About the course
If you wish to develop your competence and expertise as a social worker in this challenging field, this course gives you the current knowledge, decision-making skills and mental agility you need to produce the best outcomes for vulnerable children and families.
The course is aimed at registered social workers practising in the area of children and families service provision. The course content is underpinned by the Professional Capabilities Framework (BASW 2018); the chief social worker’s Knowledge & Skills Statements (KSS); and current evidence from research. It provides children and families practitioners with an advanced systematic understanding, research-informed knowledge and the analytical skills needed for a high level of competent practice.
The course is normally completed within five years, on a part-time basis.
Intermediate qualifications available:
- Postgraduate certificate – 60 credits at Master’s level
- Postgraduate diploma – 120 credits at Master’s level
Why choose this course?
- Gain an advanced understanding of how best to contribute to protecting vulnerable children by making well-informed, professional judgements, based on critical reflection and an analysis of complex evidence
- Contribute to specialist expertise in children and families social work, playing a leading role in practice development within your work place
- Promote a culture of professional curiosity by embracing current research and new ideas with the aim of improving the quality of experience for service users, families and carers
- Refine your skills in working collaboratively in ever-changing environments
- Enhance your confidence, resilience, adaptability and self-awareness so you can evaluate and plan for your own future direction and learning needs
- Our Schools work closely with the Institute of Health Research (IHR) and the Institute of Applied Social Research (IASR), both of which are renowned for their globally influential research
- The majority of research undertaken at the Institute of Applied Social Research (IASR) has been rated internationally excellent or world-leading by the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
Units
- A Trauma Informed Approach To Relationship Based Social Work (ASS143-6) Compulsory
- Applied Research Skills In Social Work (ASS032-6) Compulsory
- Complex Assessments, Decision Making, Analysis And Risk (ASS038-6) Compulsory
- Dissertation For Social Workers (ASS091-6) Compulsory
- Adult Exploitation And Safeguarding (ASS144-6) Optional
- Applying Knowledge To Work Based Learning (ASS087-6) Optional
- Complexities Of Forced Migration, Human Displacement, Trafficking And Refuge (ASS064-6) Optional
- Practice Educator Training: Stage 1 (ASS085-6) Optional
- Sexual Abuse And Exploitation (ASS145-6) Optional
- Supervising For Quality And Performance In Social Work (ASS030-6) Optional
- Young People Group Offending And Violent Crime (ASS016-6) Optional
Registration
Applicants must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) or any other social work regulator in the United Kingdom.
Qualification
To be eligible to apply for the course, applicants will normally have an Honour's degree (2:2 or above); a professional qualification in social work; and one year of post-qualifying experience.
Experience
All applicants must be practising social workers in a children and families social work setting. Applicants will normally have a minimum of one year of post-qualifying experience within the children and families setting for direct entry into the course.
Recognition of prior certificated learning (RPCL)
Students seeking recognition of prior certificated learning (RPCL) will be referred to the University of Bedfordshire's regulations for admission with advanced standing. Each case will be assessed on its merit and in line with the University's maximum permissible credit transfer for the level of award sought.
How will this course improve my career prospects?
Once the course is completed, you will be able to specialise within your field, and there is increased demand for advanced practitioners in children and family social work.
Many students take the course to develop their career or change direction. The focus of the course as a whole will help you to review your career, and plan for using your new skills and knowledge in practice.
You may also like to continue your professional development by progressing to a Professional Doctorate programme, including Bedfordshire’s Professional Doctorate in Children and Young People’s Services and the Professional Doctorate in Systemic Practice.
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