Nottingham Trent University Programme Specification

Transcription

1 Nottingham Trent University Programme Specification Basic Programme Information 1 Awarding Institution: Nottingham Trent University 2 School/Campus: School of Social Sciences/ City 3 Final Award, Programme Title and Modes of Study: B A (Hons) Social Work Full time and Part-time 4 Normal Duration: 3 years Full time, 3.5 years Part-time 5 UCAS code: L500 6 Overview and general educational aims of the programme The B A (Hons) Social Work: (Professional Qualification) is the national award which the University has delivered since its introduction in The award is the required professional qualification which will allow you to become registered as a Social Worker with the General Social Care Council (GSCC) on the successful completion of the programme. The award is generic which means you will be qualified to work in a variety of social work / social care agencies in both the statutory (local authority sector) or in the voluntary or independent sectors. You are required to complete 200 days in supervised professional practice on the programme. The Programme has been planned with and is delivered in partnership with local social work agencies: Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Social Services and Framework Housing Association. The Programme s curriculum will harness and develop the important transferable skills required for social work practice in such areas as interpersonal and communication skills, drawing from a wide range of relevant theory and knowledge in order to assess, plan and evaluate your interventions. Social workers work with groups of people who are often marginalised and socially excluded, and your capacity to work in an empowering anti-discriminatory way with service users and carers will be at the core of the practice skills you will develop. Your work and learning will be supported by your Learning Adviser throughout the three years of the Programme. She/ He will meet with you regularly to review and plan your learning needs, utilising your Personal Development Planner. On entry, your learning support needs will be assessed and appropriate support services provided as far as possible within the university and by partner agencies on placement. 1

2 Your work and learning will be supported in a wide variety of approaches including the increasing use of the Virtual Learning Environment (an internet facility known as Nottingham Trent On-line Workspace or NOW). This facility provides web-based links to key documents, teaching materials and allows the development of on-line discussions. NOW also contains vital student information such as your personal timetable, and results of assessed work. The following are aims for the Programme. I. To provide a portfolio of modules, characterised by common principles and standards of teaching, learning opportunities and assessment II. To deliver an integrated academic and practice curriculum, based upon excellence in teaching, evidence- based practice knowledge, contemporary research and critical theoretical analysis of Social Work, Social Care and Social Welfare III.To foster a dynamic, creative and supportive learning environment, that will promote and encourage individual and personal responsibility for learning, within a supportive, enabling and anti - discriminatory environment IV. To produce graduates with transferable intellectual skills, including analysis, critical evaluation and reflection V. To produce graduates who possess core skills in personal and professional development, and which encompass communication, IT and numerical skills, working with others, problem - solving and managing information VI. To produce graduates who demonstrate the acquisition and application of subject knowledge and professional skills as defined by the Subject Benchmark Statement for Social Work VII.To develop, with practice agency partners, graduates who are qualified and equipped to meet the practice requirements of the Social Work and Social Care Sectors in accordance with the published National Occupational Standards VIII.To produce graduates who demonstrate an adherence to professional values and ethics as defined by the General Social Care Council Code of Conduct IX. To determine graduates as fit for professional practice, having satisfied all of the Requirements for Social Work training, and therefore to be eligible for GSCC Registration The Programme Learning Outcomes are primarily based on the Benchmark Statement for Social Work (QAA 2008) and the National Occupational Standards for Social Work (TOPSS 2002 now available through Skills for Care website). They also pay attention to recent developments in social work education and training: the Tasks and Roles of Social Workers for the 21 st Century (GSCC, Skills for Care, Children s Workforce Development Council joint publication 2008) and the Newly Qualified Social Worker Outcomes Statements (CWDC 2009). 7 Programme outcomes Programme outcomes describe what you should know and be able to do by the end of your 2

3 programme if you take advantage of the opportunities for learning that we provide. Knowledge and understanding. By the end of the programme you should be able to: 1. Critically appraise the diversity and uniqueness of potential users of social work services and the contexts in which they live (B). 2. Critically analyse the purpose and role of a social worker with a variety of service user groups within a variety of service settings (B). 3. Evaluate the effectiveness of working in partnership with users of social work services, carers & other professionals in various service settings (B). 4. Demonstrate a critical understanding of professional knowledge, theory, values, codes of practice, legislation and policy that underpins social work practice (B). 5. Recognise professional accountability to the professional body, the social work agency and service users (B). 6. Examine personal and professional development including antioppressive practice through self reflection, supervision in practice and assessment (B). 7. Demonstrate a critical appreciation of the nature, sources, and content of empirical knowledge available to support good social work practice (B). Skills, qualities and attributes. By the end of the programme you should be able to: 1. Critically appraise your ability to reflect on and learn from the exercise of your skills (B) 2. Demonstrate the capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning 3. Acquire and integrate the problem-solving skills of: thinking critically and reflectively; finding, evaluating and managing information from a wide range of sources and assessing its reliability and validity; analysing, evaluating and synthesising knowledge and use your knowledge of a range of interventions and evaluation processes appropriately (B) 3

4 4. Present a convincing academic argument by communicating clearly, accurately and precisely (both orally and in writing) with individuals and groups in a range of formal and informal situations (B) 5. Work effectively in an anti-oppressive manner with others in a range of situations (B) 6. Exercise judgement in planning work and using time effectively 7. Autonomously utilize ICT methods and techniques as well as numerical skills to support your learning and your practice (B) 8. Understand the significance of the concepts of continuing professional development and lifelong learning and accept responsibility for your own continuing personal and professional development (B) 8 Teaching and Learning Methods The teaching and learning strategy of the Programme aims to transfer an increasing amount of responsibility for learning to you, the individual student, as befits a programme whose objective is to produce professionally qualified practitioners. This is a gradual process over the three years but seeks to establish your personal autonomy and responsibility for learning and professional development. You will be supported by your Learning Adviser throughout the Programme during both university based modules and in the professional practice placements. The NTU Personal Development Planner provides a vehicle with which to record and review your learning and your future goals. Throughout all the modules the range of learning activities includes: lectures, opportunities for small group discussions, seminars, activity based workshops, individual and group presentations. You will also examine and evaluate case studies and research evidence. All modules are supported by the NOW resources which allow you to access module lectures, join on-line debates, locate resources including digitized book chapters, as well as other links via the internet. NOW provides essential communication facilities including , conferencing, and monitoring attendance. Valuable contributions to teaching are made by service users, carers and specialist practitioners from partner agencies and these will usually be delivered in a workshop format, providing opportunities to test and explore self-awareness and interpersonal communication skills via role-plays and group work. You will be involved in some group presentations which provide an important experience of small group working, their dynamics and processes and which help identify your own capacities as a team worker. 4

5 The capacities to research, analyse and present material are important transferable professional skills and they will be enhanced by individual projects and case presentations in the programme, particularly in levels two and three. As a practitioner it is very important that you are able to openly and honestly evaluate, review and reflect upon your own learning and abilities. This process of critical reflection is specifically addressed in practice via the Practice Assessor and in the academic programme with your Learning Adviser (tutor). As an integrated curriculum there is a dynamic relationship between the teaching and learning in the university and the practice learning periods. The specific aim of the curriculum is to prepare you for practice by providing you with the appropriate knowledge and skills, informed by an ethical value base. 9 Assessment Methods The first written work you will be asked to produce will not be formally assessed but will provide you with a diagnostic assessment - an opportunity to test out your ability to produce written work at the appropriate level. Positive developmental feedback will be provided. The Programme includes the following assessment methods: Assessed essays, interview techniques, assessment skills, child observation, portfolios, IT tests, placement reports, presentations, (group and individual), seen and unseen examinations, policy paper, literature review, court report, case study and a dissertation in your final year. The latter major assignment provides you with the opportunity to critically review and analyse an area of practice incorporating research as evidence of effectiveness. This is an important demonstration of your ability to integrate the academic and practice curriculum. The Assessment Schedule sets out the modules of the programme, their credit rating and how they are assessed for the full time and part time routes. With regard to the practice element you will enter the programme with a provisional fitness to undertake practice learning status and you must pass a Readiness to Practice interview and meet all the requirements linked to your Foundation Assessed Practice Learning Period 1 in order to progress into Level 2 of the programme. The Intermediate Assessed Practice Learning Period 2 requires you to satisfy all the practice elements of your placement in order to move into the final year. Completion of all the practice elements in Level 3 will mean you achieve accredited fitness for qualification and registration. The assessment of practice is undertaken by an on-site mentor in conjunction with your Learning Adviser in Level 1 and by a Practice Assessor in the Level 2 and 3 Practice Learning Periods. This assessment is in respect of a regionally agreed practice curriculum which sets out the National Occupational Standards that the student must demonstrate in order to gain the professional qualification. The National Occupational Standards Map shows in which Practice Learning Period your NOS will be assessed. It also shows which modules provide specific teaching to 5

6 enhance your understanding of key concepts on practice. 10 Programme structure and curriculum The Programme is delivered by in two modes: a full-time route and a part-time route. The latter has been developed in partnership with our social work agency partners in order to meet the educational needs of their experienced staff in allowing them to gain a degree and a professional qualification concurrent with their employment. This part time route is mainly available to employees of partner agencies (although a small number of places may be accessed by other local and regional employers). Blended learning and teaching approaches are incorporated into both routes, the part-time route making more extensive use of the Nottingham Trent On-line Workspace (NOW). Current social work practitioners contribute regularly to the teaching of the programme ensuring its contemporary currency for practice. This Programme is generic in accordance with the current national requirements for honours degree level qualification awards. This means that the programme of study will prepare students for employment in any area of professional practice. Students have to study and pass all modules at all three levels. There are no optional routes or any undergraduate specialisms. By the time students graduate they are expected to attain the attributes identified in the NTU Strategic Plan. They are following a defined career path and will by this time have a good idea of what type of social work they prefer to go into. The modules that you will study in Level 1 are: Foundation Assessed Practice Learning Period I - 20 credits Assessment and Intervention Strategies 20 credits Human Growth and Development in a Social Context 20 credits Interpersonal and Communication Skills 20 credits Key Themes in Social Work 20 credits Skills for Study and Practice - 20 credits In Level 2 you will study: Intermediate Assessed Practice Learning Period 2 30 credits Evidence Based Social Work 20 credits Legal Context of Social Work Practice 20 credits Developing Reflective Practice 10 credits Social Policy in the Context of Social Work Practice 20 credits Statutory Intervention and Protection 20 credits Modules in Level 3 are: Final Assessed Practice Learning Period 3 40 credits Dissertation 20 credits 6

7 Organisation and Management 20 credits Working with Adults 20 credits Working with Children, Young People and Families 20 credits Social Work education requires 200 days of practice which is structured as follows: Full time students 1. Level 1: Two 25 day Practice Learning Opportunities working with a Mentor to demonstrate how you have met the requirements of a Practice Curriculum. These two Placement Learning Opportunities provide an important opportunity for students to widen and consolidate their experience in social work. They may also help you decide in which setting you would hope to practice when qualified. 2. Level 2: A 70 day full-time practice learning opportunity in either a statutory or voluntary agency. You will carry responsibility for a range of work in order to demonstrate meeting the required National Occupational Standards. A Practice Assessor will provide supervision and will work with you to produce the required evidence. Level 3: An 80 day practice learning opportunity as above but if your Level 2 placement was in a non-statutory agency this will be in a statutory setting. You will work closely with a Practice Assessor who will support your professional development and assess it in line with the National Occupational Standards. Part-time students will use the full calendar year to achieve both practice and academic demands. In Levels 1 and 2 they utilise their own workplace for 100 days of practice learning. They will complete academic work only in Year 3 and undertake the placement in an alternative practice setting in Year 4 of their studies. Interim Awards The title of a Social Worker is protected under the Care Standards Act 2000 therefore if students do not complete the whole degree they are not eligible to join the register of Social Workers. However students who have started on the BA Social Work may want to continue their studies without some of the placements. If a student does not successfully complete their practice learning modules or is prevented from doing so under suitability proceedings they may be able to transfer to the BA (Hons) Health and Social Care degree or transfer to the BA (Hons) Social Welfare degree by continuing with the academic modules from Social Work and topping up with modules from the Health and Social Care degree. At the end of Level 1 a student can be awarded a CertHE in Social Welfare; at the end of Level 2 it would be a DipHE in Social Welfare. A student achieving 300 credits can be awarded an Ordinary degree in Social Welfare. 7

8 11 Admission to the programme Entry Requirements Social work students are required by the Department of Health to have Maths and English Language GCSE Grade C or equivalent. In addition, they should have 240 A level points. Equivalent qualifications include an Access to Higher Education Certificate; Advanced level GNVQ at Distinction or Merit; BTEC National Diploma at Distinction or Merit; NVQ at level three is also acceptable. All should be in relevant subjects. Students over 21 do not need to meet the A-level equivalent criteria (non standard entries) but will be required to give evidence of academic ability e.g. Open University studies or show academic skills such as research and writing reports as demonstrated in the workplace. Applicants need to possess relevant professional practice experience, including paid or voluntary experience in the area of social work, social care, community work or other related fields. Within the personal statement, applicants need to demonstrate their understanding of the social work role and begin to make links to the Codes of Conduct within the work they have already embarked upon. Application procedure for full-time route Entry for the full time route is by application through UCAS only. See After shortlisting, suitable applicants are invited for an interview, after which places are offered. The interview day for full time applicants includes: A question and answer session with current social work students (where possible). Completion of an individual written piece of work in the form of a short essay where you are expected to be able to demonstrate a beginning knowledge and understanding of social work, including current affairs and the incorporation of the General Social Care Council's Code of Conduct. This written task additionally forms a brief assessment of academic writing skills. An individual interview conducted with two people; one academic member of staff and either a practising social worker, a service users or carer. Applicants have to pass both the written test and the formal interview. Unsuccessful applicants are given feedback for developmental purposes. 8

9 At the time of the selection process all applicants currently need to present a completed criminal conviction declaration form and a health declaration form as part of the suitability criteria. Application procedure for Part-time route Both Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire councils advertise within their own organisation targeting employees who are already working in the social care field with at least one full year s experience. Part-time applicants have to be employed within a social care/work setting and be able to demonstrate and utilise the National Occupational Standards within their work base as half their practice learning will take place within their workplace. Part time students apply through their employers or direct to the programme admissions tutor. Students on the part-time route also need to meet the entry criteria and shortlisted individuals will have an interview jointly between the university and their employing agency. Criminal Record Bureau Disclosure Admission to social work training is subject to enhanced CRB disclosure which requires proof of identity and reveals any recorded criminal convictions, cautions and disciplinary matters. This is a legal requirement for those who will be working with vulnerable people. There is an additional cost to the student for this process. The new ISA requirements may mean that students have to confirm their identity at interview stage in order to complete the process prior to the commencement of the programme. Applicants who have any concerns about this aspect of the application are advised to contact the admissions tutor before applying. Health Declarations Disclosure of health matters which may impact on academic or practice learning is another suitability component of GSCC. The aim is to ensure adequate preparation of support following Disability Discrimination Act guidelines. In consultation with Student Support Services, health concerns will be discussed with candidates and medical advice may be sought. 9

10 GSCC Registration Students on the BA (Hons) Social Work programme must register with GSCC upon enrolment. Although staff at NTU aim to select students suitable for social work practice, the GSCC has the final say over registration. CRB checks must therefore be completed at the earliest opportunity to avoid students being offered places which might later need to be questioned. 12 Support for Learning 8. Student Support Induction for full-time and part-time students Students are involved in an induction programme with the following objectives: To introduce them to the programme s structure To establish a feeling of belonging to the group and to begin supportive co-operative networks and friendships. It is essential that group members feel comfortable with each other as they will be working in groups throughout the programme in a range of fairly learning intense activities including role plays, presentations and discussions. To identify important learning resources including student s allocated Learning Adviser, who will play a key co-ordinating and supportive role throughout their studies in the university and whilst on placement. An important tool that will be used from the start of the programme is the Personal Development Planner. This contains a range of activities to enable students to identify their learning needs as well as to explore aspects of themselves as a person and as a prospective employee. Students will be introduced to the university wide learning provisions including the library, the e-resources such as the Nottingham On-line Workspace, Student Support Services for those with particular learning needs, as well as School based Student Support including literacy and numerical queries. Roles of Staff Full-time and Part-time students have a network of staff to support them whilst on the programme. Students have support for both the practice and the academic curricula. Role of Learning Adviser At the beginning of the Programme, each student, whether part-time or full-time, is allocated to a Social Work Learning Adviser. Subject to staffing resources, students remain with their Learning Adviser for the duration of the Programme. The Learning Advisers are employed by the university either as lecturers in the social work team or on a part-time basis specifically to provide this service. They are experienced professionally qualified workers and are consequently in an excellent position to 10

11 support and guide students through their studies and placements. The Learning Adviser meets regularly with each student and at the end of the programme writes the student s reference so needs to have a good knowledge of the student s experience, strengths and learning needs. Learning Adviser meetings are held at least once per term to catch up with changes and discuss forthcoming programme activities. These meetings, the minutes from them as well as a designated Learning Adviser liaison role help to maintain consistency and equivalence. Identified Learning Needs Wherever possible any identified learning needs these will be assessed in conjunction with Student Support Services prior to the commencement of the programme in order that any necessary services can be put in place from the start. A nominated Disabled Students Liaison Officer will provide the necessary contact between academic, practice and student support services. Part time students have access to the Universities Disability Support systems and make use of the services of notetakers and additional exam time. Additional support on a non-university day needs to be negotiated with the student and their employing agency. Some agencies provide their own support mechanisms including the Black Workers Support Group which full time students are able to attend. Support in Practice Placements Members of The Social Work Practice Development Team work closely with the agency partners in the arranging and planning of all the professional placements. This process seeks to ensure that each placement will provide a good learning experience and a suitably qualified Mentor (on-site supervisor, not necessarily a social worker) or Practice Assessor (may be on-site or long arm qualified social worker who is responsible for assessing the students competence at meeting the National Occupational Standards). Academic Support Each Level of the programme has a year-tutor who helps to co-ordinate the teaching and learning process and liaises with the relevant programme leader and teaching team. Issues such as timetabling, moderation and attendance monitoring are taken up by year tutors. The Programme Leader for the part-time route will be the first port of call for part-time students but may feel it more appropriate to pass some queries on to the Year Tutor. A member of social work teaching staff plays a key link role with the library to ensure texts and resources are updated and current. This is in addition to the role of 11

12 each module leader who ensures, with the liaison library staff, that the module is appropriately resourced and current. 13 Graduate destinations/ employability The professional social work programmes at Nottingham Trent University have a good national as well as local reputation and there is a very high success rate for graduates gaining full-time employment. The generic nature of the award means that all completing students are qualified to apply for jobs in a variety of settings. However the programme seeks to place you, for your final practice placement, in the setting in which you hope to gain employment on graduation. The programme was developed and is managed and jointly delivered by a partnership of local social work agencies. These include Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Local Authorities, voluntary and independent organisations. These agencies recruit many of our social work graduates. Nationally there is a shortage of qualified social workers which means a greater choice of employment is available to you the student in a seller s market. It would appear that students who receive a good placement experience often apply to that authority for employment. A recent Skills for Care study (2008) has shown a high employment rate in the East Midlands for students who qualify in the East Midlands. The evolving nature of social work and care services means that new posts will be available to our graduates in a wide variety of settings including statutory authorities as well as voluntary and independent agencies and health related settings. Preparation for Employment The Graduate Destination Survey highlights the excellent employment rates from the programme. Part time students are already employed and do not require very much support to move into qualified social work roles. Students will be encouraged to use Personal Development Planning throughout their studies to record their achievements and build their Curriculum Vitae. A representative from the NTU Careers Service comes to speak about the service before the Easter of Year 3. Local agencies have introduced the Newly Qualified Social Worker (NQSW) scheme which allows reduced caseload and enhanced supervision for a year. Representatives will come and talk to the Level 3 students about this. There are also several independent sector Social Care recruitment agencies in Nottingham offering temporary work to students and graduates. They often provide publicity and representatives to talk about opportunities with them. 14 Programme standards and quality 12

13 The Quality Assurance of the programme fully accords with the University s Assurance Standards and Quality Enhancement arrangements. There are three external examiners working with the programme, each covering academic modules and practice assessment and reporting to the Programme s Examination Board. All assignments are marked in accordance with a specifically designed assessment and feedback front sheet that considers the submitted work in respect of the required learning outcomes and provides detailed feedback on your assignment including its structure, the grammar and referencing as well as giving you areas for development and improvement. Samples of assignments across the mark range, including any referrals, are internally moderated by a member of the social work team. These comments and a sample of work across the grade range (together with any referrals) are seen by an external examiner. External examiners submit an annual report to the university on the programme s quality and standards, and the programme reports to the General Social Care Council. Student feedback systems form an important part of the Quality Assurance Framework. Student representatives meet regularly with the programme leader and are members of the Programme Stakeholder Board (Programme Committee). Students can table any issues or concerns at its termly meetings. The national social work benchmark requirements (published with the Quality Assurance Agency). have been incorporated into the programme s learning outcomes. All practice reports for Level 1, 2 and 3 practice learning opportunities are scrutinised by a member of the programme s Practice Assurance Committee. This body is made up of representatives from the university and partner agencies. 15 Assessment regulations This programme is subject to the University s Common Assessment Regulations (located in its Academic Standards and Quality Handbook). Any programme-specific assessment features are described below: The programme follows the NTU common assessment regulations for honours degrees with the following exceptions. No Compensation Rules The Programme has determined that the professional nature of the qualification requires that all students should pass all assessment requirements contained within the Social Work programme in order to be awarded the degree. The Programme has therefore adopted the following rules: 13