Social Work at Brunel University

BA Social Work MA Social Work CPD and PQ degrees

Social Work Division

Rated 1st in The Guardian League Table, 2012 Highest rated student satisfaction (NSS) of London social

work departments One of the largest social work schools in London

recruiting c85 students each year Social work education ranging from undergraduate to

PhD Leader in social work research with an international

reputation

Academic staff research activities Effect of Family Drug and Alcohol Courts on children

(Prof Judith Harwin) Rights of service users to be involved in decisions

affecting their lives (Prof Peter Beresford OBE) Care experiences of older people with no children (Dr

Mary Sullivan) Experience of international social work practitioners in

English social work practice (Dr Sue Hanna) Four research centres in the Division, and Brunel

Institute for Aging Studies, contribute to linking research, theory and practice in teaching

Social Work Programmes

Meet requirements for professional practice as defined by The College of Social Work and HCPC

Teaching underpinned by high quality research, anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive perspectives, and reflective practice

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

Service user and social work practitioner involvement in teaching & Interdisciplinary teaching

Small group teaching to support and stimulate learning

Typical Social Work Course Content: academic

Introduction to academic and professional practice Social work themes, roles & contemporary practice Human Development Social Policy & Sociology Self reflection and Skills Development Hub Introduction to Law Working with Service Users & Service Providers Theories underpinning social work Contemporary issues and values Professional pathways (Children & Families OR Adults) Choice of one Elective

Typical Social Work Course Content: practice Skills development (campus based: 30 days) Practice seminars (campus based) Practice placements (170 days over 2 years)

Long term relationships with well established partner agencies, including memoranda of cooperation

Dedicated team to develop and manage practice learning

Placements run concurrently with teaching

Students have agency placements that include:Statutory Placements

Hillingdon Social Services Hounslow Social Services Ealing Social Services Slough Social Services Brent Social Services Harrow Social Services

Voluntary Placements

Re-Start St.Mungos Crime Reduction Initiative Community Housing and

Therapy

Graduates will be competent to:

Undertake ethical, innovative & effective social work practice in a diverse society;

Undertake critical & professional practice with service users that actively promotes social justice;

Integrate theory, policy, practice, & research evidence to meet service users’ and the profession’s needs;

Have both a generic & detailed understanding of social work knowledge, values and intervention skills, applicable to a variety fields and methods of practice;

Demonstrate research capacity to critically evaluate social work research, & independently undertake and manage a research project.

Additional Information

Allocated an academic tutor Typical week is 9am-5pm (typically 2 days academic

input, 3 days in practice setting) Student supported in placement by practice educators,

practice tutors, and academic tutors on campus Students will need to get a criminal records check from

the Disclosure & Barring service to practice

Fees /Costs

The fees for this course are £9,000 per year for 2013/14 Home/EU students and

£15,00 for international students.

The Department of Health is currently consulting to reform the bursary. Consultation is underway

Currently no bursary will be offered in the first year

with a cap on the number of bursaries in years 2/3 See www.nhsbsa. Nhs.uk/students/825. aspx for

details of the social work bursary

Assessed and Supported Year in Employment

new requirement from 2015/16 It will be a form of CPD with students expected to

complete an assessed and supported year in employment (ASYE).

extra support provided during first year in practice. For more information see The College of Social Work

Website www.collegeofsocialwork.org

Our Graduates

Highly sought after as social workers in various locations in the UK with the majority working in London boroughs

Pursue post graduate study and research focused careers

Continue their association with Brunel as Practice Educators

Alumni Group which mentors and supports on course students