Social Work MA drafted

Program Overview

This two-year MA Social Work program prepares individuals for careers in social work, specializing in Children and Family or Adult Social Work. Through practical placements and academic instruction, students develop the skills and knowledge needed to practice under English legislation and meet the Professional Capabilities Framework. Upon graduation, students are eligible for registration with Social Work England, ensuring a high standard of professional practice. The program also includes mock court report skills exercises to enhance students' public accountability and scrutiny skills.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This MA Social Work program is a two-year full-time course designed for individuals with a degree and experience in the Health and Social Care sectors who wish to become qualified social workers. The program is approved by Social Work England (SWE) and prepares students to practice under English legislation. It offers the opportunity to specialize in either Children and Family or Adult Social Work. The program emphasizes practical experience through placements, ensuring students gain real-world skills and knowledge.

Outline:

The MA Social Work program is structured into two years, with a combination of taught modules and practice learning opportunities.

Year One:

• Preparing for Professional Social Work Practice: This module introduces the social work environment, employer expectations, professional requirements, and service user perspectives.
It focuses on skills development through experiential learning, classroom activities, observation, and shadowing.
• Human Growth and Development - Promoting and Protecting Individual Development Within Social Contexts: This module analyzes the principles of child and adult development, exploring both typical and alternative developmental pathways.
It considers the social, economic, and political contexts that influence development. It includes critical evaluation of social welfare policies to build confidence in policy analysis.
• Practice Learning Opportunity One: This module includes the first placement period (80 days) with accompanying recall days for teaching that enhances professional practice.
Students are required to meet SWE Professional Standards and ensure their own and others' safety. The placement is arranged in partnership with local authorities and independent sector agencies, providing practical experience under the guidance of a qualified practice educator.
• Theories, Methods and Models of Social Work Practice - Assessing and Intervening in Order to Achieve Best Outcomes for Service Users: This module develops critical knowledge of assessment frameworks, principles, models, and practice techniques.
• Safeguarding: Working with Risk and Complexity: This module explores contemporary safeguarding practices for children and adults, equipping students with the skills and knowledge to balance competing elements like self-determination and the duty to protect.

Year Two:

• Practice Learning Opportunity Two: This second placement is longer (90 days) with complementary academic input to develop professional expertise and leadership skills.
The placement is arranged by the University and is likely to be within a statutory setting, such as child protection or mental health teams. Students are expected to work as part of a team, providing services to individuals, groups, and communities. Methodological teaching prepares students to develop a proposal for either a literature-based or research-based project.

Assessment:

The program utilizes a combination of academic and practical assessments.

• Academic Assessments: These include essays, practical methods like verbal presentations and report writing, and assessments related to practice learning opportunities.
• Practice Placements: These are focused on assessing students' ability to meet the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF).

Teaching:

The University-based modules are taught through a variety of methods, including workshops, seminars, online learning, and action learning (scenario-based) that reflects the complexity of social work practice. Students benefit from a personal tutor to provide support throughout the course. The program prepares students for careers in local government or private providers of social care services for children and/or adults.

Other:

The program emphasizes the importance of preparing students for public accountability and scrutiny in the professional environment. In collaboration with Nottingham Law School, students participate in mock court report skills exercises in authentic courtrooms, enhancing their ability to present to expert panels.

For January 2025:

Study route

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Full-time | £8,600 | £17,500 Please note that if you are considering a course that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for the first year of study. The course fee for the second year may be subject to annual review.