MA Social Work The University of Bradford has a long tradition of social work education and delivers BA, MA, and several post-qualifying courses in social work. Bradford s social work programmes are regarded as excellent in both practice learning and supporting students. The MA is both an academic and professional qualification, enabling students to achieve both a Masters degree and the professional qualification in Social Work. The course is designed to produce high quality, reflective Social Work practitioners, who are equipped for the challenges of contemporary social work practice. The MA in Social Work is taught in a faculty with a range of experience in social work practice, teaching and research. We have a unique feature at Bradford, whereby we have a dedicated placement team that support students on practice, and we have recently increased our ranking in the Guardian course league tables. Does successful completion of the course result in a social work qualification recognised by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)? Yes, students who successfully complete the MA in Social Work will have met the standards set out by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and will be eligible to apply to the HCPC for registration as a social worker. However, successful completion of our programme does not result in automatic registration with the HCPC. Social work graduates must apply and meet the criteria specified by the HCPC in order to register and practise as a qualified social worker in England. When does it start? The next intake is September 2016. Closing date for applications is the 31 st May 2016 if you want to be considered for bursary nomination. We will still continue to accept applications after 31 May 2016 but there will be no guarantee that you will be considered for bursary nomination. How long is the course? Two years (full-time) What are the fees? Our fees for Home and EU students were 4,052 per year for 2015/16. This meant that for all students receiving an NHSBSA bursary, their fees were paid in full by the NHSBSA. (For 2015/2016 fees for International (non-eu) students were 13,250) How are bursaries allocated? All successful applicants who think that they will meet the requirements set by the NHSBSA (see http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/students/835.aspx) are advised to apply for the social work bursary. In June 2016, the university will nominate successful applicants to the NHSBSA in rank order according to scores achieved during the selection process. Scores will be generated from an individual interview and written exercise and group discussion. Further information regarding bursaries should be sought from the NHSBSA, directly at: Web: http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/students/841.aspx Tel: 0300 330 1342 or 0191 279 0569
Social Work Bursaries Bridge House 152 Pilgrim Street Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 6SN What are the admissions requirements? We require successful applicants to: Possess an undergraduate honours degree normally at 2:1 or higher in any discipline. We will also consider applicants who hold a Masters level qualification. Applicants must demonstrate that they have relevant work experience equivalent to a minimum of 6 months full-time work (approx. 910 hours) ideally at the point of application. This may be paid or voluntary work and could have been undertaken on a full-time or part-time basis. Applicants are usually expected to have had a substantial part of such experience during the past 2 years, prior to application and to have had experience which includes working with vulnerable groups in Britain. Applicants who have limited experience or who have had little or no relevant experience during the past 2 years should consider seeking relevant employment or volunteering via organisations, such as their local Council for Voluntary Services, local Children s or Adult Services Departments or local voluntary sector agencies. (Please see the Work experience document and arrange to have some contact with a social worker prior to the start of the degree). Have Maths and English GCSE (at grade C or above) or equivalent qualifications e.g. Key Skills Level 2 in Application of Number / Communication or Adult Numeracy / Literacy at level 2. If they are unsure whether their qualification is equivalent, applicants need to contact our Course Enquiries Team on 01274 233081 or email course-enquiries@bradford.ac.uk. If you are undertaking IELTS we require an overall band score of 7.0 with no subtest less than 5.5 for overseas students, or 5.0 for Home/EU students Demonstrate that, by the time they start the course, they will have acquired current and relevant underpinning knowledge from psychology, sociology and social policy, at a level, which will allow them to complete the MA (Social Work). Applicants who have not acquired such knowledge in completing their first degrees or who obtained their degrees several years ago should consider what further study and/or reading is required as well as study skills revision to prepare them for this level of study. They may need to consider enrolment on foundation level courses at their local university or distance learning packages, such as the Open University s Introducing the social sciences module DD102. Have Information, Communication Technology (ICT) skills which are sufficient to allow them to begin both study and practice and that they will be able to develop these skills during their progress through the course. (Applicants without such relevant skills will need to make sure they have plans in place to acquire them prior to starting social work training). Complete a health and previous professional study disclosure form. Complete a declaration form regarding matters that include criminal convictions, cautions and reprimands and any disciplinary action by employers, in order to satisfy the programme that they are suitable to work with vulnerable children and adults. All information obtained from the admissions process is used to assess a candidate s potential to successfully complete the social work programme and to eventually practice as a qualified worker in accordance with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) regulatory standards for Social Work and the College of Social Work's (TCSW) Professional Capabilities Framework.
If you are unclear about any of the above please contact the MA Social Work Admissions Tutor, Elaben Mistry-Jackson (e.mistry@bradford.ac.uk) Is there a placement element to the course? Yes. Students will need to pass two assessed practice placements in contrasting settings, one of which must include statutory tasks. The first will run for 70 days in year one and the second for 100 days in year two. Students need to be prepared to travel to practice placements within a 30 mile radius of the University of Bradford and many placement providers will expect students to possess a full UK driving licence. Is the course full-time? Yes. When not on placement, students will usually be required to attend teaching at the university for at least 2 days per week and, during some weeks will need to attend supplementary classes, tutorials, workshops and conferences on other days. Students will also need to undertake a considerable amount of private study in addition to attending lectures, if they are to successfully complete the course. Students will, therefore, need to manage their time and other commitments to facilitate this, throughout the whole two years. Both placements are full-time (usually 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday), while some require that students participate in staff rotas which involve attendance at weekends and overnight on rare occasions. What is the content of the course? The course has been designed to ensure that students obtain the appropriate skills and knowledge to pass the professional social work award at Masters Level. The current programme is structured as follows : Year One Social Work Theories and Methods Ethics, Professionalism and Reflective Practice Interviewing and Communication Skills Readiness for Practice Learning Opportunities (30 days) Law for Social Work Social Work with Children and Families Social Work with Adults Practice Placement Learning I (plus 70-day placement May -August) Year Two Research Methods for Social Work Inter-Professional Working Practice Placement Learning II (plus 100-day placement January-July) What values and principles underpin this course? We are committed to social work based in social justice and in critical reflection and analysis (please see the attached Manifesto for Social Work at the University of Bradford.) Adult Learners The University welcomes applications from adult learners and is able to provide information,
advice and guidance to those wishing to return to education. Further information is available at: http://www.bradford.ac.uk/undergraduate/adult-learners/ Our Adult Learner Adviser is Caroline Priestley and she works closely with the Division of Social Work and Social Care. Caroline can advise you on your application. If you are unsure whether we would consider your application for this degree, she is happy for you to contact her with details of your qualifications and experience. Caroline can also offer support with interview skills. She can be contacted by email at c.priestley4@bradford.ac.uk or by phone on 01274 235113 Teaching and Assessment Methods We recognise that students all learn in different ways; our teaching and assessment methods reflect this. Teaching will be delivered through lectures, seminars and tutorials. Each student is allocated a personal academic tutor who will support you in your studies. Assessment methods include academic essays, group presentations, poster presentations and portfolios. In addition to your academic studies, the Division of Social Work and Social Care has a strong history of supporting our students to develop their employability skills. We are also proud to announce we have an established Social Work book club and Social Work society for all students to be involved with. What is the content of the course? The course has been designed to ensure that students obtain the appropriate skills and knowledge to pass the professional social work award at post graduate level. The MA Social Work has been developed in close collaboration with partner social work agencies to ensure you develop the right skills and knowledge to pass the professional social work award at post graduate level. A key focus is synthesizing theory and practice. You will study Interviewing and communication skills, Law, Social work theories and methods, Research and Interprofessional skills. You will explore values and ethics in social work. Throughout the course you will develop your practice skills in Practice Learning modules, which help you to link what you are learning out on placement with social work theory. You will undertake modules that explore social work intervention within children, families and adults work. You will explore issues around confidentiality and information sharing. Social Workers are encouraged to develop skills in direct work and you will be introduced to a range of practice skills and learn hands-on techniques to work with individuals, families and groups including the use of role play, visual resources and practical skills. Throughout the programme, you will be encouraged to develop into a professionally reflective practitioner. Preparation for practice opportunities We offer an exciting programme of readiness to practice skills development sessions on top of your academic modules and practice placements. The main purpose is to prepare students for their first placement by providing structured opportunities to practice key generic skills and to increase their understanding of the social work role, without the immediate pressure of assessment, and without the need to be in a social worker role with service users and carers. We also provide opportunities later in the course to develop more advanced skills. How and when should I apply? This can be by direct online application to the University of Bradford or through UCAS. To apply online, please see http://www.brad.ac.uk/postgraduate/courses/how-to-apply/ To apply through UCAS please see http://www.ucas.com/apply
NB. In recent years the number of applications for places on the MA Social Work has greatly outnumbered the number of places available. Selection interviews for the course starting in September 2016 will begin in November 2015. To guarantee consideration for interview, applications need to be made by 15 January 2016. Where appropriate, applicants are advised to include information about any relevant training or paid or voluntary work planned for the future, in their personal statements. What sort of students are we hoping to recruit? Social work is a challenging profession. We want to recruit enthusiastic, politically-minded individuals who are actively committed to social work values as outlined in our manifesto (below). We are also looking to recruit students who: Have a good understanding of the tasks undertaken by social workers and the skills and knowledge they need Are open to learning and development Have the potential to integrate theory with practice Are able to communicate and engage with people Have an ability to analyse their experience Have potential to develop into a reflective practitioner Are open to exploring their own values Have potential to develop an active commitment to social work values Have some capacity to cope with stressful situations and understand the value of seeking support Have potential to respond appropriately to distressing situations Preparing for Interview When you are preparing for interview it will be helpful if you do some research around relevant policy/debates/relevant news. You can keep up-to-date with these by: Reading quality newspapers Following appropriate organisations/individuals on Twitter Looking at information on the websites below: o http://www.hpc-uk.org/ (The Health and Care Professions Council) o http://www.collegeofsocialwork.org/ (The College of Social Work) o http://www.cypnow.co.uk/ (Children and Young People Now) o http://www.communitycare.co.uk/home/ (Community Care) o http://www.bradford.ac.uk/ssis/social-work/ (University of Bradford) Disability Service If you have additional support needs, you can contact the Disability Service for information about how we can support your studies. All new students at the University of Bradford are offered the chance to undergo a screening exercise. This is offered at the beginning of semester one. Contact details: http://www.bradford.ac.uk/disability/ Telephone: 01274 233739 Email: disabilities@bradford.ac.uk Professional Regulation Social work is a profession regulated in England, since 1 August 2012, by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). As a social work student you will be expected to adhere
fully to the HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics (see http://www.hcpcuk.org.uk/aboutregistration/standards/standardsofconductperformanceandethics/ and to be committed to working towards the HCPC Standards of Proficiency for Social Workers in England (see http://www.hpc-uk.org/publications/standards/index.asp?id=569. The course has HCPC approval and endorsement by The College of Social Work (TCSW). Successful completion of our programme does not result in automatic registration with the HCPC. The responsibility will lie with the student to apply to the HCPC for registration in order to practise as a qualified social worker in England. For more information please visit: http://www.hpc-uk.org/aboutregistration/regulators/socialwork/ Disclosure and Barring Scheme All students will need to consent to and co-operate with enhanced DBS checks. Students are responsible for paying the relevant fees. Applicants who make a disclosure will also be processed in accordance with The University of Bradford Criminal Convictions Policy and University of Bradford Social Work and Social Care Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS) Panel and Procedures. Students who have lived outside the United Kingdom All students will be required to provide information and relevant documentation, in lieu of DBS checks, for all periods they have lived outside the UK. Again, students are responsible for paying any fees required by the agencies involved. For further information please see http://www.brad.ac.uk/postgraduate/social-work/ or contact course-enquiries@bradford.ac.uk All prospective entrants Work experience and contact with a social worker prior to the start of the degree It is a course requirement that all potential Social Work students obtain relevant work experience and ideally to try and have the opportunity to spend some time with, or speak to, a qualified social worker prior to the start of your degree. We recognise that many students will come to the course with considerable relevant work experience and contact with qualified social workers. However we are also aware that some students may not have a great deal of paid or voluntary work experience, nor had the opportunity to talk with a qualified worker. The task of finding relevant work will obviously be dependent upon your knowledge of local resources. Simply finding out about your local voluntary/ statutory resources is very important in itself, and will undoubtedly help you with your future studies.
Manifesto for Social Work at the University of Bradford We believe that social work must be committed: To the provision of services which bring positive change in the lives of individuals and communities, and especially those facing trauma, disadvantage and oppression. To the ongoing development and active promotion of policies and practice which provide positive benefits for vulnerable people. To working alongside others and in partnership with vulnerable people to create a more socially just society which endeavors to meet the needs of all communities and groups, and To working alongside others and in partnership with vulnerable people to challenge agencies and institutions whose policies and practices have negative consequences for vulnerable people. As social work educators, we will, therefore, in partnership with practitioners and agencies providing practice placements, encourage students to develop: Practice which is informed by: Critical reflection and analysis. Relevant underpinning knowledge and research. Service users needs and views. Social work values and ethics. The practice experiences of colleagues and partners in social work and other agencies in both the statutory and voluntary sectors. Recognition that the problems faced by most service users are aggravated by, or have their origins in, the inequitable nature of social structures. Critical reflection on and analysis of: Their practice and its outcomes for service users. Their values and ethics and the consequences of these for service users. Others practice and its outcomes for service users. The policies of central and local government and the consequences of these for service users. The policies of social work agencies and other organizations, and the consequences of these for service users. Knowledge and skills which will result in interventions which are : Effective in improving the lives of service users. Relevant to the identified needs of service users. Acceptable to and welcomed by service users. Respectful of service users. Culturally competent. Equitable. Effective in challenging unacceptable practice, policies and situations