Social Work (Taught)

Please check the Sheffield Hallam University website for the latest information.

Course Summary

• Study contemporary knowledge, legal responsibilities and duties of social workers.

• Apply ethically sound professional judgements to social work practice situations.

• Undertake practice placements in a range of social work areas and settings which meet Social Work England (SWE) standards and guidance.

• Develop problem-solving and shared-decision-making skills to address complex social work practice issues – required for your registration as a social worker.

Over two years you’ll expand your knowledge and practice skills, integrating legal frameworks which impact upon individuals and communities within local and global social work interventions. Through direct practice you’ll develop social work expertise to analyse and interpret research, evidence and statute effectively – presenting an appropriate course of action and recommendations in an anti-oppressive, rights-based manner in the multi-cultural context of the UK.

How you learn
Our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive. We take a global approach to social work – both individually and with student project groups – encouraging collaboration, professional curiosity, problem-solving skills and critical reflection.

You’ll explore case studies and real-world examples with practitioners and people with lived experience – intellectually challenging social work problems at national and global levels. You’ll develop evidence-based solutions, portfolios of evidence and transferable employability skills – preparing you to successfully register as a professional who makes ethically sound assessments and research-informed decisions.

You learn through:

• Lectures and seminars

• Specialist lectures from social work practice, carers and experts

• Interactive workshops

• Learning through reflection on practice

• Professional portfolio

• Presentations

• Use of digital technologies

• Directed learning

• Independent learning

Course topics
On this course you’ll integrate the underpinning knowledge base of social work practice, contemporary policy and legal frameworks which affect individuals and communities. You’ll learn to exercise initiative to address global social work practice issues, preparing you to register as a social worker.

You’ll utilise practice skills required in a contemporary employment setting within professional social work standards/guidance from Social Work England (SWE), and codes of ethics from the British Association of Social Work (BASW). These include planning and implementing tasks, adaptability, autonomy, leadership and reflective practice.

During your final year you’ll undertake a research project in a field of social work practice – with the potential to disseminate your research project further afield and within practice partnership forums.

Applied learning
Placements
Practice-based learning is a core element of this course. We work in partnership with five statutory sector, local authority social work providers, three NHS Foundation Trusts, and third sector organisations. It’s through working in partnership with these provider organisations that we’re able to allocate your placements. While our dedicated placement team manages the placement finding process, academic staff are key in supporting you in your placement application.