Social Work - BSc (Hons)
Course Overview
The course is based on the National Occupational Standards for social work practice and is a partnership with local social work agencies and service user groups. It combines and integrates professional training in social work with academic study to degree level.
Social Work involves a flexible approach to meeting the needs of individuals, groups or communities. The Programme is concerned with developing a range of competencies to meet the National Occupational Standard for Social Work. Current legislation, theory and research-based evidence in relation to social work knowledge, skills and values are related to direct practice experience and settings. This will include an understanding of the legislative provision of services and the importance of understanding social work within a Welsh context.
The Care Council for Wales Code of Practice, equality and human rights issues will be integral to learning and practice. You will be expected to comply with the Code of Practice of the Care Council for Wales.
This course is also available at Bridgend College. Please visit http://www.bridgend.ac.uk/socialwork or contact Bridgend College directly on 01656 302 302 or enquiries@bridgend.ac.uk for further information.
Course Content
Year One:
Before undertaking direct practice with service users in a practice learning setting, you must undertake 20 days of assessed practice learning through which you must demonstrate that you have the basic interpersonal skills and values to be suitable and safe to work with service users. Study will focus on core values and skills as well as broader social, cultural and institutional processes that frame the role and task of social work.
Year Two & Three:
You will spend 180 days in assessed practice learning settings. This will involve a minimum of two practice settings. This will provide you with a range of learning opportunities to demonstrate competence in relation to National Occupational Standards for Social Work and the Care Council for Wales' Code of Practice.
There will be a focus on disadvantage, oppression and deprivation; leading to an emphasis on social work intervention and the contexts within which social work is practised.
Each year you will focus on six key roles in working with individuals, families, carers, groups and communities:
- Role and context of social work
- Communication & Empowerment
- Assessment and Intervention
- Management of Risk
- Work within organisations
- Personal & Professional Development
A substantial part of the course is spent in practice settings within agencies in South Wales, therefore the ability to undertake travelling to and within practice agencies will be an expectation.
Whilst on the Social Work degree students are required to demonstrate that they are able to use Information and Communication Technology (ICT) methods and techniques to support their learning and practice
Career Potential
Graduates will be able to access a wide range of employment opportunities within social work in both statutory, voluntary and independent sector employment. Graduates are able to work with a range of services users and address complex social issues.
Entry Requirements
Applicants should hold Key Skills Level Two in Numeracy / Application of Number and Communication or GCSE's (or equivalent) in Maths and English language (Grade C or above) (or Welsh), and must be able to demonstrate an ability to study at higher education, normally through a recognised qualification::
- 240 points from at least two A Levels / Scottish Advanced Highers to include grades CC
- BTEC QCF Diploma / Extended Diploma 240 points
- A relevant NVQ Level 3 or 4 in a social work/social care related subject area.
- Pass Access with 45 credits at Level 3
- 240 points from the Welsh Baccalaureate to include grades CC at A Level, Core counted as third subject
- Other recognised qualification that provides evidence of ability to study at Higher Education Level
If your qualification isn't listed above, please refer to the UCAS website.
• Applicants are also expected to hold a minimum of six weeks, supervised (paid or unpaid) work experience in a social care setting. This requirement will have to be demonstrated on your UCAS application form and be completed at the time of applying.
• Please note: for 2014 entry, applicants will be expected to hold a minimum of 12 weeks supervised (paid or unpaid) work experience in a social care setting.
Further information on appropriate qualifications can be found at: http://www.qca.org.uk/.
Entry onto this course is also subject to a satisfactory criminal records check. More details about criminal records procedures can be found at www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/dbs.
Key Facts
Accredited by: Care Council for Wales
UCAS Code(s): L501
Campus: Llandaff
School: Cardiff School of Health Sciences
Course Length: Three years full-time
Assessment:
Assessment of individual areas of study will include a combination of different approaches: practice, simulation exercises essays, reports, individual presentations, group presentations and examinations.
Selection Procedure:
Selection is based on the receipt of a completed UCAS application where suitability is assessed based on your match to the entry requirements. All short listed applicants will be invited to an interview day. Applicants supported/sponsored by Local Authority Social Services Departments in the South Wales region should apply directly through your own Training Departments who will subsequently initiate the selection process.
Interview Process:
You will be required to undertake a written test under examination conditions. The written test is based around a current issue/case study within social work, and the test lasts for one hour. You will be expected to answer questions on the written task.
This process is to enable you to demonstrate the potential to work with people in need and show you have the appropriate personal qualities, skills and values to be a social worker.
Following the written test you will undergo an interview. The interviews are undertaken by academic members of staff from both Cardiff Metropolitan University and Bridgend College, alongside social work practitioners and service users/carers that are involved with the Programme.
You will then be notified in writing if you are to be offered a place on the course. You will be required to formally accept the offer in writing to UCAS and the Allocation, Selection and Access Co-ordinator at the university.
All offers made are conditional, in that all successful applicants will have to satisfy Criminal Record Bureau regulations, health checks and meet the requirements of registration with the Care Council for Wales.
If you are successful and offered a place, you will receive written instruction about starting on the course and the DBS/registration conditions that they need to meet prior to commencement of the course.
Tuition Fees and Financial Support:
For up to date information on tuition fees and the financial support that may be available please refer to www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/fees.
Bursaries & Scholarships:
The university also offers a bursary and scholarship scheme to help students whilst at university. To see if you are eligible, visit www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/scholarships.