Full Time BA (Hons) Social Work

BA (Hons) Social Work

Location:Bromsgrove

Qualification Level:BA Honours Degree in Social Work

Attendance:Full Time

Course Duration:
3 Years Full Time

Course Description
The BA (Hons) Degree in Social Work at North East Worcestershire College is the qualification for people who want to become professionally qualified social workers in any area of social work, such as children and families, mental health, older people or people with disabilities. The course integrates theory and practice and provides an understanding of social work practice, theory and law. 50% of the learning takes place in college (mainly in Bromsgrove) and through self-directed study and 50% (200 days) in a wide variety of practice settings where you will be under the supervision of an experienced practitioner. You will have a personal tutor to offer support and guidance.

The course team are enthusiastic, supportive and well qualified. Staff regularly attend both academic and practice-related conferences and forums, both nationally and regionally and are involved in national research projects. They have also published material in social work journals. This networking enriches our teaching and you will benefit from up-to-date developments in the fields of social work practice. Current social work practitioners assist in the delivery of modules by virtue of the well-established relationship between NEW College and social work agencies. Students also benefit from regular sessions presented by service users and carers groups.

Course content

Year 1
The Professional Learner and Safe Practitioner
Applied Psychology and Human Development
Sociology; Themes and Perspectives in Social Work
Introduction to Practice
Development and Delivery of Social Welfare Provision
The Ethics and Values of Social Work

Year 2
Law for Social Work Practice
Assessment and Intervention. Theories and Methods
Skills for Social Work Practice
The Research Process
Practice Developing Competence (triple module)

Year 3
Practice Achieving Competence (quadruple module)
The Competent Practitioner
The Research and Policy Context of Social Work Practice
The Professional Lifelong Learner: Independent Study


How is the Qualification Achieved ?
Our aim is to equip you with the knowledge base and skills you will need to become an effective social worker and so our assessment process is designed to support and monitor your development towards your competence as a practitioner by the end of the programme. Formal assessment is continuous and occurs at the end of each module. You will be assessed using a variety of methods, reflecting both the subject matter and the value of developing and demonstrating a range of key skills. Practice assessment will feature both observations of practice and written work to demonstrate awareness, understanding, analysis and reflection on practice.
You will benefit from access to libraries at both NEW College and University of Worcester. These libraries hold a wide range of texts and journals which are continuously updated. There are areas for private study, computing and the use of the internet. You will have electronic access to journals and other resources held by the two institutions.
Learning and teaching is supported by subject specific Learning Advisors at NEW College and there is also an experienced learning support team who can arrange individual support where necessary.
Communication with both personal and module tutors is encouraged, not only by direct contact but also through email.


On Successful Completion of this Course
Completion of your degree will allow you to join the General Social Care Council register of social workers, so that you can practice professionally. You will be qualified for social work in the public, voluntary, private or independent sectors. Post qualifying training opportunities will be accessible via employment. Postgraduate academic study opportunities will also be accessible.
NEW College works closely with Worcestershire County Council to enhance employment opportunities on completion of the degree. Employment rates are high and you acquire valuable transferable skills in writing reports, analysing data, using computers, researching material, interviewing and giving presentations.


Additional Information
Course features and benefits
The course addresses the specific requirements of professional social work training and meets all the
relevant requirements of the Department of Health and the General Social Care Council
Small friendly and welcoming department providing a high level of tutorial and pastoral support
An enthusiastic, teaching team with a great wealth of experience in practice in a wide variety of practice
settings
Regular guest lectures from practising social workers and service users and carers
Experience of working with non-traditional learners from diverse backgrounds
Small teaching groups
A recently built attractive and modern learning environment
Practice learning opportunities in a wide variety of multi-disciplinary environments, primarily within the
counties of Worcestershire and Herefordshire
Close links with local social work agencies and a strong partnership with Worcestershire County Council
Strong commitment to the involvement of service users and carers in all aspects of the programme for which it has been commended