Overview

Social Work is much more than ‘helping people’. At its best it helps save lives, protect vulnerable people from harm and enhance the life chances of those in social need. The social work degree at Coventry University engages the head, the heart and the hands because theoretical knowledge, practical experience and human compassion are all considered essential requisites of an effective social worker.

This course encompasses contemporary issues in social work practice, it aims to give you an understanding of the knowledge, skills and attributes to be an effective social worker and make a positive difference to service users.

Coventry University has been educating social workers for over 50 years. Professionally accredited by Social Work England (SWE), on successful completion, you will be eligible to apply to SWE to register as a social worker (additional costs apply).

Course information

This course is designed to develop your professional skills and knowledge so that you may achieve a recognised SWE professional social work qualification. The curriculum centres on the Professional Capabilities Framework for Social Work currently held by the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) which comprises 9 domains: professionalism; values and ethics; diversity; rights, justice and economic wellbeing; knowledge; critical reflection and analysis; intervention and skills; and contexts and organisations.

You will study a range of academic topics ranging including the law relating to social work, understanding emotion in social work and essential skills such as communication skills and relationship building , These are all designed to help you to better understand people’s needs and life journeys and should quip you with the underpinning knowledge for practice.

The course is grounded in practice so that you can experience first-hand the contemporary challenges and rapidly changing patterns of social work provision. You will undertake two separate mandatory and assessed practice placements, one of 70 days and one of 100 days, which are both sourced by the University*. Supervised and supported by a qualified social worker and team members, you will explore applying theory to practice, undertake direct work with service users and evidence the capabilities required by completion of the degree. Placements potentially cover the whole life cycle from children to older people and a range of service user groups.

*This course may incur additional costs associated with any field trips, placements or work experience, study abroad opportunities or any other opportunity (whether required or optional), which could include (but is not limited to) travel, accommodation, activities and visas.