Course summary

Please note: This course is subject to University revalidation and approval by Social Work England. First entry to this course is September 2024. Gain the skills and knowledge you need to embark on a demanding but incredibly rewarding career with our BSc (Hons) Social Work degree at Northumbria. During your course, you will gain confidence and knowledge of social work, ensuring you are ready to support and improve the lives of everyday people, from all walks of life. Covering modules in Social Work Assessment and Intervention, Policy and Law, Ethics, Research, Safeguarding, and Leadership, you will gain knowledge which you can apply to your practice placements and, subsequently, your future employment. At Northumbria, you will be taught by leading academics who have extensive practical experience in a wide range of social work contexts. Furthermore, successful completion of the course, will enable you to apply for registration with Social Work England - a legal requirement for all practising social workers in England. What is a Social Worker? A social worker is someone who seeks to improve people’s lives by helping with social and interpersonal difficulties, promoting human rights, and wellbeing. . They can support many kinds of people including the elderly, those with disabilities, people who have a learning disability, young offenders, children at risk of abuse, children living in foster care, autistic people, refugees, asylum seekers, people experiencing mental health difficulties, and those vulnerable to drug or alcohol abuse. Social Work is motivated by human rights and the wellbeing of the public, ensuring that everyone, no matter their circumstances, is treated fairly and is safe from harm. They may do this by assessing the needs of an individual, planning the best solution to their problems, making referrals, organising support, or even providing direct support. The course is delivered through a range of learning and assessment methods, designed to ensure you can gain lots of transferable skills, such as independence, team working, research skills, leaderships, and time management. These skills are vital for any career, including Social Work. As well as this, you will take part in 170 days of assessed placements in the final two years of study. This will be a fantastic way to get hands-on, help real people, and get a real feel for the kind of clinical settings which you may work in after your studies. Why choose Northumbria to study Social Work? Top Department: Social Work at Northumbria is ranked top 20 in the UK (Times Good University Guide, 2024). Research Powerhouse: Social Policy is ranked 3rd in the UK for research power in the UK out of 76 submissions (REF, 2021). This represents a rise of 15 places compared to 2014. Excellent Connections: Our Social Work placements aim to provide you with the opportunity to gain skills in at least two practice settings. Our excellent connections with local healthcare organisations provides opportunities in residential settings, fieldwork teams, hospitals, day service/centre provision, and schools. Student Rated: 95% of students studying Social Work at Northumbria believed the library resources supported their learning and that their assessment feedback was often on time (NSS, 2023). Over 93% of students studying Social Work at Northumbria felt free to express their ideas, opinions, and beliefs (NSS, 2023). In December 2019, Social Work Education (SWE) became the new regulator for social work, replacing the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Since then, significant progress has been made to ensure a smooth and safe transition for social workers and the wider sector. Therefore, BA (Hons) Social Work is undergoing a University revalidation and approval by Social Work England which is planned to complete by Summer 2024. For more information, please visit https://www.socialworkengland.org.uk/news/launch-date-announced/