BA (Hons) Social Work

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1 VALIDATION ABOUT THE COURSE This is a three-year fulltime, or four-year part time undergraduate course. The BA (Hons) in Social Work is recognised as a professional qualification in Social Work by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), endorsed by the College of Social Work (TCSW) and validated by the Open University. It consists of academic study and practice learning in a social work agency, the latter in two periods, 70 and 100 days, in a variety of social work settings. Ruskin has a sound tradition of providing social work education and training for mature, non-traditional students. It operates in partnership with other local social work programmes and local authority partners, in particular Oxfordshire County Council, principally via our Practice Learning Centre. Support for students is provided throughout the programme, including supervision while on placement. National Student Survey Our small class sizes mean our results often do not register officially on the National Student Survey. However, in 2011, when compared with the 88 other institutions that offer a degree in Social Work, Ruskin was extremely pleased to be placed 1st nationally for Teaching on the Programme, with 99% of students agreeing it was good or very good. CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS AND SUITABILITY All applicants for the Social Work course are asked to disclose any previous criminal convictions (including cautions, warnings and reprimands) however long ago they may have occurred and whether as a juvenile or an adult. In addition, students will be required to undergo an enhanced criminal records check and will need to receive clearance before undertaking social work placements. Where a student has a previous conviction, caution, warning or reprimand this may not be an automatic bar to entry on the programme, but it will be given full consideration and may be subject to a risk assessment. Students selected for this programme will be subject to the BA Social Work Suitability Procedure. Although it is not a requirement for students to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), the registering body for social work, they are expected to abide by the Guidance on Conduct and Ethics for Students. Once the degree has been successfully completed, students can apply to be registered with the HCPC. Registration is needed to work as a Social Worker, as this is a protected title. The course is validated by The Open University. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS Applicants for the should: demonstrate a commitment to pursuing a career in social work or possess the appropriate personal qualities and aptitude to be a social worker have work, voluntary, trade union or personal experience relevant to social work demonstrate clearly a motivation to return to study and the potential for handling the academic and intellectual demands of the programme and for meeting the required academic standard by the end of the programme. Evidence of undertaking return to study programmes is one way of demonstrating this. One way to achieve this is by undertaking an Access to Higher Education Diploma in Social Science, available at Ruskin College. have GCSE Grade C or above in both Maths and English on application have an IELTS score of Level 6.5 for non- UK students COURSE AND APPLICATION DATES This course starts in September. Applications close 15th August. Please note: This course fills its places quickly so early application is advised. CAREERS We expect the majority of our graduates to gain social work positions relatively soon after completing the programme. Out of the cohort who graduated in 2013, 83% had found jobs by February Students often find that employment opportunities arise out of their final placement. All of the above students were successful in finding jobs local to their home area. Ruskin College 2015 page 1

2 WHAT WILL I STUDY ON THIS COURSE? Ruskin has traditionally encouraged prospective social workers to consider issues of social justice and equality and the implications of these for social work practice. The programme has also had a strong commitment to community development approaches to social work and to voluntary organisations that provide social work services. Embedded in our social work programmes is a strong commitment to social justice and the empowerment of individuals and communities and the contribution that social work can make to this through anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice, listening to and respecting the voices of the users of social work services and active implementation of the values of social work. We are committed to ensuring that social workers who successfully complete Ruskin programmes are reflective practitioners who will deliver high quality, effective services in a professional and compassionate manner. MODULES STUDIED Year 1 The Principles and Practice of Social Work An appreciation of the history and current social, economic, organisational and political context of the practice of social work within the UK An understanding of the values of social work and what they mean for social work practice The ability to recognise discrimination in social work and other welfare services and to practice in an anti-discriminatory way A critically evaluative approach to a range of social work theories, methods and models of practice Knowledge of, and an opportunity to practice, key social work skills The preparation necessary for Assessed Practice Social Policy This module aims to provide students with a critical appreciation of Current demographic and social policy trends The social, political and economic context of the lives of social work service users Factors and processes leading to marginalisation, discrimination and social exclusion including poverty and race and related social policies How social policy is developed and framed Social policies in relation to housing, health, education, criminal justice and income support STAFF Bec Buss Des McDermott Cathy Lloyd Teresa Munby Dr Bridget Ng andu Olwen Summerscales Dave Wysling HOW TO APPLY FOR THIS COURSE You can apply for courses online via the Ruskin College website or you can download a pdf of our application form. Send printed application forms to: Academic Registrar, Ruskin College, Ruskin Hall, Dunstan Road, Old Headington, Oxford, OX3 9BZ You can request a hard copy of the application form to be sent to you by contacting Reception at Ruskin Hall on or enquiries@ruskin. ac.uk When filling in the application form please ensure that you complete the personal statement section in full and ensure that you include the contact details of two references. Incomplete applications will be returned. You may also apply for this course through UCAS ( The UCAS course code is L500. FUNDING YOUR STUDIES Funding is available from Student Finance England if you live in England (www. gov.uk/studentfinance, ). If you live in other parts of the UK please contact Student Finance Wales, Student Finance Northern Ireland or the Student Award Agency for Scotland. International students will be responsible for the payment of their own tuition fees. Further information on funding can be found in our fees and funding support sections on the website: FOR MORE INFORMATION Contact Chrissy on or [email protected] Ruskin College 2015 page 2

3 The implications of social policies for social work practice Psychology This module aims to provide students with a critical appreciation of A range of psychological theories and perspectives The relevance of psychological perspectives to the understanding of individual and social development, behaviour and functioning Psychological perspectives concerning groups, organisations, change and loss Mental well being and ill health Psychological perspectives concerning discrimination and oppression The implications of psychological perspectives and social work Sociology This module aims to provide students with a critical appreciation of: Major traditions of sociological thought Sociological themes and concepts relevant to social work and social care Sociological theories concerning the individual, the family, groups and organisations Sociological theories of power, control, social exclusion, social class, social stratification and poverty Law and Welfare Rights for Social Workers This module aims to provide students with a critical understanding of The English legal system (including EU law) and access to justice The Welfare Benefits and Tax Credit system The legal context of social work practice The legal basis for social work intervention The legal basis for anti-discriminatory practice Legal skills necessary to understand law and apply legal knowledge Substantive areas of law including: Children, Mental Health, Community Care, Criminal, Employment, Human Rights, Antidiscrimination legislation, Local Authority complaints procedures and clients rights to information and Data Protection Further areas of law which the social work practitioner may encounter including: domestic violence, asylum, homelessness and powers and duties of public bodies, employment Ruskin College 2015 page 3

4 Year 2 Research An understanding of a range of research methodologies Knowledge of research methods Guidance on sources of research material and other social work knowledge, both UK and international An appreciation of current debates regarding evidence based practice A critically evaluative approach to the production of knowledge in social work The Principles and Practice of Social Work An appreciation of the history and current social, economic, organisational and political context of the practice of social work within the UK An understanding of the values of social work and what they mean for social work practice The ability to recognise discrimination in social work and other welfare services and to practice in an anti-discriminatory way A critically evaluative approach to a range of social work theories, methods and models of practice Knowledge of, and an opportunity to practice, key social work skills The preparation necessary for Assessed Practice Practice Learning One This module aims to provide students with the opportunity to: Link their learning in college, particularly on the Principles and Practice of Social Work module (parts A, B, C and E), to social work practice Consider the integration in practice of the values of social work Make links between theory and practice Consider different approaches to social work practice Appreciate the social, legal and economic context of the practice learning opportunity Evaluate their future practice development needs Learning Outcomes Through the teaching and assessment of this module the students should be able to demonstrate: Their competence in Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19 of the National Occupational Standards in Social Work at grade 3 The integration of the Code of Practice for Social Care Workers Ruskin College 2015 page 4

5 (GSCC, 2002), the Statement of Expectations from those who use services, and carers (TOPSS, 2002) and the integration of Values and Ethics (TOPSS, 2002) The ability to consider practice in relation to theory An understanding of different approaches to social work An awareness of the social, economic and legal context of the practice learning opportunity An appreciation of their future learning needs Year 3 Practice Learning Two This module aims to provide students with the opportunity to: Link their learning in college, particularly on the Principles and Practice of Social Work module (D, E), to social work practice Build on the first period of practice learning Critically consider the integration in practice of the values of social work Reflectively integrate theory and social work practice Analyse and make judgements on different approaches to social work practice Critically evaluate the social, legal and economic context of the practice learning opportunity Evaluate their future practice development needs Through the teaching and assessment of this module the students should be able to demonstrate: Competence in all the Units of the National Occupational Standards in Social Work at grade 4 (the level of a social worker entering employment) Integration of the Code of Practice for Social Care Workers (GSCC, 2002), the Statement of Expectations from those who use services, and carers (TOPSS, 2002) and the integration of Values and Ethics (TOPSS, 2002). The ability to analyse and make judgements on complex social work situations and practice in complex situations The use of theory and research to inform their practice Critical awareness of the social, economic and legal context of the practice learning opportunity Self awareness of their future learning needs and ways of meeting them The Principles and Practice of Social Work An appreciation of the history and current social, economic, organisational and political context of the practice of social work within the UK An understanding of the values of social work and what they mean for social work practice Ruskin College 2015 page 5

6 The ability to recognise discrimination in social work and other welfare services and to practice in an anti-discriminatory way A critically evaluative approach to a range of social work theories, methods and models of practice Knowledge of, and an opportunity to practice, key social work skills The preparation necessary for Assessed Practice HOW WILL I LEARN AND BE TAUGHT ON THIS COURSE? The Social Work course deploys a range of teaching and learning methods including formal input, group work, case studies, experiential learning (role play, simulation), observation placement, student presentations and tutorials (usually in small groups of up to four students). How are assessments carried out? Assessment is through essays, assignments, portfolios of practice learning and, in the final year, a dissertation. There are no exams. Ruskin College 2015 page 6