StudyQA — Master: Social Work — University of Bedfordshire

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Description Contents Requirements

This course satisfies both General Social Care Council (GSCC) and academic requirements and thus successful students achieve both a higher degree and a professional qualification in social work. The various aspects of the course are fully integrated and you will be encouraged to develop academic and practice skills, plus, from the beginning of your studies, a value and evidence-based approach to the profession. Members of the social work teaching team are GSCC-registered social workers and have extensive practice experience with key groups of service users.

You will spend the first term of each year at the University. The second and third terms (January to July) comprise taught input at the University, as well as 100 days on placement in a variety of professional agencies where learning is supervised and assessed by a suitably experienced practitioner.

Placement opportunities include statutory settings as well as in private and voluntary agencies. Both encompass a wide range of service user groups and offer the opportunity to work in partnership with other relevant professionals. Practice learning is structured in recognition of the fact that you may embark on the course with only a limited knowledge of social work practice, but will complete it as a professional ready to embrace employment in a range of settings.

Assessment
The Programme is assessed using a range of methods including formally assessed papers, assignments, case studies, group and individual presentations, research based work and evidence drawn from Practice Learning in the work place.

These methods are designed to test students in all the areas necessary for competent practice as qualified Social Workers as well as the academic disciplines underpinning such practice. Through the use of a variety of assessment methods students will be able to demonstrate a wide range of key skills for both academic and practice competence. Practice Learning will be assessed over three periods of work-based learning in a variety of social work and related settings.

Educational Aims
The Programmes aim is:

To provide an effective learning experience to enable students to achieve a nationally recognised professional qualification in Social Work within the framework of an academically rigorous degree programme.

Objectives
* To provide a broad base of academic and practice learning at postgraduate level and to provide opportunities for further research and professional development
* To enable students to acquire the core knowledge, skills and values inherent in Social Work as identified in the Department of Health prescribed curriculum (DH 2002) and the Quality Assurance Agencys Benchmark Statement for Social Work (QAA 2008)
* To provide practice learning opportunities for students to develop, and demonstrate competence in, social work practice to meet the requirements of National Occupational Standards (TOPSS 2002)
* To promote equal opportunities and to challenge all forms of oppression and discrimination affecting minority groups in our society
* To support a postgraduate approach to study that includes a systematic and independent ability to develop, critically evaluate both theoretical understanding and practice
* To demonstrate a commitment to research, evaluation and monitoring to ensure quality assurance and that training remains effective and relevant to practice
* To demonstrate an on going commitment to work in collaboration with local employers, practitioners, service users and carers at all levels of the Programme
* To ensure that practice is knowledge-informed and evidence based

Applicants for the postgraduate Social Work programme must normally have been awarded an Upper Second Class Honours degree (2.1) in a programme of study at a recognised Higher Education Institution in a broadly social science based discipline.Students having a first degree not in a social science discipline, or of lower classification, may be considered if they can demonstrate substantial experience in Social Work/ Social Care in the previous five years.All successful applicants must submit a practice reference from a social care employer (paid or voluntary and within the last two years) who can verify that they have met the Department of Health requirement, "Ensure that all students undergo assessed preparation for direct practice to ensure their safety to undertake practice learning in a service delivery setting.This preparation must include the opportunity to develop a greater understanding of the experience of service users and the opportunity to shadow an experienced social worker" (Department of Health, 2002).All applications for the MSc Social Work programme will be assessed through a formal selection procedure in accordance with these requirements.Special Entry RequirementsThe Department of Health requirements for Social Work training require applicants to have achieved Key Skills Level 2 or above in English and Maths. This means that they must have a GCSE at Grade C or above, an `O´ level, or an equivalent qualification which includes and assessment of these skills (e.g. Access course).Candidates without these formal qualifications should still apply and will be asked to demonstrate, before commencing the programme, their achievement of the appropriate level of competence.Applicants will also be required, through the selection process, to demonstrate substantial relevant experience and an aptitude to work with people in need, i.e. the appropriate personal qualities, values and skills to be a social worker.All applicants selected for interview will be required to undertake a written task for which advance notice and a reading list will be providedAll applicants will be required to declare any previous offences (including cautions and formal warnings) and, if selected, successful applicants will be required to submit to a Criminal Records Bureau check to ensure their suitability for working with vulnerable groups.In addition applicants will need to complete a health check questionnaire and give permission for contact with their GP, where necessary, to confirm their suitability for Social Work training.As a significant proportion of this programme of study is conducted in Practice Learning agencies, the ability and willingness to travel to placements is an expectation. (The General Social Care Council Bursary includes a component to cover travel costs for placements). English Language Requirements CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 60 (Grade C)