Recruitment and Admissions Information for Applicants Postgraduate Diploma / MA Social Work 2014 Intake

Transcription

1 Recruitment and Admissions Information for Applicants Postgraduate Diploma / MA Social Work 2014 Intake Thank you for your enquiry regarding the Postgraduate Diploma/MA in Social Work programme at the University of Chester. Students completing the Postgraduate Diploma/MA in Social Work are eligible to apply for registration as a social worker with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Please find enclosed the following: An application form. One reference form. Basic ability to use IT effectively self-declaration form. An information leaflet about the programme. Please ensure that the application form is fully completed, as any incomplete applications will not be considered. Please download this document and return the signed application form and IT self-declaration to Ann Ashford or Kathryn Smith at: Health and Social Care Admissions Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions University of Chester Parkgate Road Chester CH1 4BJ Tel: hscadmissions@chester.ac.uk Social work is a complex and demanding profession that requires a particular combination of intellectual ability, analytical skills, and personal qualities such as emotional resilience, empathy and the ability and willingness to use role-based authority when needed. Before completing your application form, we advise you to visit The College of Social Work website at and to read through the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) Entry Level Capabilities, as this document along with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Standards of Education and Training Guidance (SETs) 2 for Programme Admissions is used throughout our shortlisting and interviewing processes to ensure that candidates selected meet the entry level requirements. Please note that your personal statement within the application form will be assessed against the PCF to shortlist applicants for interview. 1

2 Required Qualifications For our postgraduate programme, the standard we normally require is a minimum of a first class or 2:1 degree upon entry plus substantial social care work experience (voluntary, as a student, or as paid worker). This reflects the fact that the more intensive postgraduate programme requires students to arrive ready to move rapidly through academic learning and also to enter practice placements sooner than on the undergraduate programme. In addition, all applicants must demonstrate prior to enrolment that they have obtained the following basic skills qualifications: A basic ability to use IT effectively. As a minimum, applicants should be able to use , the internet and word processing tools, and have an understanding of the issues of data storage and protection. Applicants will be required to confirm that they have these skills and they have obtained these skills prior to interview/offer decisionmaking by completing the self-declaration form enclosed. Maths at GCSE grade C or above (or certificated equivalent). English Language at GCSE grade C or above (or certificated equivalent). English Language Requirements: If you did not complete GSCE English Language within the UK, you will be asked to obtain an IELTS score of 7.0 overall with no category scoring below 6.5. It is important to note that certificates verifying these qualifications are required prior to enrolment on the Social Work programme. If an applicant does not hold these qualifications/certificates at the time of interview, any subsequent offer of a place will be conditional upon obtaining these qualifications/certificates prior to the start of the programme. If you have not yet obtained your degree, please indicate the award date pending on the form and provide your predicted degree classification. Personal Statement Your personal statement is a very important part of the application form and is used as the first stage of our recruitment and selection process to shortlist applicants for interview. It is important to highlight that the submission of an application form does not automatically result in you being shortlisted for an interview. Your personal statement should reflect and clearly state any relevant personal or working (paid or voluntary) experience that you have had in the area of social care, as well as your motivation and commitment to social work. You are advised to consult the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) Entry Level Capabilities at The College of Social Work website when completing your application form. The capabilities are used throughout our shortlisting for interview selection to ensure that candidates selected meet the entry level requirements. You will also need to demonstrate that you have undertaken research into the roles, values and functions of social work and be able to clearly demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of these. You will receive an to confirm when your application has been received, followed by an (usually within two weeks) indicating whether your application was successful or unsuccessful with regards to being shortlisted for interview. If your application was unsuccessful you will be provided with feedback and guidance for your future reference. All applicants successfully shortlisted for interview will be invited by letter to attend the University for interview. This will comprise an individual interview, a group activity, and completion of a written exercise. If you are successful at the end of this process, you will then be made an offer or conditional offer of a place on the programme. 2

3 Please ensure that your completed reference is sent in to Health and Social Care Admissions as soon as possible after submitting the application, and certainly by the deadline given. This should preferably be a reference from your employer if you are working (paid or voluntary) in the Social Care sector. The deadline for all outstanding application information and references is 30th April Incomplete applications or references received after the deadline will not be considered. Interview Day Interviews will take place between November and April depending on when we receive your application. Interview days are scheduled from 9.30am, and you should be prepared to stay until 4pm. An interview consists of a written exercise (in the morning); a group work task (in the morning) and an individual interview (in the afternoon). All interviews will take place at the Warrington Campus and will involve the input of a service user, carer or social work practitioner, as well as an academic member of staff. The Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) Entry Level Capabilities are also used throughout our interviewing processes to ensure that candidates selected meet the entry level requirements. Please note that written notes/prompt cards etc. are not permitted during the interview exercises. You will be required to bring with you to interview a photocopy of your relevant qualifications, as well as the originals and some form of identification. This will be confirmed in your interview invitation pack. Successful applicants offered a place on the programme will be required to have satisfactorily completed a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at enhancement level, and a satisfactory health requirement check prior to enrolment on the course. The costs for DBS checks to be undertaken are paid for by applicants. The University Occupational Health service covers health screening and any subsequent immunisations. NB: The University of Chester has in place fair and robust processes for dealing with the evaluation of sensitive information on DBS and health disclosures, and processes for making decisions regarding suitability with reference to and in line with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Guidance on Conduct and Ethics for students, and Guidance on Health and Character. It is important to highlight here that having previous convictions or offending history is not an automatic bar to entering social work, and that every applicant is considered on an individual basis, but that equally no offence is regarded as spent for the purposes of our assessment process. Our programme aims to minimise as far as possible the likelihood of students being selected who cannot then be found placements for reasons related to their personal suitability, as highlighted in the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) requirements. Similarly, as far as possible, our programme aims to minimise the risk of taking students who will then not obtain registration with the HCPC upon completion of their programme. The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Standards of Education and Training (SETs) Guidance and Health and Character Guidance state that programme providers should assess suitability to enter the programme and that the HCPC will carry out an assessment of suitability to join the register upon graduation. 3

4 General Information about the Postgraduate Diploma / MA Social Work programme at the University of Chester, Warrington Campus Curriculum Year 1 Readiness for Direct Practice Applied Sociology & Social Policy Social Work Law and Ethics Human Growth and Development Across the Life Course Placement 1: 70 Days assessed via a portfolio Year 2 Social Work Practice with Children and Families Social Work Practice with Adults Research Placement 2: 100 days assessed via a portfolio Placements 170 days in total, which are undertaken on a full-time, five-days-per-week basis Incorporate both the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and The College of Social Work Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) requirements Draw on our excellent relationships with private, voluntary and statutory agencies across the North West and Warrington Campus s surrounding area Assessed against PCF required levels, via portfolio (and other pieces of work) Please note: You may need to travel up to one hour to and from the placement. Being a car driver and having access to your own car is a requirement for the majority of our placement agencies. However, in exceptional circumstances, students will be able to discuss travel arrangements with the Placement Co-ordinator to ascertain whether it is possible to make reasonable adjustments in terms of the students resources for transport and their home/placement locations. 4

5 Funding The Department of Health have confirmed that they will fund 18 out of the 30 places provided for the MA social work programme. More information about how bursaries will be allocated will be provided at the Interview Days. General information about bursaries can be found on: Telephone: , Fax: University of Chester Postgraduate Fees The fees are announced annually, so these are still awaited for students enrolling in (However, fees were set at 3,900 per annum for students enrolling in 2014.) Student Support We provide an integrated personal academic tutorial system. Additional support is provided by the module leaders and your practice educators when you are out in your practice placement. The University of Chester s Warrington Campus boasts a Childcare Nursery with provision for staff and students children. The University of Chester is also renowned for the access for individuals with a disability and has clearly marked free parking areas for disabled students, along with a very high quality of Student Support Services and Guidance, Subject Librarians and Learning Resources. There is also excellent provision for general learning support for students with particular learning needs. Postgraduate Social Work education at the University of Chester is based within the Department of Social Work, located on the Warrington Campus. Our MA degree and Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work were established in Our programme is enhanced by the active involvement of service users, stakeholders and social work practitioners in the delivery of the programme to ensure teaching is relevant and is at the cutting edge of today s social work agenda. The programme will provide you with the opportunity to consider critically the roles, knowledge and values of social work, in accordance with the principles of antidiscriminatory practice. We have developed a reputable record of educating and preparing students for fully qualified, reflective, research-minded social work practice. Graduates from our programme are able to specialise in any particular social work practice area, for example working with older people, children and families, young offenders, or people with mental health problems, physical disabilities or learning difficulties. The Department of Social Work has been fluctuating between 8th and 10th position in the University league tables for the UK, as published in The Guardian, Independent and Times Higher Education based upon the BA (Hons) Social Work student survey results. We also have the 2nd highest number of graduates securing employment within 6 months of leaving the programme (with MA/Postgraduate Diploma graduates being preferred by the local authorities). Postgraduate Diploma / MA in Social Work Overview Full-time: 2 years (Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work). Students completing the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work are eligible to apply for registration as a social worker with the HCPC. 5

6 Students decide whether to continue past Postgraduate Diploma and complete a 15,000-word research dissertation for the full MA. All academic sessions are held at the Warrington Campus. Academic modules introduce the range of theoretical perspectives to increase our students understanding of, and the significance of: human growth and development across the life course; social divisions for understanding diversity in society; the variety of social work interventions to appreciate the critical relationship between social work theory and practice; the ethical, legal, policy and organisational frameworks for social work practice; the broader context of social work in locating how its legal, policy and organisational frameworks shape practice; theory, policy and practice contexts for social work with children and families and community care practice with adults across a wide range of settings and organisational contexts; and the relevance of undertaking research for social workers and their organisations. 70 days of assessed practice learning in Year 1, and 100 days in Year 2, aim to provide contrasting experiences drawn from a wide range of statutory, voluntary and independent agencies. It is important to note that practice placement days are all on a full-time basis (e.g. 9am 5pm, Monday Friday) and take place within consecutive weeks. A variety of teaching methods are used throughout the programme, e.g. lectures, group work, role plays, self-directed private study, blended e-learning activities, Action Learning Sets and tutorials. A wide range of assessment methods are also used e.g. essays, presentations, practice-based case studies, an open book law exam, and direct observations of practice. We aim to recruit approximately 30 students each year. Having smaller class sizes enables us to offer higher levels of support and provides opportunities to develop some inter-professional learning. Teaching is likely to be four days per week in the first term of Year 1, and three days per week in the first term of Year 2. The University of Chester Social Work staff team are all committed to providing high quality learning experiences for students. Evaluation of our Recruitment and Selection Processes The Postgraduate Diploma / MA programme in Social Work Admission Tutor and Team routinely evaluate our recruitment and selection processes. We would welcome any feedback you are willing to provide, whether positive or constructive, as we strive to promote and maintain good practice. Thank you once again for your enquiry regarding study on the Postgraduate Diploma / MA in Social Work at the University of Chester, and we hope that this Application Pack has been both informative and accessible for you. We look forward to receiving your application form. Best wishes Julie Bywater Postgraduate Diploma / MA Programme Leader and Admissions Tutor Please note if you have any queries regarding the application please contact the Admissions department in the first instance. 6

7 Postgraduate Diploma / MA Social Work Programme Basic Ability to use IT Effectively Self-Declaration Form Please state your current IT competence by selecting the most applicable statement below: I hold an IT qualification at Level 2 or above: YES / NO (please delete as appropriate) (Please note that qualifications in IT are not required prior to entry but, given the nature of the work involved in social work education and practice, any areas in which you are not confident at this stage may be highlighted as recommended areas for further learning prior to commencing the course and certainly prior to your first placement.) I do not hold an IT qualification, but regard myself as competent and confident in using the following tools, or recognise that I require further support with this, as detailed below: Word processing: Competent / Not yet competent (please delete as appropriate) s: Competent / Not yet competent (please delete as appropriate) Use of the internet (searching etc.): Competent / Not yet competent (please delete as appropriate) Use of spreadsheets: Competent / Not yet competent (please delete as appropriate) Use of databases: Competent / Not yet competent (please delete as appropriate) Name: Date: 7

8 OFFICE USE ONLY Student Number:... R&A:... SITS:... Application for Admission to Postgraduate Health and Social Care Programmes Please read the prospectus carefully and complete the form as fully as possible in typescript or legible handwriting. Note: Applications for PGCE programmes or MPhil/PhD (research) degrees should not be made on this form. PROPOSED PROGRAMME OF STUDY: (Please provide FULL programme title) Proposed starting date: Qualification applied for:... (e.g. MA/MSc/MEd/PG Certificate/Advanced Diploma/Advanced Certificate) Method of Study: Full time Part time PERSONAL DETAILS Surname: Title: Previous name (if applicable): Forenames: Home Address: Postcode: Telephone Number: Mobile Phone Number: Contact Address (if different) Postcode: Telephone Number: Mobile Phone Number: Employer Address: Postcode: Telephone Number: Date of Birth: Nationality: 8

9 Are you a serving teacher? Please state your DfE number: Please state your NMC PIN number (if applicable): Have you studied, or are you currently studying, at this institution? If so, please provide: Your registration number (if known):. Year of study: Programme/course title:.. EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS Please forward original certificates if/when available. University or Institution Dates Subject studied Degree or From To Diploma Result/grade gained or expected Date gained or expected Any other relevant qualifications: (including institution(s) attended and date(s) of awards) ENGLISH LANGUAGE If English is not your first language, please state your language of instruction: Give the name and results of any English Language test taken (IELTS, TOEFL, GCSE, TEEP, Cambridge Candidates etc.). Please send copies of certificates. 9

10 SPECIFIC NEEDS If you have any disability (physical or other) or medical condition that might necessitate special requirements or facilities, please give brief details: PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Please state your professional experience in chronological order: (Please continue on a separate sheet if necessary.) Dates Organisation Post(s) Held FINANCE Please give details of your source of funding (the awarding body and the duration of the award). If you do not expect to receive a grant, please state how you intend to finance yourself for the duration of the programme, e.g. self-finance, career development loan, sponsor etc. 10

11 REFERENCES Please provide the names and addresses of two referees (one of whom should be able to comment on your academic ability). Please forward the enclosed reference forms to each referee for completion and return to Health and Social Care Admissions, University of Chester, Parkgate Road, Chester CH1 4BJ. Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure the references are returned to the College, as this will affect the progress of your application Phone No:... Phone No: Relationship to applicant: Relationship to applicant: Office use only: Reference received: [ ] Office use only: Reference received: [ ] PERSONAL STATEMENT Please supply further information (on a separate sheet if necessary) in support of your application, including your reasons for applying for the programme, your major academic interests and career ambitions. Applicants are invited to enclose a CV. Where did you hear about postgraduate study at the University of Chester? The University is required to obtain information on the educational background of students and their parents to report to government agencies. The information is also used for internal University statistics and quality measures. Please complete the following to the best of your knowledge and recollection. Have you ever undertaken a Higher Education course before in the UK (i.e. above A Level or equivalent)? YES / NO If yes, did you attend this course for 6 months or more? YES / NO Do any of your parents (natural parents, adoptive parents, step-parents or guardians who have brought you up) have any higher education qualifications, such as a degree, diploma or certificate of higher education? Yes No Don t Know Refused DECLARATION: I understand that I am responsible for payment of all tuition fees. I agree to comply with the statutes, ordinances, bye-laws, regulations, rules and conditions of the University of Chester for the time being in force, including Health, Safety and Disciplinary Regulations. I agree that all ideas, materials or work produced by me and submitted as part of the requirements of my programme of study and all intellectual property rights therein will become the absolute property of the University of Chester, unless specifically agreed to the contrary. 11

12 Data Protection Act 1998 I consent to the University of Chester processing personal data contained in this form, or other data which may be obtained from me or others, including details of academic performance, learning support needs, disciplinary matters, destinations and comments on quality, closed circuit TV and video recording on university premises and holding my photograph which is used on the student ID card for any purpose connected with my studies, my health and safety, implementation of the Rules, to provide data that the University is required to hold or supply to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) or for any other legitimate reason. I consent to the disclosure of such information for academic administration purposes, in response to requests for references relating to continuing education, training or employment, for implementation of the Rules or in relation to council tax matters. I understand that HESA pass data to organisations that need it to carry out their statutory functions connected with funding higher education. I am aware that I may request a copy of information held about me on request and on payment of the appropriate fee and that further information regarding HESA can be found on Portal. Signature:. Date: ONCE COMPLETED, THIS FORM SHOULD BE RETURNED TO ANN ASHFORD, HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE ADMISSIONS, UNIVERSITY OF CHESTER, PARKGATE ROAD, CHESTER CH1 4BJ TEL: FAX: a.ashford@chester.ac.uk WEB: APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT APPROPRIATE REFERENCES.. FOR OFFICE USE ONLY: Academic Decision: Reject [ ] Accept [ ] Conditions of offer: Signed: Date: Qualifications confirmed by: [ ] Certificate produced by student [ ] Other Signed:.. Date: 12

13 Reference for an Applicant to Postgraduate Health and Social Care Programmes at the University of Chester Section A (to be completed by the candidate) Name (in full): Address:.... Programme for which application is being made:... PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO YOUR REFEREE. Section B (to be completed by the referee) The person named above is applying for admission to this university and has named you as a referee. Please send your reply as soon as possible to the University address below. Thank you for your co-operation. Name:. Position/Occupation:. Address:... Telephone (please include full code):. Address: How long have you known the candidate?... In what capacity?.. Signature:. Date:.. Please complete the Report section overleaf. Comment on the suitability of the candidate for admission to the programme/course for which application has been made. Please include comments on the applicant s abilities and commitment to the course of study chosen. Please also include specific grades where available for subsections of the course. Please note that because of recent legislation an applicant may ask for a copy of this reference or any other personal information that we have about them. When completed, please return the form to: Ann Ashford Postgraduate Health and Social Care Admissions University of Chester Parkgate Road Chester CH1 4BJ Tel:

14 REPORT 14