Overview

Our BA (Hons) Social Work provides you with the skills and knowledge to meet the challenges and developments in today’s contemporary social work practice. An honors degree in social work is the generic qualification for social work and can lead to a long career as a professional social worker with adults or children.

We have an excellent record of our graduates getting professional employment and our graduates are highly regarded by local employers. All students participate in the same core curriculum so that they are equipped to undertake any job role suitable for a newly qualified social worker. Throughout the course, as part of the placement experience, you may be required to participate in a shift pattern rota or work weekends. It is a requirement of this course for you to complete supervised placements in years two and three. The majority of local authorities who work with the University to provide placement opportunities require you to have access to and use of a car and adequate insurance covering business use in order to attend visits. Further details will be provided at the interview stage and you will be asked to sign a suitability declaration which also includes confirmation that you hold a valid driving license. If due to individual circumstances, you are unable to drive or have particular difficulties in accessing your own transport, these circumstances will be considered but should be discussed with the University at the interview.

Professional accreditation

Achievement of BA (Hons) Social Work gives you eligibility to apply for registration as a social worker with Social Work England, the professional regulator. The course includes two assessed placements in social work settings. The placements will be in different settings with different service user groups and at least one placement will normally be in a statutory setting or in a placement where statutory work can be experienced.

Please note attendance is monitored during this program.

Our BA (Hons) Social Work provides you with the skills and knowledge to meet the challenges and developments in today’s contemporary social work practice. An honors degree in social work is the generic qualification for social work and can lead to a long career as a professional social worker with adults or children.

We have an excellent record of our graduates getting professional employment and our graduates are highly regarded by local employers. All students participate in the same core curriculum so that they are equipped to undertake any job role suitable for a newly qualified social worker. Throughout the course, as part of the placement experience, you may be required to participate in a shift pattern rota or work weekends. It is a requirement of this course for you to complete supervised placements in years two and three. The majority of local authorities who work with the University to provide placement opportunities require you to have access to and use of a car and adequate insurance covering business use in order to attend visits. Further details will be provided at the interview stage and you will be asked to sign a suitability declaration which also includes confirmation that you hold a valid driving license. If due to individual circumstances, you are unable to drive or have particular difficulties in accessing your own transport, these circumstances will be considered but should be discussed with the University at the interview.

Professional accreditation

Achievement of BA (Hons) Social Work gives you eligibility to apply for registration as a social worker with Social Work England, the professional regulator. The course includes two assessed placements in social work settings. The placements will be in different settings with different service user groups and at least one placement will normally be in a statutory setting or in a placement where statutory work can be experienced.

Please note attendance is monitored during this program.

Course details

In the first year, you are introduced to the core skills and values of social work and what it means to be a professional social worker. You are also introduced to the legal and policy context of social work, which governs its roles and responsibilities, and learns about human development and how people react to difficult life events and life changes. In addition, you develop key communication skills all as part of your Readiness for Direct Practice

In the second year, you learn in more detail about the nature of social problems faced by different groups in society and how as a social worker you can intervene to support and empower service users and their carers and families. Specialist modules in working with adults and working with children ensure that you are ready for your first professional placement*, whatever the setting. This placement takes place in January for 70 days full time,

In the final year, you complete one more module prior to undertaking your second placement in a different setting. This module examines the importance of values and ethics in the decision-making process and understanding the organizational context of contemporary practice. In addition, there is also a final year project to complete along with a final year presentation in which you evaluate your professional development as a student social worker.

The course is taught at our Middlesbrough campus in the vibrant heart of the city. You undertake placements in a range of adult and children placements in both the statutory and voluntary sectors across the North East. All our placements are quality assured to ensure suitability for social work and you are supported by a qualified practice educator along with your personal tutor whilst you are on placement.

Course structure

Year 1 core modules

A variety of communication methods that are essential across the broad spectrum of social work practice and client groups are introduced in this module, equipping you with the necessary skills to communicate at all levels, including legal proceedings and working directly with different service user groups. The assessment enables you to demonstrate your Readiness for Direct Practice and is an assessed conversation and reflective commentary.

Law and Social Policy

You are introduced to the role of legislation and social policy in shaping contemporary social work practice.? The module explains why legislation is important for social workers and the principles of key legislation that inform current practice with children and families and adults are identified.

How you learn

Teaching methods include group work and skills days, as well as lectures alongside practice-based learning opportunities.

How you are assessed

The BA (Hons) Social Work uses a number of assessment approaches including essays, group and individual presentations, am extended projects, reports, and assessment of skills in interacting with service users and carers, as well as being assessed on your knowledge and practice-based skills on placements.

Career opportunities

An honors degree in social work can lead to a long career as a professional social worker with adults or children. There are many job opportunities in local authority social work departments as well as voluntary sector organisations and increasingly new types of employers such as social enterprises and the private sector. The degree also provides you with transferable skills including report writing and interpersonal skills which can be applied across a range of graduate employment opportunities.