BA (Hons) Social Work

The Qualification

BA (Hons) Social Work•Three year degree which also confers professional social work qualification and the right to be registered with the Health Care Professions Council

•Designed to allow students who are in employment to participate in the course if sponsored by their agency

•University attendance [3/2: 2: 1 day] plus e-learning and practice placements

Course AimsTo produce graduates who are…

…accountable, reflective and self-critical practitioners

(i) able to demonstrate the ability to integrate specific subject knowledge, values and skills

(ii) equipped with the knowledge, values and skills to promote and protect individual and collective well being in complex situations

(iii) able to promote social justice within a global context of climate change and sustainability

Year 3

Self as practitioner; working with

complexity; social work processes;

100 days practice learning

Year 2

Developing professional self;

communities, organisations, systems and

environments; social work

methods; 80 days practice learning

Year 1

Understanding self as inquiring,

reflective and self managing learner; introduction to the

context of the social work

environment and to the knowledge base and methods

of social work; preparation for

practice

Course Structure

Practice Structure

Year 2

Transition to Professional Identity

• 80 days throughout academic year • Preparation and assessment; plan and provide service; monitor, evaluate & professional development (National Occupational Standards)

Year 3

Establishing Professional Identity

• 100 days throughout academic year• Complex work, assessing some risk

Year 1

Foundations for social work:

• Being useful; safe practice; sensitivity & values; responsibility (GSCC Code of Practice)

• Social Care Work Experience

• Community Development Project

• Social work shadowing experience

• Statutory observation

Practice LearningYear 1Community Development Project &Social Care Work Experience• Women’s Aid • MIND Befriending ServiceYear 2• START• Learning disability team• International placementsYear 3• Trevi House• Children and families intake team

• Residential holiday for children from inner city areas.• Helping on a Soup Run.• Helping in a day service for older people.• Working with individual service users/carers.• Working on an allotment project.• Supporting refugees and asylum seekers.• Developing a skate park for young people.• Working with people who are homeless.• Supporting families of prisoners and people in the court process.• Supporting patients in a hospital ward setting.

What might you be doing in practice?

Placements

You may be required to travel for your practice placements, developing a broader practice experience

Your ApplicationTotality of the Application

• Academic Qualifications including:

- 5 GCSE’s at grade C or above (including English and Mathematics)

- A minimum of 240 points at A level or equivalent (Must include at least 160 points from two A levels or one 12-unit award. AS levels may also contribute)

• Personal statement• References

Your ApplicationWhat we look for:

Non Standard Academic Qualifications• BTEC or Diploma in a science related area

• Access to higher education, to include Social Science units at L3

• Applications from those returning to education are welcome

• Evidence of academic study in the last five years is required

Personal Statement

• Demonstrate an interest and knowledge for the profession

• Evidence of related work experience

• Demonstrate evidence of good communication skills

• Ability to empathise with others

• Problem solving and use of initiative

Personal Statement

• Ability to study/work independently and in groups

• Extra curricular/outside interests

• Willingness to learn

• Quality of written work

• Supportive references

Recommended Study Skills

Entry is competitive

Students are advised to be positive about study skills as it will enable you to study more effectively. Addressing the following skills is particularly good preparation

• Numeracy: Including fractions & decimals

• Literacy: Including scan reading, academic writing, spelling and grammar

• IT skills: Word processing, e-mail and the use of the internet

• Read around people’s lives and social justice

How Do We Select Applicants?

Competition for places…

Large demand for Social Work places

Many applications meet the minimum requirements -so you need to…

let us know what you have…and what you’ve done…

that makes you different!

•Commitment to the course

• Be sure before you start

• Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check

• Occupational health screen

If Offered a Place

Job Opportunities•Statutory social work for local authorities

•The voluntary and independent sectors

•Multi-disciplinary teams

•Hospital social work

•Community-based work

BA (Hons) Social Work

at

PLYMOUTH UNIVERSITY

A copy of this presentation can be found on the University website shortly after the open day at:

www.plymouth.ac.uk/opendays

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