Course Presentation: Social Work

Welcome to Social Work Education at Brunel University

Social work at Brunel Highest ranked social work department in the region,

and in upper quartile of departments in all league tables;

Among the largest social work departments in London, recruiting approx 85 students each year;

Broad-based social work education ranging: BA, MA.,Post-qualifying and PhD;

Excellent performance at the most recent research assessment exercise: 20 in The Guardian;

Leader in social work research with an international reputation;

Qualified and experienced social work lecturers from the UK and around the world

What is social work…?

• Purposeful activity set within a legal & ethical framework

• State social work/ Community based/ Campaigning

• Involves values, skills, knowledge • Wide range of roles and responsibilities • More than an academic exercise• A reflective and critical process

Who we are…

Experienced researchers with expertise in a range of social work practice areas (e.g. mental health, children and families, older people, health care, palliative care);

Effective teachers who can make clear links between research, theory and practice in teaching;

A majority of staff who are social work qualified, and others with related specialisms;

Service users, carers and providers with experience of social work from a variety of perspectives

Alumni

The curriculum… Delegated approval by HCPC; Teaching underpinned by high quality research, anti-

discriminatory and anti-oppressive perspectives, and reflective practice in a diverse learning environment;

Generic social work curriculum with an opportunity to specialise in a specific pathway in the final year;

Service user and social work practitioner involvement in teaching & interdisciplinary teaching across health and social care;

Small group teaching to aid and stimulate learning.

Level 1…(includes 30 days skills development)

– Introduction to academic & professional practice

– Social Work: themes, roles & contemporary practice

– Human behaviour & development– Self-reflection & skills development hub– Sociology– Introduction to law– Service users & providers

Level 2…

• Reflective practice• Theories for social work practice• Social policy in context• Social Work Law in context• Values & contemporary issues• Practice seminars• 70 day placement

Level 3…

• Research methods• Professional pathway (from work with

children & families or adults)

• Elective (from family work, groups & communities or social support, personalisation & networking)

• Practice seminars• 100 day placement

Placements…

Long term relationships with well established partner agencies eg local authorities; Schools; Sure Starts; St Mungos;

Kids Company; refuges

Dedicated team to develop and manage practice learning

Placements run concurrently with teaching

What you need…

• A Levels: 3 at B• GCSEs: minimum C for English & Maths + >C in 3 othersOR• Access qualification in related subjectOR• Equivalents + experience of social care and ability to reflect on this+ ability to pass written test, group exercise and interview at

selection day

What you need…

• Funding:– DH Bursaries for highest ranked students in Level 2

and 3– Eligibility for student loan

Social Work Careers

• Most Brunel students find work in Local Authority children or adult services

• Wide range of teams and specialisms• ‘Outsourcing’ more services means that

private sector employers moving in • Voluntary sector• Meeting ex Brunel students

Vibrant environment…