Our Social Work BA (Hons) aims to equip you with the knowledge, skills and values appropriate for work in a variety of social work settings. The teaching and learning on this course is delivered by qualified/registered social work academic staff that are actively engaged in research and regularly contribute to publications, consultancy and direct practice.

A bursary allocation to cover level 5 and 6 placement costs is available from the NHS for eligible students. The University is tasked with assessing you based upon your first year engagement and academic achievements. The NHS Business Services Authority will select all eligible students until the bursary allocation is exhausted. Further information can be found at the NHS bursary website.

Course content

Social workers deal with some of the most vulnerable people in society at times of heightened stress. By the end of the course you will have been assessed against the Standards of Proficiency for Social Work and the Professional Capabilities Framework and will be able to apply to the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for registration.

Competent practice is essential for the award and you will undertake 200 days of practice learning (placement and skills for practice) during the programme. Practice learning through placement experience is undertaken in blocks throughout the course, you will complete: 30 days experiential skills for practice at level four (in the University), 70 days (in placement) at level five and 100 days (in placement) at level six.

This course requires you to be able to travel to a placement with an employer provider and be able to meet the expectations of the setting by travelling to meet with service users. Being a holder of a current UK driving licence is desirable.

Stage one

You will be introduced to the knowledge and skills required for best social work practice which will continue to be developed throughout the duration of the course. The value base of social work is emphasised and you will engage in teaching designed to support your learning and understanding of anti-oppressive, anti-discriminatory and anti-racist practice in a model that promotes social justice. You will undertake a law exam in your first year only. The Skills for Practice module is designed to develop your skills and understanding about social work through teaching and learning that takes place in the University and is delivered by a range of qualified social work academics, service users and social work practitioners.

You will have an opportunity to undertake a five-day shadow placement with an employer provider at this stage of this course. The first year is designed to prepare and assess you on your ‘readiness for direct practice’ prior to your first practice placement in your second year. During the first year you are selected and nominated for the NHS Social Work Bursary.

Stage two

You will develop your understanding of different service user groups and service provision in social work settings building on the teaching and learning at level four. The teaching at this stage will provide you with opportunities to work in small learning sets developing your reflective critical thinking skills. A module on gender develops your understanding of the interconnectedness of oppression, discrimination and inequality and how gender shapes organisations and service delivery. A 70-day assessed placement learning opportunity will be completed in a social work setting.

Stage three

At this level you will undertake a 100-day assessed placement learning opportunity in a social work setting. The teaching and learning at this stage of the course will focus on helping you to understand the importance of managing the professional task of social work. There will be opportunities to explore how services are provided with an emphasis on understanding risk and uncertainty in the assessment process.

Module information is quoted for 17/18 entry. Please note that modules run subject to student numbers and staff availability, any changes will be communicated to applicants accordingly.

Methods of Learning

This course promotes an approach to learning that actively engages you with key issues and themes in Social Work practice. Teaching methods that are used on this course include group work, role play, individual skills development, enquiry based learning, seminars and lectures. You will be able to incorporate your academic learning to two supervised and assessed placement learning opportunities. Over the three years you will experience a range of social work services and work with service users.

Assessments

You will be assessed both in theory and practice, in placements as well as through coursework and a law exam in the first year. Please note that all modules are compulsory.

Facilities and Special Features

• prepares you for professional social work practice
• enables you to develop your practice skills
• develops your skills and knowledge in working with other professions
• raises your political awareness and encourages you to be creative, critical and reflective thinkers
• the Social Work subject team sign up to and hold the International Federation of Social Work definition of social work
• you will have the opportunity to develop a range of communication skills in the first year through experiential teaching and learning facilitated by Service Users and Social Work Practitioners in readiness for direct practice.

Reading List

• Doel, M. (2012) Social Work: The Basics. London: Routledge
• Trevithick, P. (2012) Social Work Skills and Knowledge: A Practice Handbook. Maidenhead: Open University Press
• Maclean, S. and Harrison, R. (2011) Theory and Practice: A Straightforward Guide for Social Work Students. Lichfield: Kirwan Maclean Associates
• Cunningham, J. and Cunningham, S. (2012) Social Policy and Social Work: An Introduction. London: Sage
• Bartoli, A. (eds) (2013) Anti Racism in Social Work Practice (Critical Approaches to Social Work) Critical Publishing Ltd., St Albans
• Howe, David. (2008) The Emotionally Intelligent Social Worker Palgrave Macmillan
• Blakemore, K. & Warwick-Booth, L. (2013) Social Policy An Introduction (4th Edition) Open University Press
• Cottrell, S (2011) Critical Thinking Skills, Developing Effective Analysis and Argument (2nd Edition) Hampshire Palgrave Macmillan

Career Opportunities

Employment prospects for Social Work graduates are excellent and you will be able to pursue social work careers across the country. Successful graduates can apply to the HCPC for registration, please note that you are only eligible for this if you graduate with a BA (Hons) Social Work degree. This is because Social Work is a protected title. If you graduate with an ordinary degree you will not be eligible to apply for registration to the HCPC and cannot be awarded the title of Social Worker.

Work Experience

You will undertake 170 days of practice learning (placement). You will complete a student profile during your first year and, through strong partnerships between the university and employer providers, will be matched to a specific service. Placement learning opportunities can be outside of Northampton. All placement providers are quality assured by the University. It is desirable that you hold a current UK driving licence.

For application information please see our how to apply page.

The Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) web page provides information to prospective applicants about the Standards of Proficiency and Regulation.

If you are successful in applying for this course you will be invited to attend a formal interview with academic tutors, practitioners and service users.

In addition to standard entry requirements, you must demonstrate that you possess the entry level requirements under the Professional Capabilities Framework. This framework includes:

• awareness of social context for social work practice
• self awareness
• ability to develop rapport and potential to develop relevant knowledge 
• skills and values through professional training

You will need to have had some experience of working in a social work/social care setting.

You must have Maths and English GCSE grade C or equivalent. A typical offer would be BCC at A Level or DMM at BTEC. Acceptance on this course is subject to a health declaration and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.

Additional Costs

You are not required to purchase any textbooks as we endeavour to ensure that all necessary material is available for free in the University library. There is also a five day ‘shadow’ placement in the first year which may lead to you incurring additional transport costs.

Scholarships

• TD Lewis Scholarship

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• The Chancellor’s Fund

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