Social work courses
Choose from:
Undergraduate courses
- Social Work BSc/BSc(Hons)
UCAS code: L500
Postgraduate courses
Post-Qualifying Awards in Social Work
Step up to Social Work programme
In partnership with Department of Education and the West London Alliance we are running a third cohort of the Step Up to Social Work Programme starting in January 2014. The programme forms part of the on-going recruitment initiative to place the best social workers on the frontline.
For more information and to complete an online application form visit the Department of Education website or read the FAQs for the Step up to Social Work programme
Short courses
We also have a range of short courses for professionals who are interested in refreshing their knowledge and skills or just want to stay on top of new developments in social work.
More information about our social work and social care short courses
Overview
What is social work?
A social worker works with people to help overcome problems in their lives. Sometimes this includes:
- confronting and managing behaviours that put them or others at risk
- acting to safeguard vulnerable adults and children from abuse
You will act as a guide and advocate, offering advice and guidance to help them understand and solve their problems and to make plans.
As a social worker you may work with people who are:
- homeless
- sick
- having family problems
- students having trouble in school
What does it involve?
Social work involves engaging not only with clients, their family and friends, and working closely with other organisations including:
- the police
- local authority departments
- schools
- the probation service
Social workers tend to specialise in either adult or children's services.
Adult services
These roles include:
- Working with people with mental health problems or learning difficulties in residential care
- Working with young offenders, by supervising them in the community and supporting them to find work
- Working with older people at home helping to sort out problems with their health, housing or benefits
- Safeguarding vulnerable adults from abuse
Children and young people services
These roles include:
- Providing assistance and advice to keep families together
- Providing support to young people leaving care or who are at risk or in trouble with the law
- Helping children who have problems at school or are facing difficulties brought on by illness in the family
What personal attributes does a social worker require?
- Strong observation, analytical and listening skills
- The ability to absorb legal information
- Patience and the ability to remain calm in a crisis
- The ability to negotiate, meditate and interpret on behalf of clients
Typical work activities
- Conducting interviews with clients and their families to assess and review their situations
- Offering information and counselling support to service users and their families
- Organising and managing packages of support to enable clients to lead the fullest lives possible
- Recommending and sometimes making decisions about the best course of action
- Participating in multidisciplinary teams and meetings, for example child protection and mental health
Reputation and expertise
Our University was one of the first institutions in England and Wales to offer a social work qualification linked to an Honours degree programme. Over the past 35 years the University has developed a proven record of offering its students a high quality of social work education at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and for its applied social work research.
We have extensive links with universities in Europe and world wide, affording opportunities to learn from such international links and expertise, with possibilities of study overseas.
Career options
Social workers can be employed by:
- The social services departments of local authorities
- primary care / health service trusts
- Hospitals and hospices
- GP practices
- Private sector nursing homes
- Voluntary and independent organisations
Work settings may vary according to the employer; you may work in a large department or you could be based in a small organisation.