standards and the tasks undertaken by social workers in a range of settings. The module will also introduce the subject of social work values and ethics examining the potential dilemmas when applying these to practice situations.

SWP1001 Introduction to Professional Practice has its focus on an introduction to the terrain of contemporary professional social work practice. It will allow you to develop a sound understanding of concepts, principles and professional practice issues. In this module you will develop an understanding of the relationship between theory and practice and will be encouraged to understand the necessity for the integration of ‘theoretical’ learning with skills and knowledge associated with professional practice.

SWP1002 Introduction to Social Work Law and Policy considers the legal and social policy frameworks within which social work practice is located and engages them in an examination of the tensions and contradictions in the relationship between social work, the law and social policy.

The students will be introduced to the relationship between legal rules, organisational context and professional social work practice. The module considers legal systems, social work legal duties and responsibilities, and the applications of these situations to practice, building up a portfolio of relevant skills. It explores the relationship between law and social work practice and examines the ethical and moral dimensions of applying the law in practice.

SWP1003 Introduction to Social Work Theory and Methods examines a range of theories, methods, approaches and concepts which will equip you with the knowledge, skills and values necessary to provide an effective social work service to individuals, families, carers, groups and communities. You will be introduced to a range of sociological and psychological theories and social policy background with which to understand some of the social problems and issues individuals, families and communities face. Models and methods of assessment and intervention will also be explored, including factors that underpin the selection, testing of relevant information, the nature of professional judgement and the process of risk assessment. There will be an emphasis on evidence and reflective application of theories and methods in order to promote ethical, effective and accountable social work practice.

SWP1004 Social Inclusion and Social Divisions introduces you to the concepts of social inclusion and exclusion by examining the various meanings ascribed to the terms by those who use them. The consequences of those ascribed meanings are then explored. It is suggested that some individuals and social groups are more vulnerable to social exclusion than others and you will be introduced to the concept of social division as a means of understanding why this might be so. A ‘social divisions’ approach (Payne 2000) is used to examine the circumstances of specific social groups and to identify social exclusion as a predictor of the need for social work intervention. The implications for those excluded, and for social work practice, are then introduced.

SWP1005 Practice Learning (90 days) takes place in an external agency (statutory, non-statutory, voluntary or private) and provides one of the two placements for the programme. The placement is full-time over 90 days – any shortfall for any reason must be made up. A Practice Assessor supports your learning and development and also assesses your professional competence against the Key Roles of Social Work.

Year 2

SWP2000 Developing Competence in Practice is designed to help you develop your competency to practice in as a wide a range of contexts as is practicable. To facilitate this, the module content is ‘themed’ (see indicative content) so that common threads can be wound through a variety of context-specific scenarios. You will bring learning in year 1 to bear on a series of specific scenarios, and develop your understanding of what professional social work practice involves. This will play a significant part in enabling students to succeed in your year 3 practice-based learning.

SWP2001 Social Work with Children and Families provides you with an understanding of children’s developmental psychology, physical, emotional and cultural needs. The module examines the way that any special needs of a child impacts on their position in family and society and how this impact affects their and their family’s / carer’s ability to navigate and articulate their experiences.

As safeguarding children is at the core of children and family social work practice there is a strong emphasis on ‘signs and symptoms’ in a child protection context and assessment and intervention models and procedures. The issues of fostering and adoption are explored and there is an emphasis on enabling you to identify and acknowledge your personal beliefs and values in this area, and those of the social work profession, to aid reflective practice.

The module reflects the current emphasis on inter-disciplinary approaches linking this practice and theory across a range of settings, disciplines, legal and policy contexts. These contexts are framed within the concepts of needs, rights and responsibilities as they apply to the state, the family, the child and the social work practitioner. There is an emphasis on the range of benefits and support available to children and families with particular needs (social, physical, intellectual).

The module enables you to develop reflective and analytical skills necessary to consider the challenges presented in the social work role of mediating the responsibilities of the state, the family and the individual, developing your skills base in working with children and families.

SWP2002 Social Work with Users of Mental Health Services reflects the core values, skills and knowledge frameworks required for professional social work qualification in the mental health context. A critical and engaging approach is taken to the study of contemporary mental health, theory, policy, research and practice. Exploration of such issues are based on an appreciation that mental ill health / distress, whilst being recognised as having a potentially enduring and disabling impact on an individual’s life, might also be transitory in nature and related to particular life events and circumstances. The module stimulates debate, promotes critical thinking skills and enhances practice. Such an approach enables you to understand the importance of, and develop as, critically reflective practitioners in the modern mental health system.

SWP2003 Social Work with Older Adults enables you to focus on practice in complex social situations to promote the well being of older adults and their carers. The module locates practice within the legislative and policy framework, and its contemporary social, cultural and political context. It enables you to draw upon theoretical perspectives, research, service user and carer narratives and expertise, as well as that of other allied professionals. The range of services and service providers in the statutory, voluntary and private sector available to older adults is explored and you will get an overview of current practice issues. In particular, consideration will be given to inter professional working and protection of vulnerable adults, and the tensions and dilemmas within the practice context identified.

SWP2004 Social Work with Disabled Adults reflects the core values, skills and knowledge frameworks required for professional social work qualification in the context of working with disabled adults. A critical and engaging approach is taken to the study of contemporary disability theory, policy, research and practice, and the module embraces an international comparative perspective. The module stimulates debate, promotes critical thinking skills and enhances practice. Such an approach enables you to understand the importance of, and develop as, critically reflective practitioners in the contemporary context of working with disabled adults.

SWP2005 Social Work with Young People explores the psychological and social landscape of young people, including an exploration of how the changing nature of contemporary society both effects and shapes the transitions of young people and the implications of this for social work practice. Key themes like separation, transition, dangerousness, peer relations and sub cultural identities are examined.

There is a focus on this stage of life in relation to sexuality, relationships, safeguarding, young people in care, family relationships / mediation, educational agendas, young offenders / the youth justice system, young carers, physical / mental health and substance abuse. This will help position the potential social work role with young people in a multi-disciplinary context and critically explore and evaluate various communication, assessment and intervention strategies.

SWP2006 International Perspectives on Social Work enables you to analyse, interpret and evaluate policy and practice in the light of the historical, social, economic, cultural and political context of different countries. You will undertake a detailed and critical comparative analysis of constructs of social work and provision for users of social work services across borders.

The module promotes the importance of thinking globally in the context of social work. You will develop enhanced research skills and become more informed about policies, practices, curriculum and research in other countries. The module involves engaging in an on-going analysis of human rights and social justice and becoming more aware of the social work context and user perspectives in a global sense.

Year 3

SWP3000 Research in Practice involves undertaking a detailed and critical comparative analysis of the constructs of social work and provision for users of social work services across borders. The module enables you to analyse, interpret and evaluate policy and practice in the light of the historical, social, economic, cultural and political context of different countries. You will consider the importance of thinking globally in the context of social work.

The learning outcomes of the module include developing enhanced research skills in accessing information, ideas, and theoretical perspectives concerning the comparative study of social work, becoming more informed about policies, practices, curriculum and research in other countries. You will engage in an on-going analysis of human rights and social justice and become more aware of the social work context and user perspectives in a global sense.

SWP3001 Working With and Within Organisations focuses on the study of organisations and management in contemporary social work and social care. The module focuses on the structure and culture of such organisations and examines the importance of partnership and collaboration. Recent changes have made it critical for practitioners to have a thorough understanding of organisational structures and their impact on service users and their own practice. Through an examination of current research and practice, the module highlights the roles of ideology, culture, professional and personal values, judgements and decision making in contemporary social work organisation and management. Case studies and activities also encourage you to develop ways of challenging and improving your own practice.

SWP3002 Reflective Practice seeks to emphasise how social work practitioners move from ‘knowing about’ social work to ‘being able to do’ social work. The focus is on the role of reflection in developing and improving practice. In the context of developing a practice that is more than a technical or mechanistic application of core competences, the module addresses the social work role of exploring, reflecting on and learning from experience. Reflective practice is explored as the key to developing empathy with service users as well as understanding the nature of power in human relationships.

SWP3003 Practice Learning (110 days) takes place in an external agency (statutory, non-statutory, voluntary or private) and provides one of the two placements for the programme. The placement is full-time over 110 days – any shortfall of completion of these days, for any reason, must be made up. A Practice Assessor will support your learning and development and will also assess your professional competence against the Key Roles of Social Work.