BA (Hons) Social Work

Plymouth University

The QualificationBA (Hons) Social Work

• A three year degree programme which enables successful students to apply for registration with the Health & Care Professions Council as a qualified social worker.

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

• University attendance [3: 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

Course Structure

Year 3Establishing professional

identity

Self as practitioner; working with

complexity; social work processes;

100 days practice learning

Year 2 Transition to professional

identity

Developing professional self;

communities, organisations, systems and

environments; social work

methods; 70 days practice learning

Year 1Foundations for

social workUnderstanding 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; 30 days

assessed readiness for practice learning

Practice LearningYear 1Working at a volunteer level with people in settings such aschildren’s centres, residential homes, day care provision and learning about services related to a range of issues such as substance misuse, mental health, learning disability, dementia, homelessness and food-poverty.

Years 2 & 3Working as a student social worker with services including domestic abuse, refugees & asylum seekers, Looked After Children, safeguarding vulnerable adults and children, fostering & adoption, and many more including those listed above.

What you will be learning and developing:

•your communication skills•your assessment skills•promoting independence•working with other professionals•providing support and protection•balancing rights and risks•promoting social justice

You need to be prepared to travel to your practice placements.

Your Application What we look for during the short-listing process:

Applicants must possess the appropriate personal and intellectual qualities to be social workers.

Academic qualifications including:• 5 GCSEs at grade C or above (including English , Maths and Science). • A minimum of 300 points at A level or equivalent.(For example - Access to HEI, BTEC (social science profile), Baccalaureate).• Academic study within the last five years.

• Personal statement

• 2 References (one on the UCAS application, the second to be provided at the interview stage)

Personal Statement• Demonstrate an interest in and knowledge of the

profession. Why do you want to become a social worker?

• Provide evidence of related work experience.

• Demonstrate evidence of good communication skills.

• Demonstrate an ability to empathise with others and an awareness of your own values.

Personal Statement

• Provide evidence of problem solving skills and use of initiative.

• Show a willingness to learn and study independently or in groups.

• Provide details of extra curricular/outside interests.

• Demonstrate an ability to express yourself clearly in written form (within your application).

• Provide supportive references.

How Do We Select Applicants?

• A shortlisting process followed by an interview day incorporating:

Written test

Group discussion

individual interview

Consideration of references and UCAS application.

All offers are conditional on an acceptable disclosure and barring scheme (DBS) form, successful completion of qualifications, health checks.

Job Opportunities

• Statutory social work in local authorities.

• The voluntary, private and independent sectors.

• Multi-disciplinary teams.• Community-based work.• Working abroad.

Personal researchTo find out more about social work:

• Visit the British Association of Social Workers website www.basw.co.uk

• Visit the Health & Care Professions website www.hcpc-uk.org.uk

• Read books that could help you to understand the problems and challenges people face.

• Look at Community Care online news, information magazine.

• Read newspapers, for example the Guardian on a Wednesday has a section dedicated to social care issues.

BA (Hons) Social Work

at

Plymouth University

Any Questions?

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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