Northampton, University of, BA (Hons), Social Work

Stage 1: Stage 1 offers foundation knowledge for social work practice; the value base of social work is emphasised and students will develop their understanding of anti discriminatory and anti oppressive practice within a model that promotes social justice and relationship based practice; students are assisted to develop their information technology skills undertaking 6 weeks of training with tutors from the business school; students also undertake mandatory ‘breakaway’ training to prepare them for practice; a 40-day assessed placement is completed in a social work setting. Stage 2: At stage 2, students develop their understanding of different service user groups; the modules explore issues that are relevant to practice and develop students practice skills through experiential learning in small learning sets; a module on gender develops students understanding of the interconnectedness of oppression, discrimination and inequality and how gender shapes organisations and service delivery; a 60 day assessed placement is completed in a social work setting. Stage 3: At stage 3, students undertake a 100 day assessed placement in a social work agency and complete a dissertation on an aspect of practice; there is also a module on working with service users with complex problems; by the end of stage 3 students will have demonstrated their readiness for professionally qualified practice.