Social Work MA

The MA Social Work course at Middlesex University is full time over two years.

Modules

Year 1

Initial practice learning placement and social work skills (30 credits)

In the first term of study, students will take part in an intensive programme of skills development. This involves work on communication and interviewing skills, child observation, development of 'use of self'; in collaboration with service users and carers and our agency partners. Once assessed as 'ready for direct practice' students undertake a 70 day placement where they will able to evidence effective use of knowledge, skills and commitment to core values in social work in predominantly less complex situations, with supervision and support. They will have demonstrated their ability to work with people and situations where there may not be simple clear cut solutions.

Research in the social sciences (30 credits)

The purpose of this module is to familiarise postgraduate students with major approaches to research; to enable them to develop skills in designing a research proposal; enhance their skills in qualitative and quantitative methods; enhance their critical appreciation of research and encourage research literacy; and ensure students are able to apply relevant approaches and methods to their own research project or extended literature review at masters level.

Critical approaches for the lifecourse epistemology (30 credits)

This module promotes a critical and advanced understanding of theories of human growth and development across the lifecourse. It explores the impact of diversity, differences and structural inequalities on human growth and development. Students identify and apply diverse perspectives on key transitional processes from birth to late adulthood and the different social work skills and interventions required.

Law and social policy (30 credits)

This module provides an advanced understanding of the structure, organisation and processes of the English legal system including comprehensive knowledge and understanding of all four major areas of law for social work practice (children and families, mental health, community care and youth justice) and the policy context for legislative change and implementation. Students learn how to differentiate and begin to work with absolute, qualified and competing rights, and the differing needs and perspectives that arise during social work assessment and interventions alongside their first practice learning placement.

Year 2

Social work knowledge and application (30 credits)

This module introduces students to the knowledge base for social work practice; including its history, the different contexts of practice and the range of processes involved in the social work task and social work theories. It enables students to draw upon a number of theory perspectives and to develop a range of skills to apply these theories to practice scenarios in order to plan, carry out and evaluate an intervention.

Final professional practice placement (30 credits)

This module enables students to explore the nature of social work knowledge, critically analysing contemporary practice theories and their interrelationships to social work assessment and intervention. It supports students in further developing their practice skills and intervention techniques. It assists students in developing insightful, exploratory and creative practice approaches. It facilitates students' exploration of ethical models of decision making and relate these ideas to the enhancement of their own ethical social work practice.

Specialist knowledge for professional practice (Dissertation: Child and family social work) (60 credits)

This module enables students to develop advanced in depth knowledge and practice skill through a variety of different theoretical and practice perspectives underpinned by casework examples and research findings. Students develop holistic approaches to working with children and families through examining a wide range of service delivery contexts and addressing transitions that need to be considered when service users and their families/carers receive support from more than one agency, or move from one service to another. Students examine interdisciplinary approaches; scrutinise key policy and specialist practice issues with a strong focus on statutory roles, duties and responsibilities regarding child safeguarding and parenting capacity. Students develop expertise in a child and family practice theme selected by the student as a subject for systematic review, research and evaluation via the research dissertation.

OR

Specialist knowledge for professional practice (Dissertation: Social work with adults) (60 credits)

This module enables students to develop advanced in depth knowledge and practice skill through a variety of different theoretical and practice perspectives underpinned by casework examples and research findings. Students develop holistic approaches to working with adults through examining a wide range of service delivery contexts and addressing transitions that need to be considered when service users and their families/carers receive support from more than one agency, or move from one service to another. Students examine interdisciplinary approaches across a diverse range of models of service delivery and legislative frameworks, and scrutinise key policy and specialist practice issues with a strong focus on statutory roles, duties and responsibilities around safeguarding. Students develop expertise in a practice theme as a subject for systematic review, research and evaluation via the research dissertation.

Assessment methods include essays, responses to case studies and a dissertation.

All modules, and the programme as a whole, are clearly structured to meet the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and The College of Social Work (TCSW) standards and requirements for social work training. You will undertake two professional placements within relevant agencies and will be assessed against the HCPC Standards of Proficiency (social work) and TCSW's Professional Capability Framework. The placements usually run concurrently with academic study. You will complete 170 days of assessed practice learning within two approved and contrasting settings. In at least one of your placements, you will gain experience of statutory roles and tasks.

You will be allocated a tutor at the beginning of your course who you will meet regularly in tutor groups and who will also act as a link to your professional placements.

Recommended preparatory reading and resources