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…