Course summary

Course overview

• Social workers work with a wide cross-section of society, including some of the most disadvantaged and excluded people. Our MA in Social Work provides a variety of opportunities for you to develop the knowledge, skills and appropriate values to work positively with people who have lived experience of social work practice.

• You’ll develop and integrate knowledge, skills and values for, and in, practice to meet the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) Professional Capabilities Framework at the Qualifying Level for Social Workers in England and the Standards for the Professional regulator (Social Work England).

• Values for ethical and effective social work practice are at the heart of the MA in Social Work course, underpinned by connection to people with lived experience of social work, research and the professional evidence base.

• You’ll spend approximately 200 days in supported practice settings, building on your academic learning to develop critical understanding of the practice context, professional skills and demonstrate values-based practice to professional standards.

• Teaching is provided in a block alongside a blend of opportunities to apply and explore this learning in respect of people with lived experience of social work practice and with social work practitioner contact.

• Professionalism: developing awareness in students of how to behave as a professional social worker and in accordance with professional requirements.

• Values and ethics: understanding and applying values and ethics to practice in an anti-oppressive and anti-discriminatory manner.

• Diversity: recognising diversity in all its forms and applying anti-oppressive principles in practice.

• The advancement of human rights, social justice and economic wellbeing.

• Applying knowledge for social work: knowledge of human growth and development, psychology, social policy, sociology, law, research and theory for social work.

• Critical reflection and analysis in respect to professional decision making: critical approach to contexts, professional development and individuals/groups concerned.

• Self-awareness, emotional intelligence and skills and knowledge for resilience within a challenging profession.

• Skills to intervene to promote independence, provide support and prevent harm and abuse – both digitally and in person.

• Working in organisations. including collaborative working between agencies/organisations and individuals/professionals.

• Taking responsibility for professional learning and development of yourself and others through leadership.