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University of the West of England
School of Health and Social Care
PROGRAMME HANDBOOK
BA (Hons), Graduate Diploma and Post Graduate Certificate
Social Work Studies (Specialist Social Work with Adults)
20011/2012
Contents
Page No.
Introduction 2
Handbooks 4
Contact Details 5
The 3 Programmes 6
BA (Hons) Social Work Studies 6Graduate Diploma 7Post Graduate Certificate/ assignments at Masters level 8Choosing the Right Programme for You 10
Programme Aims: 11
BA/ Graduate Diploma 11Postgraduate Certificate 13
The Modules 15
The Student Experience 18
Application and Selection Diagram 19University Support 20 Agency Support 21
The Programme 22
Departmental Committee and Student Representation 22Experts by Experience 22Complaints 22Assessment and Results 22External Examiner 23Accreditation of Learning 24
Appendix 1: Generic Learning Agreement 25
1
Introduction
Welcome to the UWE Social Work Studies programmes.
All three programmes deliver the Post Qualifying Award in Specialist Social Work with Adults. Each is designed for qualified, practicing social workers, working with adult service users and their carers who whish to consolidate and extend their knowledge and practice in relation to a specific area of social work.
As a student on a PQ programme you will receive support from the university and from your sponsoring agency about which is the right programme for you. This will depend largely on your existing social work qualification. More information on the entry requirements and content of each programme can be found on page 10 of this handbook.
The programmes have been developed in partnership with service users and with local social work agencies, in response to the revised Post Qualifying Framework for Social Work Education and Training, launched by the General Social Care Council in February 2005. In keeping with GSCC requirements, the programmes are all modular and designed to be flexible enough to meet the needs of a wide range of practitioners. More details about the framework and national developments in all areas of post-qualifying social work can be found at: http://www.gscc.org.uk. As you may be aware due to changes in government policy and funding the GSCC will cease to exist some time in 2012. The GSCC functions will be incorporated within a reformed and renamed Health Professional Council and the new College of Social Work. Existing PQ programmes will continue as long as the demand is there and as this statement from the Social Work Reform Board and the College of Social Work confirms:
Social workers should be encouraged to complete programmes they have already started and to sign up for further programmes going forward. Universities will continue to make awards to social workers successfully completing programmes.The awards will not cease to exist or lose their value, and learning they engender will remain relevant. All PQ programmes currently approved by the GSCC meet national standards. We hope this will give social workers, employers, educators and future students reassurance about the continued value of PQ and its place in developing the workforce.
The PQ programmes at UWE are flexible and modular (made up of a number of compulsory and optional course, each of which has an amount of credit attached to it). The length of time taken to complete the programme will
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therefore vary from student to student. Further guidance about the structure of your programme of study can be found on page 6.
A significant proportion of the assessment within each programme takes place in practice using verification documents to be completed by your line manager. It is therefore very important that your manager and agency training staff/ department are supportive of your participation in the programme. The Learning Agreement pro-forma on page 25 will help you and your agency to be clear about the roles and expectations associated with post qualifying education.
Programme Aims
All three programmes share a common set of educational aims, based on the specialist level criteria set out in the Post-Qualifying Framework documentation (GSCC, 2005). These are:
To enable students to:
Consolidate, extend and deepen their competence in social work with adults, their carers and their families.
Think critically about their own practice in the context of the General Social Care Council (GSCC) codes of practice and national and international codes of professional ethics, in a wide range of situations, including those associated with inter-agency and inter-professional work.
Draw on knowledge and understanding of service users’ and carers’ issues in order to contribute to strategies and practice which promote service users’ and carers’ rights, participation, empowerment and choice.
Use reflection and critical analysis to develop their specialist practice, drawing systematically, accurately and appropriately on theories, models and relevant up to date research.
Work effectively in the contexts of risk, uncertainty, conflict and contradiction which characterise contemporary social work practice.
Teach and assess the practice of student social workers and mentor and support students or colleagues.
Take responsibility for the effective use of supervision to identify and explore issues, develop and implement plans and improve own practice.
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Effectively manage own work and demonstrate a capacity to plan for and respond to change in organisational, inter-organisational and team contexts.
Develop and implement effective ways of working in networks across organisational, sectoral and professional boundaries, thereby promoting inter-professional working and delivering integrated and person centred care.
Handbooks
This handbook should be read in conjunction with other appropriate handbooks:
Health and Social Care Student Handbook http://hsc.uwe.ac.uk/net/student/1hsc-student-online-handbook.aspx
AND
The Module Handbook UWE diary and information http://www.uwe.ac.uk/studentservices/uwe-
diary-info/Students Disability Guidance http://hsc.uwe.ac.uk/net/student/disabilityguidance.aspx
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Contact Details
The programme leader for all three programmes is:
Judith Thomas
Tel: 0117 328 8782
E-mail: [email protected]
Module Leaders:
Module Name Module Code
Module Leader Room Telephone Email
Consolidation of Competence in Social Work Practice
UZVS9F-20-3
Karen Jones 2F06 0117 328
8762 [email protected]
Specialist Social Work Practice with Adults, Service Users and their Carers
UZVS9D-40-3UZVS9E-40-M
Jeremy Dixon 2F08 0117 328
8755 [email protected]
Practice Education for Social Work Practice
UZVS9G-20-3
Judith Thomas 2F07 0117
3288782 [email protected]
Evidence and Research in Practice
UZWR38-20-3
Abby Sabey Hartpury -
OMD0601452 702175 [email protected]
Independent Study UZVREM
-20-3Karen Jones 2F06 0117 328
8762 [email protected]
Evidencing Work Based Learning UZVREN-
20-3Judith Thomas 2F07 0117
3288782 [email protected]
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The 3 Programmes
BA (Hons) Social Work Studies (Specialist Social Work with Adults)
This is a level 3 programme for qualified, practicing social workers who hold a social work qualification at Dip HE level or equivalent. This includes the Diploma in Social Work (Dip SW) and 2 year undergraduate routes to the Certificate of Qualification in Social Work (CQSW). If you hold a degree in social work, one of the other programmes will be more suitable for you. You may also choose to do one of the other programmes if you are a graduate in a subject other than social work.
The programme is made up of 360 credits, 240 of which will be awarded through the faculty ‘Accredited Learning’ (AL) process for your existing social work qualification (see p.6 for more information on Accredited Learning). The remaining 120 credits are made up of 4 compulsory and one option module:
Consolidation of Social Work Practice (20 credits) Evidence and Research in Practice (20 credits) Specialist Social Work Practice with Adult Service Users and their Carers
(40 credits) Practice Education for Social Work Practice (20 credits) Option Module (20 credits)
The timing of the programme is very flexible, but a possible route is: Year 1 Year 2
Consolidation of Competence(Sept – Dec)
Evidence and Research for
Practice(Jan – Apr)
Specialist Social Work Practice(May – Nov)
Practice Education
(Jan – May)
Option modules can be taken at any point depending on availability
The full marking criteria for level 3 assessment can be found on the HSC student net at: http://hsc.uwe.ac.uk/net/student/Default.aspx?pageid=80
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Graduate Diploma Social Work Studies (Specialist Social Work with Adults)
This is a level 3 programme for qualified, practicing social workers who are graduates and wish to study at level 3 rather than Masters level.
The programme is very similar to the BSc (Hons) and is made up of 120 credits at level 3. There are 3 compulsory modules and 2 option modules:
Consolidation of Social Work Practice (20 credits) Specialist Social Work Practice with Adult Service Users and their Carers
(40 credits) Practice Education for Social Work Practice (20 credits) Option Module I (20 credits) Option Module II (20 credits)
Again the structure of the programme is very flexible, but a possible route is: Year 1 Year 2
Consolidation of Competence(Sept – Dec)
Possible space for option module (Jan – Apr)
Specialist Social Work Practice(May – Nov)
Practice Education(Jan – May)
Both option modules can be taken at any point depending on availability
The full marking criteria for level 3 assessment can be found on the HSC student net at: http://hsc.uwe.ac.uk/net/student/Default.aspx?pageid=80
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Post Graduate Certificate Social Work Studies (Specialist Social Work with Adults)
This is a programme for qualified, practicing social workers who hold a social work qualification at Honours or Masters degree level and who wish to undertake some of their post qualifying studies at Masters level.
The programme is made up of 100 credits. At least 40 of these must be at level M. There are 3 compulsory modules and 1 option:
Consolidation of Social Work Practice (20 credits, level 3) Specialist Social Work Practice with Adult Service Users and their Carers
(40 credits, level M) Practice Education for Social Work Practice (20 credits, level 3) Option Module (20 credits, level 3 or level M)
A possible route through the programme is: Year 1 Year 2
Consolidation of Competence(Sept – Dec)
Possible space for option module (Jan – Apr)
Specialist Social Work Practice(May – Nov)
Practice Education(Jan – May)
Assignments at Masters LevelIn its descriptor for higher education qualifications at Master’s level, the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) says:
Students will have shown originality in the application of knowledge and they will understand how the boundaries of knowledge are advanced through research. They will be able to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively and they will have shown originality in tackling and solving problems. They will have the qualities needed for employment in circumstances requiring sound judgement, personal responsibility and initiative in complex and unpredictable professional environments.
Masters degrees are awarded to students who have demonstrated:
i a systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of their academic discipline, field of study, or area of professional practice;
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ii a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research or advanced scholarship;
iii originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline;
iv conceptual understanding that enables the student:
to evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in the discipline; and
to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses.
You can read the full QAA descriptor at: http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/fheq/EWNI/default.asp
The QAA descriptor underpins the UWE marking grid, which is used in relation to all assignments. The level M marking grid can be found on the student net at: http://hsc.uwe.ac.uk/net/student/Default.aspx?pageid=80
You will see from this that the pass mark for an M level assignment is 50% rather than 40% (the pass mark at level 3). If you are already familiar with the level 3 grid, you will also notice the expectation that M level work should be more comprehensive, analytical and detailed.
If you are uncertain about your ability to study at Masters level, please make an appointment to discuss this with the programme leader.
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Choosing the right programme for you
Having three programmes to choose from can be confusing! The chart below summarises the information given on the last few pages and should help you to be sure you enrol on the right programme for you.
The Programme
Who is it for? Why choose this programme?
BA (Hons) This is for anyone who does not already have a degree in social work. Your existing social work qualification is likely to be a 2 year Dip SW or CQSW with a Dip HE academic qualification.
You must enrol on this programme if you do not have a degree already.
If you have a degree in something other than social work and an undergraduate Dip HE in social work you can choose this programme or one of the others.
Graduate Diploma
This is for any graduate who wants to study at level 3 (ie 3rd year of a degree)
The Specialist Award in Post Qualifying Social Work does not require you to study beyond degree level.
Post Graduate Certificate
This is for graduates who particularly want to do some study at Masters level
You should choose this programme if you are confident in your academic ability and would like to do some higher level study
The programme is shorter than the others at 100 rather than 120 credits.
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Programme Aims: BA/ Graduate Diploma
Knowledge and understanding Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:1. Values and ethics, including the complex dilemmas inherent in balancing
rights, risk and protection in social work with adult service users and their carers and families.
2. Legislation, policy and welfare relevant to social work with adults including equality and human rights legislation.
3. Adulthood development and transitions and the ways in which these relate to individual needs and circumstances.
4. A range of models and frameworks of assessment and their applicability to complex work with adult service users.
5. The multi-professional and multi-agency context of adult health and social care and its’ implications for social work practice.
6. The range of skills required to plan, support and manage the assessment of learners in the workplace.
Intellectual SkillsStudents should be able to:1. Evaluate organisational policies and procedures within their historical and
contemporary political context. 2. Analyse theories of adulthood, including those relating to development,
identity, transition and loss. 3. Demonstrate their understanding of approaches to risk and assessment in
adult social work in the light of contemporary theory and research.4. Analyse theories of adult learning, support and assessment.5. Critically discuss the changing role of social work with adults within
contemporary society.6. Evaluate and critically analyse a range of evidence supporting practice and
policies in the workplace.
Subject/Professional/Practical SkillsStudents should be able to:1. Communicate effectively with adult service users and their carers through
their preferred choice of communication, taking full account of any impairment.
2. Assess risk in a way which balances independence, vulnerability, rights, the protection of the individual and the needs, rights and security of others.
3. Work accountably with other professionals, agencies, communities, service users and carers.
4. Reflect critically on and continue to develop their own professional practice.
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5. Enable, support and assess the learning of others in practice.
Transferable skills and other attributesStudents should be able to:1. Take responsibility for own learning and demonstrate an open minded
approach to learning in familiar and unfamiliar contexts. 2. Reflect on own performance and respond positively to feedback.3. Question own values and prejudices including an awareness of ethical
dilemmas, conflicts of interest and the implications of these for practice.4. Critically reflect on and question current practice.5. Use information technology to find, communicate and manage information.
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Programme Aims: Post Graduate Certificate
Knowledge and understanding Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
1. Values and ethics, including the complex dilemmas inherent in balancing rights, risk and protection in social work with adult service users and their carers and families.
2. Legislation, policy and welfare relevant to social work with adults including equality and human rights legislation.
3. Adulthood development and transitions and the ways in which these relate to individual needs and circumstances.
4. A range of models and frameworks of assessment and their applicability to complex work with adult service users.
5. The multi-professional and multi-agency context of adult health and social care and its’ implications for social work practice.
6. The range of skills required to plan, support and manage the assessment of learners in the workplace.
Intellectual SkillsStudents should be able to:
1. Critically evaluate organisational policies and procedures within their historical and contemporary political context.
2. Critically analyse theories of adulthood, including those relating to development, identity, transition and loss.
3. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of approaches to risk and assessment in adult social work in the light of contemporary theory and research.
4. Critically analyse theories of adult learning, support and assessment.5. Critically discuss the changing role of social work with adults within
contemporary society.
Subject/Professional/Practical SkillsStudents should be able to:
1. Communicate effectively with adult service users and their carers through their preferred choice of communication, taking full account of any impairment.
2. Assess risk in a way which balances independence, vulnerability, rights, the protection of the individual and the needs, rights and security of others.
3. Work accountably with other professionals, agencies, communities, service users and carers.
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4. Reflect critically on and continue to develop their own professional practice.
5. Enable, support and assess the learning of others in practice.
Transferable skills and other attributesStudents should be able to:
1. Take responsibility for own learning and demonstrate an open minded approach to learning in familiar and unfamiliar contexts.
2. Reflect on own performance and respond positively to feedback.3. Question own values and prejudices including an awareness of ethical
dilemmas, conflicts of interest and the implications of these for practice.4. Critically reflect on and question current practice.5. Use information technology to find, communicate and manage
information.
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The Modules
Consolidation of Competence in Social Work Practice (all programmes unless you already hold PQ1)20 creditsLevel 39th September – 18th November 2011This module will enable you to build on and consolidate your competence as a social worker within a specific area of practice. Teaching and learning takes place through a series of 4 full day workshops over a 3 month period and is supported by an on-line site. Topics covered include policy and procedures in adult social work; the contribution of service user and carer expertise; using theory and research to critically reflect on practice; communication and engagement; planning, assessment, evaluation and review in adult services; managing risk; values in adult practice and personal and professional development.
The assignment for the module consists of an assessment of your practice by your employing agency and a reflective assignment based on a direct observation of your practice.
For most students, this will be the first module of the programme although those who hold the PQ1 award under the previous GSCC Post Qualifying Framework will be eligible for credit for this module (See page 18 for more information on ‘Accredited Learning’ and ‘Accredited Experiential Learning’ in the faculty).
Evidence and Research in Practice (BA (Hons) only)20 creditsLevel 319th Jan 2012 – 29th March 2012 This module is about ways of finding, evaluating and disseminating research for practice. You will learn to critically evaluate different kinds of research methodology; identify potential barriers to research implementation and understand principles and strategies for successful implementation of research based on the best available evidence. Teaching and learning takes place over 12 weekly 3 hour sessions.
Assessment for the module consists of a set of previously seen questions, answered under controlled conditions and a critique of a research paper which relates to your own professional practice.
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Specialist Social Work Practice with Adult Service Users and their Carers40 credits (all programmes)Level 3 and Level M17th May – 12th Dec 2012This module provides an opportunity for you to explore an area of specialist practice in detail and to relate this to your individual practice. The module is taught through a series of 5 full day workshops over a 6 month period and is supported by an on-line site. Teaching and learning will focus on key issues for adult care practice including legislation and social policy; adulthood, development and transitions; assessment, risk, vulnerability and protection; multi agency working and the value base of social work.
The assignment for the module consists of an assessment of your practice by your employing agency and a 6,000 word assignment on a theme closely related to your own practice.
Practice Education for Social Work Practice (all programmes)20 creditsLevel 319th Jan - 14th June 2012This module focuses on the planning, facilitating and assessing of learning in practice and requires you to be working with a learner, preferably a social work student, and involved in these activities in your work place. The module is taught through a series of 5 full day workshops over a 5 month period and is supported by on-line learning. Teaching and learning focuses on theory and practice in relation to adult learning and assessment.
The assessment for the module consists of a direct observation of your practice as a facilitator of learning and a reflective assignment based on your experience as a practice educator.
In most cases you will be expected to take this module towards the end of your programme of study.
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Option ModulesThere are some optional modules available. Most of these are accessible to students on a variety of programmes. The timing and availability of these modules will vary according to demand and the programmes within which they are situated. You should check on the PQ blackboard site for details of modules available in any particular semester and if you need to arrange to talk to the programme leader. Option modules likely to be of particular interest to social work students include:
Taught Moduleso Communication Skills in Cancer and Palliative Careo End of Life Care o Issues in Child Protection o Engaging Communities and Service Users
The range of optional modules is more limited than it has been in previous years due to numbers attending other CPD programmes in the faculty. Consequently we are encouraging PQ students to undertake the independent learning modules outlined below. You will be supported in small groups to complete these modules and the module leader will, where possible, ensure that you have access to a specialist in your area of interest e.g. learning disabilities, working with people who have dementia.
Independent Learning ModulesThe two independent learning modules are different from the taught modules in that they do not have set content and are not usually delivered in the conventional way to large groups of learners at set times. The aim is rather to enable learners to develop a piece of work for assessment, based on a particular area of practice interest or work based project or activity. Support is negotiated through a learning agreement (which may include the learner’s line manager or other agency representative) and provided mainly through individual or small group tutorials and on line contact.
o Independent Study o Evidencing Work-Based Learning
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The Student Experience
Application and SelectionIn most cases students on the programme are funded and supported by their employing agencies who work closely with the programme team. You must therefore discuss your application with your agency training department and your line manager before formally applying to undertake modules within the programme.
You are also advised to discuss module choices well in advance of the start date, with the Programme Leader – Judith Thomas. You can contact her on: 0117 3288782 or by E mail: [email protected]
The overall application and selection process is managed by the Continuing Professional Development Unit in the faculty. The unit is an important source of information and advice about this and other CPD programmes. You and can contact staff there on: 0117 32 81158 or by E mail: [email protected] /or go to the web site: http://hsc.uwe.ac.uk/cpd
The diagram over the page shows the process for application and selection throughout your programme.
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University Support
GeneralYou will receive support from the Programme Leader and from members of the individual module teams as you progress through your programme. However the Student Net is also a vital source of information and support in relation to your learning. You can access this at: http://hsc.uwe.ac.uk/net/student/
The Net is the place where you will find the University Handbook and the Undergraduate Faculty Handbook which both contain important information about assessment regulations, student support including support for disabled students, complaints, appeals and other information. The Undergraduate Faculty Handbook in particular includes information about learning support, services provided by the Student One Stop Shop, study skills tutors and the student advisers at Glenside. The Student Net also has a wide range of helpful resources relating to study skills and learning support. The library website, which is accessible via the Net or directly at: http://www.uwe.ac.uk/library/ allows you to access many texts and other resources electronically as well as providing on line tutorials and guidance on referencing and a range of other topics.
UWE On line Learning Resource (Blackboard)The Specialist Award in Post Qualifying Social Work at UWE has its own on-line site. This is the place where many of the resources for the compulsory modules on the various programmes are located. It is also a place where you can communicate with your fellow students and where module and programme leaders will place notices and announcements for your attention. It is therefore important that you access it regularly.
Once you are enrolled on a programme (this may take a couple of weeks from your initial registration) you will receive a user name and password to enable you to access your programme site within the UWE On-line system. To do this you need to: Go to the main UWE site: http://www.uwe.ac.uk/ Click on ‘My UWE’ Enter your user name and password Click on ‘Courses’ Click on ‘PQ Social Work(Specialist Award) 11
The menu on the left hand side will then enable you to explore different areas of the site.
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Agency Support
GeneralThe programmes which deliver the Specialist Award in Post Qualifying Social Work have been developed in partnership with local social work agencies. In most cases staff in your agency training department will be familiar with the various programmes. In most cases there will be a named person within your agency who acts as the PQ link between the agency and the programme. You are asked to identify this person in your Learning Agreement (see below).
Your line manager has an important role to play in relation to your learning on the programme. He or she is responsible for verifying your practice within the compulsory modules: ‘Consolidation of Competence in Social Work Practice’ and ‘Specialist Social Work Practice with Adult Service Users and their Carers’. A Practice Verification Document and accompanying guidance will be provided as part of these modules, however it is also expected that your experience on the programme will be the subject of ongoing support and reflection within supervision and agency appraisal processes.
Learning AgreementThe learning agreement is an essential tool in ensuring that your experience of balancing academic work and practice is managed as transparently and as well as possible. It sets out the roles and responsibilities of those involved as well as providing a place for recording agreements about individual student support. Some modules will provide a module specific learning agreement pro-forma for you to use, but there is also a generic pro-forma in this handbook (Appendix 1, page 25) which you can use in relation to any module. The learning agreement is signed by you, your line manager and the training department representative who is acting as agency PQ link.
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The Programme
Health and Applied Social Sciences Departmental CommitteeThis committee monitors the running and development of the 3 PQ Specialist Programmes along with other programmes run in the Department. The committee is chaired by the Head of Department and membership includes the subject leads, including Social Work, programme leads and student representatives from all programmes.
Student Staff Liaison MeetingsThese meetings are chaired by Karen Jones, the subject lead for Social Work and are an opportunity for students and module leaders to discuss the development of the programmes and raise any concerns. All students are invited to these meetings and they will be held on days when you attend for teaching. Any significant concerns and suggestions raised at the meeting can be taken forward by the student representative to the departmental committee. These meetings will be held at least twice a year. Provisional dates for 2011/12 are 18th November 2011 and 14th June 2012.
Experts by ExperienceThose who use social work services and their carers play an important role within the programme. Service users and carers have been involved in designing and developing the PQ programmes. They have an ongoing involvement in the delivery of teaching and learning, in helping to quality assure assessment and in acting as consultants to those enrolled on the PQ programmes. They are also active participants in the development and quality assurance of programmes.
The PQ programmes and the undergraduate BSc Social Work programme are jointly involved in a ‘Hub Group’ where people who have used social work services and their carers work with academic staff to develop user and carer involvement within the social work programmes and the wider faculty. Hub group members have chosen the term ‘Experts by Experience’ to describe themselves. You will meet several Experts by Experience during your studies.
ComplaintsIssues relating to assessment or the academic content of the course should be raised with the appropriate module leader or the programme leader in the first instance. Details of the formal complaints system which is available to all students in the faculty are outlined in the Faculty Handbook. Issues relating to the overall management of the course are usually best dealt with through the Student/Staff Liaison Meeting (see above) via your student representatives. Issues which relate specifically to your agency may be discussed at the
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Student/Staff Liaison Meetingbut should also be taken up directly with the person acting as your agency PQ representative. The social work team also have regular meetings with representatives from employing agencies and the programme leader can also feed back any issues to representatives at these meetings.
Assessment and ResultsIt is very important that you read the assessment regulations in the university and faculty student handbooks (available on the student net: http://hsc.uwe.ac.uk/net/student/). You will also find specific guidance about assessment for individual modules in module handbooks.
It is particularly important to note that the university does not give extensions. The process of assignment submission is handled centrally within the faculty so individual tutors or programme leaders are not able to extend your submission date. There is a procedure for submitting ‘extenuating circumstances’ if you are unable to hand in your work on time because of personal circumstances such as illness or bereavement. This is also a centralised faculty process with details given in the faculty handbook and available on the student net.
Feedback on assignments submitted in hard copy and provisional marks are usually left in the Student One Stop Shop for collection or they can be posted to you if you enclose a stamped addressed envelope with your assignment. Results for some modules may be available via e-mail from the module leader. The provisional marks for on-line submissions will be available via your UWE portal. Marks are usually available within 4 working weeks of the submission date excluding any Bank Holidays or days that the University is closed.
Exam results are published on the UWE website: www.UWE.ac.uk. Click the "Current students and staff" option to access the Intranet. On the left-hand side of the front page, in the "Links relating to:" section, highlight "Timetables and exams" then "Exam results" and log in to view your results.
Your provisional marks will be confirmed at a formal Exam Board. All results which have been confirmed by an Exam Board are published by 15:00 on the fifth working day after the Board has met. You can print off your 'Notification of Credit and Assessment Marks' online via 'myUWE'.
External ExaminerA sample of all assessed work, including all fails and marginal work is sent to External Examiners. The External Examiner is someone with knowledge of adult care practice and post qualifying social work education.
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Accreditation of LearningFull details of the university’s Accredited Learning (AL) and Accredited Experiential Learning (AEL) provision is set out in the Faculty Student Handbook. The principle is essentially that if you can use certificated learning (AL) or evidence of experiential learning (AEL) to show that you have met the learning outcomes of modules in your programme, you may be granted credit for these modules. You can only use credit which has not been used towards an award at the same or a higher level. (So if you have a degree you cannot use any of that credit again towards another degree, but you can use credit from a 2 year HE diploma towards a degree – see below). The general rule is that you cannot ‘A(E)L’ more than two thirds of an academic award.
These are some specific points to be aware of in relation to the post qualifying social work programmes:
BA (Hons) Social Work StudiesStudents on the BA are those who undertook a 2 year Diploma of Higher Education in order to achieve their initial social work qualification. If this applies to you, the university will take evidence of this to grant 240 ‘AL’ credits towards your BA degree. You will then undertake 120 level 3 credits (as described on P 10) to make up the full 360 credits required for the BA degree.
PQ1 and ‘Consolidation of Competence in Social work Practice’If you have evidence that you hold a ‘PQ1’ award under the previous Post Qualifying Social Work Framework, you will be given ‘AL’ credit for the module: ‘Consolidation of Competence in Social Work Practice’ within the new framework. This means that you will not have to undertake the consolidation module if you hold PQ1. The university has agreed that credit can be give for PQ1 even where this breaches the two thirds rule.
Practice Teacher Award and ‘Practice Education for Social Work Practice’If you achieved the ‘Practice Teacher Award’ under the previous Post Qualifying Social Work Framework, you may wish to make an ‘AL’ or ‘AEL’ claim against the module ‘Practice Education for Social Work Practice’. This will however be subject to the two thirds rule.
If you have completed the regional ‘Managing Practice Learning’ course you cannot claim credit for this module, but you may not have to attend all of the teaching and learning sessions.
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Appendix 1
Generic Learning Agreement
Some individual modules will provide a specific learning agreement pro-forma. The agreement below can however be used whenever appropriate in relation to any of the modules within the programme.
Student’s name……………………………………………………………
1. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Students are responsible for their own learning, they must ensure that they book time for study and attendance at university and that they submit work on time.
Line Managers agree time for course attendance and study, with appropriate workload relief and supervision arrangements. Line managers also provide verification/ assessment of students practice in relation to certain modules.
Agency PQ Link (usually someone from your staff learning and development section or equivalent) provides the overall link between the supporting agency the university.
2. SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS
2.1 Arrangements for study time
2.2 Workload arrangements for student
2.3 Arrangements for direct observation(s) if appropriate (see module handbooks for module specific information):
2.4 Support from line manager and others
2.5 Arrangements for verification/ assessment of student’s practice where line manager is not a registered social worker.
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2.6 How difficulties or disputes relating to the student's attendance on the course will be resolved
2.6 Particular student needs and how these will be met
2.7 Any other issues
3. SIGNATURES
Student………………………………………………Date……………
Line Manager…….………………………………….Date……………
Agency PQ Link………..……………………………Date…………....
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