Social Work

This professional qualifying programme continues for two full calendar years (24 months) full-time, starting in September. Teaching methods include seminars, lectures, workshops and skills workshops employing a range of methods. All parts of the course are compulsory. The programme incorporates the following elements:
300 Masters Level credits, of which 60 credits are awarded on the basis of a dissertation and 240 credits through taught modules – these are to be passed at Masters Level, with a pass mark of 50%, for the award of MA;
Assessment in line with the Professional Capabilities Framework for Social Work comprising practice learning of 170 days and practice associated assignments which are to be passed at Masters level;
The core curriculum content as specified by the College of Social Work;
Compliance with QAA benchmark statement for social work.
In Year One of the course you must demonstrate your suitability for professional training in order to progress to the next stage of the award. This year will also introduce you to the general principles of social work. Year Two aims to develop analytical, research and evaluation skills integrated with your developing practice, knowledge, skills and values. Each year includes practice learning in a social work setting.
Year One
Year One introduces you to the general principles of social work, and by building on social science knowledge and understanding and skills, aims to enable students to further develop systematic knowledge, critical awareness, new insights and skills in relation to: the social context of social work; social work values and ethics; the legal system; the life course; social work with adults; social work with children and families; interpersonal communication and professional practice. In your first year you must demonstrate readiness for practice before being able to undertake your first assessed practice learning opportunity of 70 days.
Taught Modules (Assessed at Masters Level - 130 Level 7 credits)
Power and discrimination (10)
Introduction to legal processes (10)
Social work theory and methods 1 (10)
Area of practice 1: children and families (15)
Area of practice 1: adults (15)
Life course development (10)
Personal and Professional Development (70 days practice learning and associated assignments) (45)
Taught element (interpersonal skills, preparation for practice learning) (15)

Year Two
Year Two provides opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate your research capabilities. Analytical, research and evaluation skills will be developed in relation to: reflective practice; social work research; social work with adults; social work with children and families; and social work practice. You will develop knowledge of methodologies, be able to critique those methodologies and where appropriate, propose new hypotheses. In order to demonstrate understanding of techniques applicable to your own advanced scholarship, you will be required to complete a dissertation of 15,000 words. You will undertake 100 days assessed practice placement in a social work setting.Year 2 Taught Modules.

Taught Modules (Assessed at Masters Level - 170 Level 7 credits)
Social work theory and methods 2 (10)
Social work research (10)
Area of practice 2: children and families (law, disability, mental health, inter-professional working, risk) (15)
Area of practice 2: adults (law, disability, mental health, inter-professional working, risk) (15)
Personal and Professional Development (100 days practice learning and associated assignments) (60)
Dissertation
15,000 word dissertation (60 Level 4 credits)
Taught element (interpersonal skills, preparation for practice learning)
Practice Learning Arrangements
There are two full-time block practice placements, one in each year. They are arranged in a wide variety of statutory and voluntary agencies under approved practice teachers and with regular tutorial contact. They are usually within a radius of 50 miles of Keele, in Staffordshire, Shropshire, Cheshire and the West Midlands.