Social Work (Postgraduate Entry) (Taught)

The course consists of university-based teaching and 200 days of practice learning. In your first term you’ll be introduced to foundational social work knowledge, including contributions from the social sciences, such as psychology, sociology, social policy and politics, something which develops in greater depth as you progress through the course. Later in your first year and during your second, you’ll complete two placements lasting 70 and 100 days respectively.

Knowledge from professional areas such as counselling, education and health is also incorporated into teaching and learning across the programme and as part of this there are opportunities to work in larger interprofessional groups during your time on with us. In previous years this has included working with students from other vocational courses, such as medicine, midwifery, occupational therapy and education.

Teaching typically takes the form of workshop-style lectures, offering you opportunities to work closely with other students, qualified social workers and other professionals who may work closely with them.

In this sense, the course benefits from contributions from a number of external partners and you’ll also get to meet different people who’ve either been in contact with services themselves or care for someone who has. Use of actual and simulated case material is widely used within these sessions, helping you to apply your learning to real-world scenarios when on placement.

We’re especially keen to support you to become a curious, critical and compassionate practitioner so our teaching brings together concepts from critical theory, systemic thinking and relationship-based practice. Across the course you’ll be supported by regular tutorials to help meet your developmental needs. These will be facilitated by your Personal Academic Tutor, all of whom are social work qualified and registered with Social Work England.

It is possible to take the PGDip as a standalone qualification in 18–21 months, usually for candidates supported by an existing employer, or as an early exit award for those registered on the MSc who choose not to take the dissertation module but who meet all other PGDip requirements.

Year 1

Year 1 introduces core skills, theories and approaches for social work practice and social work research, the underpinning knowledge that you go on to apply during your placement. This knowledge base incorporates perspectives from across the social sciences, including psychology and sociology, enabling you to develop a holistic approach to practice – something supported by critical attention to social work values and ethics.

You will also complete Practice Learning 1:

This module is a mixture of university-based learning – including skills days and group tutorials – and practice learning via a 70 to 80-day placement. You will learn to apply relevant law, policy and social science and social work theory, methods, skills and research to practice by working directly with service users and carers. You’ll also explore social work values and ethics, crucially those of anti-discriminatory practice, social justice and inclusion.

Year 2

Year 2 builds on the learning already completed and is where you develop knowledge and skills for more specialist, complex and challenging practice. Contemporary social work practice and preparation for employment are explored to help prepare you for work after graduation. Research methods and methodologies are examined in depth as part of the dissertation for MSc students. Within this year, you will gain a greater awareness of yourself as a practitioner and undertake increased levels of autonomous and challenging practice.

You will also complete Practice Learning 2:

This module expands your learning and forms the second half of the placement requirement. Learning takes place within the university and in a 100-day statutory placement setting or an organisation that undertakes delegated statutory work. It will enable you to gain the skills required to intervene in complex and challenging situations, including those involving intersecting needs and risks. You’ll also develop critical analysis and reflection skills, in relation to your own practice and that of others.

Lifespan Development – Social and Psychological Contexts

This module introduces knowledge of human development across the lifespan including a range of bio-psychosocial and related theories such as systems theory. Different cultural contexts will be taken into account, including disability, mental health, harm and abuse, inequality, exclusion and discrimination. You’ll learn to critically evaluate relevant theory and research in relation to bio-psychosocial development and social work practice.

Legal and Policy Contexts of Decision-Making in Social Work

During this module you will analyse and apply legal/policy contexts of social work practice to different scenarios, taking into consideration legal responsibilities and statutory powers. Key topics include critical awareness human rights, equality, justice, discrimination and social inclusion issues; partnership working and ethical practice in accordance with social work values; anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice; and service user/carer choice and empowerment.

Critical Social Work in Practice and Research

This module enhances your learning and ability to critically engage with and evaluate situations involving competing demands, rights and values both in terms of social work practice and research. You’ll develop key attributes such as critical thinking, research mindedness, systemic appraisal and decision-making as well as skills for appraising, analysing, assessing and managing situations involving risk and the need for protection.

Research in Social Work: The Dissertation

This module involves an in-depth inquiry into a specific area of practice which allows you to develop the skills required to plan and execute an ethical small-scale qualitative research project. It involves the integration of knowledge relating to practice as well as research methodologies and methods and will develop your ability to independently carry out and evaluate research to inform your practice.

Contemporary Social Work

This module focuses on your continuing professional development and acts as a bridge towards qualification. You will review recent and emerging issues in social work practice and evaluate practice settings, including the challenges and opportunities faced by the sector and practitioners. The module provides a contemporary and critical overview of the functions of governmental bodies and other agencies involved in social work. It also encourages you to develop your ability to undertake critical and reflective self-assessment.

https://www.brighton.ac.uk/courses/study/social-work-msc-pgdip.aspx

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• Social Work England