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BSW Social Work – Graduate Entry

Academic Year 2017/18

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance and Enhancement processes as set out in the DASA Policies and Procedures Manual.

Programme Title

BSW Social Work – Graduate Entry

Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)

Bachelor of Social Work

Programme Code

SWK-BSW-S

UCAS Code

L501

JACS Code

L500 (DESCR) 100

Criteria for Admissions

Graduates
Relevant Honours degree (minimum standard 2.2) where at least 33% of the course passed comprises one or more of the following: psychology, sociology, social policy/administration, law, education, nursing, youth and community work, early childhood studies, health and social care policy, housing or Honours graduates where 33% of the degree content is deemed by the University as relevant to social work. Graduates in other subjects (minimum standard 2.2.) who have successfully completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) will also be considered. All eligible applicants will be subject to a selection process, which will include an interview.

NB: All applicants should normally have GCSE English Language grade C or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University and must have GCSE Mathematics grade C or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University

Because of the professional nature of the course, a satisfactory Access NI check and registration with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council are required.

Applicants are advised to have some experience in employment or voluntary work of a social work nature.

ATAS Clearance Required

Health Check Required

Portfolio Required

Interview Required

Applicants being considered for an offer will be interviewed to assess their suitability for Social Work training. The interview is organised on a regional basis enabling candidates to have a single interview for all Northern Ireland Social Work programmes.

Mode of Study

Full Time

Type of Programme

Single Honours

Length of Programme

2 Academic Year(s)

Total Credits for Programme

240

Exit Awards available

INSTITUTE INFORMATION

Awarding Institution/Body

Queen's University Belfast

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Social Sciences, Education and Social Work

Framework for Higher Education Qualification Level
www.qaa.ac.uk

Level 6

QAA Benchmark Group
www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

Social work (2008)

Accreditations (PSRB)

Northern Ireland Social Care Council

Date of most recent Accreditation Visit 30-06-14

REGULATION INFORMATION

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

None

Programme Specific Regulations

The Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) accredits the programme and all students must register with NISCC and this registration must be maintained for the duration of the programme. NISCC is solely empowered to admit and retain students on its register.
Because of the nature of the programme and NISCC's requirements in relation to practice learning, semester lengths will vary and students may be required to attend practice placements outside normal working hours. Students who fail their Practice Learning will normally be allowed one opportunity to re-take these modules.
Because of the professional nature of the programme, attendance at all teaching sessions and practice learning days is compulsory.

Students with protected characteristics

N/A

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

Yes
The BSW degree is governed by the University's Fitness to Practice Procedure and such arrangements as are agreed with NISCC in relation to the maintenance of the register of student social workers.

EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF PROGRAMME

To provide a positive learning environment to enable graduate students to develop the knowledge, skills and values to demonstrate competence in social work in accordance with the requirements as set down by the Northern Ireland Framework Specification, 2014.

To provide graduate students with a creative range of high quality teaching and learning opportunities, based on principles of adult learning and utilising their graduate skills, to enable them to meet the academic standards of the BSW degree.

To provide graduate students with the opportunity to understand, analyse and critique the impact of social inequalities, injustice, discrimination and oppression on individuals, families and communities.

To provide graduate students with the opportunity to develop the necessary skills required for effective, competent and ethically sound practice.

To provide graduate students with the opportunity to develop critical, analytical and reflective skills relevant to both the academic and practice components of the programme.

To provide a learning environment for graduate students, which promotes continuous professional development, professional accountability and professional responsibility.

To provide a learning environment for graduate students to develop an approach to social work which enables service users to gain, regain or maintain control over their own lives in so far as this is compatible with their own or others safety or rights.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Critically analyse theories and perspectives and apply to practice related social issues and problems.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, tutorials and practice placement

Methods of Assessment

Assignments, student presentations and exams

Problem-solve by effective use of theory and knowledge in relation to personal and social problems

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, skills workshops, tutorials and practice placement

Methods of Assessment

Assignments, student presentations and exams

Relate theory to practice in ways which demonstrate effective and coherent interventions in practice.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, tutorials and practice placement

Methods of Assessment

Assignments, student presentations and exams

Relate theory to practice in ways that demonstrate ability to critically evaluate practice and policy.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, tutorials and practice placement

Methods of Assessment

Assignments, student presentations and exams

Use research to inform, direct and evaluate social work practice and outcomes.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, tutorials and practice placement

Methods of Assessment

Assignments, student presentations and exams

Use research to develop critical perspectives in social work.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, tutorials and practice placement

Methods of Assessment

Assignments, student presentations and exams

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Psychological, sociological and social policy perspectives relevant to social work knowledge, skills and practice.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, tutorials and practice placement

Methods of Assessment

Assignments, student presentations and exams.

The nature and causes of social problems which lead individuals, families and communities to require social work intervention.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, skills workshops, tutorials and practice placement

Methods of Assessment

Assignments, student presentations and exams.

The range of social service provision in statutory, voluntary and private agencies aimed at meeting the needs of individuals, families groups and communities.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, skills workshops, tutorials and practice placement

Methods of Assessment

Assignments, student presentations and exams.

The relationship between social care and professional social work within a range of social service provision in statutory, voluntary and private agencies.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, skills workshops, tutorials and practice placement

Methods of Assessment

Assignments, student presentations and exams.

The relationship between professional social work and other disciplines and skills required for effective inter-disciplinary, inter-agency and inter-professional partnerships and collaboration.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, skills workshops, tutorials and practice placement

Methods of Assessment

Assignments, student presentations, exams and Practice Teacher assessment of practice.

The processes, nature and effects of marginalisation, social exclusion, discrimination and oppression on individuals, families and communities.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, skills workshops, tutorials and practice placement

Methods of Assessment

Assignments, student presentations, exams and Practice Teacher assessment of practice.

The nature and effects of social differences based on class, gender, religion, race, ethnicity, sexuality, ability, mental health and other processes of social stratification on individuals, families and communities.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, skills workshops, tutorials and practice placement

Methods of Assessment

Assignments, student presentations, exams and Practice Teacher assessment of practice.

The relationship between agency policy, procedure, legal and professional requirements and the delivery of professional social work practice.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, tutorials and practice placement

Methods of Assessment

Assignments, exams and Practice Teacher assessment of practice.

The location of contemporary social work within both a historical and comparative perspective with particular reference to Northern Ireland and including European and international perspectives

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, tutorials and practice placement

Methods of Assessment

Assignments, student presentations and exams.

A range of methods and models of assessment with particular emphasis on risk assessment.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, skills workshops, tutorials and practice placement

Methods of Assessment

Assignments, student presentations, exams and Practice Teacher assessment of practice.

A range of methods and models of intervention with individuals, families, groups and communities.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, tutorials and practice placement

Methods of Assessment

Assignments, student presentations, exams and Practice Teacher assessment of practice.

Methods and models of evaluation of professional intervention and service delivery which emphasises evidence based practice approaches.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, skills workshops, tutorials and practice placement

Methods of Assessment

Assignments, student presentations, exams and Practice Teacher assessment of practice.

The relevance of research - local, national and international – to contemporary social work practice.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, tutorials and practice placement

Methods of Assessment

Assignments, student presentations and exams.

The importance of self-reflection and use of supervision to ensure practice is professional, responsibility, accountable and competent.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, skills workshops, tutorials and practice placement

Methods of Assessment

Assignments, student presentations, evaluation of formative skills assessment, and Practice Teacher assessment of practice.

The conceptual links between values, codes of ethical practice, regulation of professional conduct and delivery of ethically sound practice.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, skills workshops, tutorials and practice placement

Methods of Assessment

Assignments, student presentations, exams and Practice Teacher assessment of practice.

The relevance of community and information technology to social work practice and social work organisations.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, tutorials and practice placement

Methods of Assessment

Assignments, exams and Practice Teacher assessment of practice.

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Prepare for and work with individuals, families, carers, groups and communities to assess their needs and circumstances

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, tutorials and practice placement

Methods of Assessment

Assignments, formative skills assessment, and Practice Teacher assessment of practice.

Plan, carry out, review and evaluate social work practice with individuals, families, carers, groups, communities and other professionals

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, tutorials and practice placement

Methods of Assessment

Assignments, formative skills assessment, and Practice Teacher assessment of practice.

Support individuals to represent their needs, views and circumstances.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, tutorials and practice placement

Methods of Assessment

Assignments and Practice Teacher assessment of practice.

Manage risk to individuals, families, carers, groups, communities, self and colleagues.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, tutorials and practice placement

Methods of Assessment

Assignments and Practice Teacher assessment of practice.

Manage and be accountable, with supervision and support, for own social work practice.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, tutorials and practice placement

Methods of Assessment

Assignments and Practice Teacher assessment of practice.

Demonstrate and be responsible for professional competence in social work practice.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, tutorials and practice placement

Methods of Assessment

Assignments and Practice Teacher assessment of practice.

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Advanced skills in communication, oral presentation, negotiation, problem solving, management of self and others, networking and teamwork.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, skills workshops, tutorials and practice placement

Methods of Assessment

Assignments, student presentations, formative skills assessment, and Practice Teacher assessment of practice.

Beginning skills in working with quantitative and statistical data from an evidence based practice perspective

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, tutorials and practice placement

Methods of Assessment

Assignments, student presentations and exams

Skills in effective use of communication and information technology appropriate to a professional social worker.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, skills workshops, tutorials and practice placement

Methods of Assessment

Assignments, student presentations and Practice Teacher assessment of practice.

Beginning skills in managing their continuous professional development and lifelong learning.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, skills workshops, tutorials and practice placement

Methods of Assessment

Assignments, student presentations, formative skills assessment, and Practice Teacher assessment of practice.

Skills in working effectively in social welfare organisations

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, skills workshops, tutorials and practice placement

Methods of Assessment

Assignments, student presentations, formative skills assessment, and Practice Teacher assessment of practice.

MODULE INFORMATION

Programme Requirements

Module Title	Module Code	Level/ stage	Credits	Availability		Duration	Pre-requisite			Assessment
				S1	S2			Core	Option	Coursework %	Practical %	Examination %
Law for Social Workers	SWK2003	2	20	YES		12 weeks	N	YES		100%	0%	0%
Social Work Theory and Preparation for Practice Learning	SWK2007	2	20	YES		12 weeks	N	YES		100%	0%	0%
Practice Learning RGR2	SWK2015	2	20		YES	17 weeks	N	YES		100%	0%	0%
Evidence Informed Case Study (RGR2)	SWK2016	2	40		YES	17 weeks	N	YES		100%	0%	0%
Introduction to Social Sciences for Social Work	SWK2017	2	20	YES		12 weeks	N	YES		100%	0%	0%
Social Work with Children and Families	SWK3003	3	20	YES		12 weeks	N	YES		100%	0%	0%
Social Work in Adult Services	SWK3004	3	20	YES		12 weeks	N	YES		100%	0%	0%
Social Work in Criminal Justice and the Courts	SWK3008	3	20	YES		12 weeks	N	YES		100%	0%	0%
Evidence Informed Project (Level 3)	SWK3010	3	40		YES	20 weeks	N	YES		100%	0%	0%
Practice Learning Level 3	SWK3009	3	20		YES	20 weeks	N	YES		100%	0%	0%

Notes

Stage 2: Students must have passed SWK2007 to be permitted to undertake their practice learning opportunity.