Social Work (MRes) (Master)

Course content

The course will introduce you to core areas of social work knowledge, skills and practice. You will:

• Develop an in-depth understanding of human behaviour and how to enable others to achieve their goals
• Learn how to critically analyse evidence and construct arguments
• Communicate effectively to a variety of audiences and negotiate effective outcomes in complex social situations.

Placements

You'll undertake two placements in different types of practice. The placements allow you to experience contemporary social work, with the guidance of a qualified social worker.

On your placements, you will work with a wide range of groups, such as vulnerable adults, children and families, young people, people with learning disabilities or people with mental health needs. You can complete a placement in a variety of settings, including within Local Authorities or within independent organisations such as drug and alcohol services, housing agencies, domestic violence, advocacy, or other social care and welfare services. You will spend 170 days on placement, and complete 30 skills days which are integrated into modules throughout the course.

Modules Dissertation Modules Year 1 In the first half of Year 1 you'll prepare for your first statutory placement with a range of core modules which ensure you're ready for practice. You will explore the ethical, legal and policy contexts for social work, which will equip you to manage the competing pressures of social work practice. You will take the following modules: Social Work Practice Skills Social Work Across the Life Course - Part 1 Law and Policy for Social Work Social Work Across the Lifecourse Part 2: Knowledge into Practice Practice Learning Placement I The placement lasts for 70 days, after completion of a module designed to support your professional development. This counts towards the 200 days of practice which you must complete before you can register as a social worker. You will spend 70 days at a social work agency as well as Skills Days at the University, developing specialist techniques for working with individuals, families and groups. You will work with a qualified social work practice educator who will support and assess you throughout the placement. Your placement is a chance to develop and follow your own professional interests, with guidance from our academic staff. As part of your placement report you will complete written work which will evidence how you have brought the knowledge gained in the classroom into your professional practice. Year 2 As part of your second year you'll undertake your final statutory placement which will take 100 days. Throughout the year you'll work on your Masters dissertation. This is a 16,000-word extended essay based on your own original research. You'll work with your supervisor to choose a topic which interests you and design an empirical study or systematic literature review to explore your research question in depth. You will take the following modules: Applying Knowledge in Social Work Practice Learning Placement II This counts towards the 200 days of practice which you must complete before you can register as a social worker. You will spend 100 days at a social work agency, developing skills for career-long learning, self-care and leadership. Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning. Dissertation Research Dissertation Throughout Year 2, you'll work on your dissertation. This is a 16,000-word extended essay based on your own original research. You will work with your supervisor to choose a topic which interests you and design an empirical study or systematic literature review to explore your research question in depth. The dissertation will allow you to demonstrate your skills in research as well as applying insights from the taught modules and your placement experience. Examples of recent dissertation titles include: A case study of a community mental health team's experience using cognitive behaviour therapy for the treatment for adult depression Back to real social work? The implications for the practice of care managers following the introduction of individual budgets Domestic violence - whose problem is it? An analysis of multi-agency services and responses to domestic violence Can the voice of young people act as a pathway to positive outcomes? A critical analysis of emotional wellbeing during the transition from care in the UK