BA (Hons) Post Qualifying Specialist Social Work (Mental Health) (Top-up) or GDip Post Qualifying Specialist Social Work (Mental Health)
ObjectivesIn addition to gaining a highly desirable qualification, both the BA (Hons) and GDip programmes enable you to achieve the professional requirements to become an Approved Social Worker in 12 months, and make it possible to complete the PQSSW in 18 months The award delivers comprehensive instruction for working in mental health services to social workers, other professionals, and experts by experience. It is the first level post-qualifying award in the new General Social Care Council Post Qualifying framework Candidates for Approved Social Worker Status are required to undertake a practice placement organised and assessed by their employer. Other candidates for PQSSW undertake assessed practice organised by their employer, which may take place in their own workplace The BA (Hons) PQ Specialist Social Work (Mental Health) is for candidates who hold a social work qualification at Diploma in higher education level and provides a top-up to degree level If you already have a PQ1 and/or PQ6 award, you may also be able to get Accreditation of Prior Learning which will exempt you from studying certain modules Both awards are studied on Thursdays, with teaching taking place outside standard University teaching weeks
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 Acreditation of Prior Learning which will exempt you from studying certain modules
Academic titleBA (Hons) Post Qualifying Specialist Social Work (Mental Health) (Top-up) or GDip Post Qualifying Specialist Social Work (Mental Health)
Course descriptionFuture prospects
The GDip PQ Specialist Social Work (Mental Health) is the first level post-qualifying award in the new General Social Care Council Post Qualifying framework. As such, it enables qualified workers to gain additional expertise within this specialist field in order to further their careers and enhance promotion prospects. This qualification can be used to achieve the requirements to become an Aproved Social Worker (ASW)
Typical modules may include
-Consolidation of knowledge and skills of mental health practice
-Mental Health Law
-Interprofessional approaches to values based mental health practice
-Mental Health Policy and Mental Health Practice
-Enabling others
-Assessed post qualifying specialist social work practice (core for PQSW)
-Assessed Practice Placement (core for ASW)