What Makes This Course So Special?
What is the role of a social worker? How does theory underpin practice? How does social work operate in a multi professional environment? Does Social Work challenge inequality? How do we get the right balance between care and control?
The BA (Hons) Social Work degree programme is a professional programme of study, which offers academic modules alongside the opportunity to apply knowledge to practice within. The course is made up of approximately 50% academic study and 50% practice learning. On successful completion of this course, you will gain the professional social work qualification and will be registered with the Care Council for Wales (or the General Social Care Council for English students), enabling you to practice as social workers in Great Britain and beyond.
There is a high employment rate on completing the course, with newly qualified social workers gaining employment in statutory services such as mental health, child protection and LAC teams, adult protection and older persons teams. As well as specialist drug misuse services, domestic violence services, advocacy services and other private and independent sector employers.
The Newport social work programme has established excellent partnerships with local authority practice placement providers. These are Monmouth, Newport and Blaenau-Gwent, as a result; all students are guaranteed at least one statutory practice placement opportunity, supervised by a qualified social work practice teacher. In addition Practice Learning opportunities are an excellent way of familiarising yourself with opportunities, local services and teams in preparation for making career decisions. The degree programme includes 200 days of practice; 20 days in year 1, 80 days in year 2 and 100 days in year three.
Find out more about the subject of Social Studies at Newport.
Course Intro
Social Work is a professional activity that is intended to advance the social conditions of communities and individuals within them. It is about respecting and valuing diversity and cuts across many settings including child and family, disability, drugs and alcohol misuse. The support offered by Social Workers includes interpersonal intervention and providing behavioural and social assessments.
You will develop a theoretical understanding of the key areas. These areas include; the role of the social worker, communication skills, legislation and policy and challenging discrimination. You will put this theory into practice through assessed placement opportunities within the statutory and voluntary sectors. On your placement you will experience what it is like to be a social worker whilst networking and building contacts which will benefit you in your future career.
You are given opportunities to examine social welfare and social care models of practice in other European and international countries. Study tours are organised once a year on a self funding basis.
What you study
Year 1
• Personal & Public Advocacy with Service Users & Carers
• The Legislative & Policy Context of Social Work
• Communication Skills and Human Growth
• Introduction to Research
• Role of the Social Work Practitioner including the block 20-day Practice Learning Opportunity – which will establish Fitness To Practice
• Technologies for the Professional Environment (mandatory module for those without ECDL or equivalent)
Year 2
• Evidence based Practice with Children & Families
• Evidence based Practice with Adults
• Challenging Discrimination & Anti-Oppressive Practice
• Research Methods
• Developing Effective Social Work Practice; including the block 80-day Assessed Placement Opportunity
Year 3
• Inter-Professional Practice
• Dissertation
• Becoming a Critically Reflective Practitioner including the block 100-day Assessed Placement Opportunity
A programme specification for this course is available.
Where Next?
This course culminates in professional registration which means that you are a qualified social work practitioner. Social workers may work in a variety of statutory and private, independent and voluntary settings. There are also opportunities in academia and research.
After this course you will also be academically prepared to progress to further study into several areas here at Newport.
Interview Required
Yes, as part of a 3 Tier Selection Process. Tutors will explain the course content and you will be given the opportunity to ask us questions in addition to us assessing your suitability for the course. This can be done via Skype if necessary.
Assessment
You will be assessed through a variety of methods including written assignments, reflective journals, debate, simulations, portfolios, presentations, direct observations and reflections on practice.
Student Soundbite
“I am getting on well with the other students, I enjoy all modules and I find everyone approachable, so far I am really enjoying the course.”