Social Work

Overview

In your first year of study you will undertake modules which provide core knowledge about social work purpose, practice, and impact, human growth and development, and the policy and legislation which underpins practice. Additionally, you will learn the key methods, interventions, and skills for working with diverse communities and service users.

The second year of teaching builds on this to explore the research evidence and practice relating to a range of social work settings and collaborative and interprofessional working to assess and manage risks and vulnerability. The Social Work programme from University of Hertfordshire culminates in the writing of a dissertation on a topic area in which you are especially interested.

This academic learning is complemented by two placement blocks totalling 170 days in contrasting settings and 30 days of classroom-based skill development.

Why choose this course?

• Social work is a regulated profession. The MSc Social Work programme leads to eligibility to apply to the Social Work England Register and practice as a social worker in England;
• An emphasis on small group practice prepares you for practice in a modern multi-professional workforce;
• Interactive learning in and out of the classroom will help you to understand concepts fully;
• Academic teaching is supported by social work practitioners from the newly constituted Teaching Partnership with Hertfordshire County Council and the Tavistock and Portman Foundation Trust, service users, and carers enabling you to link theory to practice throughout the programme.
• A distinct feature of the programme is an emphasis on the development of knowledge and skills through reflective practice.

Careers

Social workers practice in a wide variety of settings with a range of service user groups and settings from adoption to end of life care and from hospitals to prisons. A former a British Prime Minister was even a social worker and social work lecturer. Depending on your interest your future career could involve work with:

• Children and their families, either to avoid family breakdown or where there is a risk of abuse of neglect;
• Children with disabilities;
• Young offenders
• Foster carers;
• Adults with physical or mental health problems;
• Refugees;
• Older people;
• Carers;

Our programme will equip you with skills to practice with children and adults throughout their lives and in the full range of statutory and voluntary agencies which employ social workers.