BA (Hons) Post Qualifying Specialist Social Work (Adults) or (Children, Young People, their Families and Carers) (Top-up)
ObjectivesEach top-up degree addresses the needs of candidates who already hold a social work qualification at DipHE level, delivering professional, specialist content at Level 3 of an Honours degree Collaboration with local Social Work employers and stakeholders has ensured that the content is accessible and relevant to social workers and, as part of the General Social Care Council post-qualifying framework, complies with the highest professional standards Appropriate modules will be taught jointly with candidates from other post-qualifying specialist awards, so you will have ample opportunity to gain insight from other professionals working within the field Assessed practice will be completed in your own workplace Teaching will take place on Thursdays during University semesters
Entry requirementsTo be accepted on either award, you must be a graduate and hold a social work qualification (a degree in Social Work, diploma in Social Work, CSS or CQSW). You must also be on the General Social Care Register of Social Workers. Candidates must have a minimum of six months post-qualifying experience and must be working for an employer who agrees to support you in undertaking a period of assessed practice If you have a PQ1 and/or PQ6 award, you may be eligible for Accreditation of Prior Learning which will exempt you from studying certain modules
Academic titleBA (Hons) Post Qualifying Specialist Social Work (Adults) or (Children, Young People, their Families and Carers) (Top-up)
Course descriptionSummary
The study of published generic and specialist standards will help you reflect critically and consolidate your own post-qualifying practice/experience. The Social Work and Social Justice module will give you a greater understanding of structural factors which impact upon people’s lives and bring about marginalisation and discrimination.
The Adult programme delivers modules analysing the effectiveness of practices which are intended to manage risk, safeguard adults and promote choice, independence and wellbeing. You'll consider the many reasons why someone may need social care services during their adult life to promote a greater knowledge and critical understanding of the wants, needs and experiences of ‘service users’.
If you are specialising in Children, Young People, their Families and Carers, you will discuss a range of questions relating to the safeguarding of children and young people within contemporary social work practice. In addition, the complex social, psychological and emotional needs of looked after children, including those in institutions, will be examined in detail.
As the course progresses, specialist level skills in professional communication will be cultivated. The programme will challenge your teaching and mentoring skills, giving you opportunity to teach and assess the practice of student social workers, or provide support for students or colleagues. You’ll knowledge and critical understanding of learning disability will be further developed and applied to a range of practice settings and/or experiences. The work-based learning and assessment modules enables you to demonstrate your competence to published standards in a range of skills required for your area of practice and to further develop your understanding of professional values.
Future prospects
The GDip PQ Specialist Social Work (Adults) or (Children, Young People, their Families and Carers) is the first level post-qualifying award in the new General Social Care Council post-qualifying framework and leads to the Post Qualifying Specialist Social Work Award. As such, it enables qualified workers to gain additional expertise within their specialist field, in order to further their career in social work in the statutory, voluntary or private sectors.