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The University offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in social work successful completion of which enables students to use the title “social worker” and qualifies them for admission to the register of professional social workers in England held by Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). The MA Social Work, in addition to fulfilling the professional requirements, provides skills in research appreciation and analytical skills expected at Masters level.
Keele has a well-established history of providing social work education and has consistently been ranked as one of the top providers of social work education. Social Work at Keele has been ranked 4th in the country by Guardian University Guide 2014.
Social work education at Keele is embedded in strong collaborative partnerships with local employers which bring richness and diversity to the educational experience. Graduates from the MA programme have consistently demonstrated high rates of progression into relevant employment.
Social Work at Keele is part of the highly successful School of Public Policy and Professional Practice: while social work research is located in the Research Institute for Social Sciences. In RAE 2008, 95% of research in the Institute was judged to be of international quality.
Social work research at Keele is grounded in an interdisciplinary approach and focused upon engagement with the realities of professional practice at local, national and international levels. Current themes include the study of ageing populations, poverty and social exclusion, young people and youth policy, social relationships, globalisation trends and inter-professional practice and organisations.
Social work academics at Keele have published widely and regularly present their work at international and national conferences. Social work academics @Keele have a range of international collaborations in Finland, China, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Italy, Norway and Turkey. Scholars from these countries provide occasional lectures and workshops at Keele to promote understanding about social work in an international context.
The social work team are strongly committed to dissemination of research and the development of research skills and capacity among practitioners. In line with this commitment, they are active participants, both locally and nationally, in the Making Research Count initiative.
We also offer a Professional Doctorate in Social Work for registered social work practitioners. More information is available at the following links:
The course prepares students at postgraduate level for employment as professionally qualified social workers and lays the foundation for their continuing professional development. It also provides an academically rigorous education at Masters Level, focusing on critical, research and evaluative skills. In order to qualify, students will need to demonstrate the integration of knowledge, values and skills through academic study and assessed practice. In order to satisfy the professional requirements for registration as a social worker, all social work students (undergraduate and postgraduate) must be able to demonstrate knowledge, understanding, critical evaluation and practice application of the following:
- Principles, values and ethics, theories, models and methods
- Legislation and policy/social work services and service users
- Organisational/service delivery context
- Practice
The academic component of the course aims at the integration of traditional academic disciplines such as sociology, psychology and social policy in a thematic approach. We also focus on research evaluation throughout the programme, appropriate to Masters Level study.
Applicants must have a minimum 2.1 honours degree. A professional/ postgraduate relevant qualification may be considered as an equivalent if the candidate can also demonstrate relevant experience in a social care setting. In addition, the HCPC requires that we admit only students who have English Language and Maths GCSE Grade C and above or equivalent, have a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) (Enhanced and Barred Lists) check, have satisfied health checks by student self-declaration and Occupational Health referral where appropriate, and in all other respects meet the HCPC requirements for registration. Admission to the course is via UCAS application form followed by a written test and interview. All candidates are expected to have some general knowledge of social services and broad social problems. All applicants must confirm prior to interview/offer decision making that they have the ability to use basic IT facilities, including word processing, internet browsing and the use of email. It is important that candidates demonstrate awareness of the field they are seeking to enter. Although it is not a requirement for entry, relevant experience is recommended.
This professional qualifying programme continues for two full calendar years (24 months) full-time, starting in September. Teaching methods include seminars, lectures, workshops and skills workshops employing a range of methods. All parts of the course are compulsory. The programme incorporates the following elements:
- 180 Masters Level credits, of which 60 credits are awarded on the basis of a dissertation and 120 credits through taught modules – these are to be passed at Masters Level, with a pass mark of 50%, for the award of MA
- Assessment in line with the National Occupational Standards for Social Work comprising practice learning of 170 days and practice associated assignments which are to be passed at Masters level with a pass mark of 50%
- The core curriculum content as specified by the College of Social Work
- Compliance with QAA benchmark statement for social work
In Year 1 of the course students must demonstrate their suitability for professional training in order to progress to the next stage of the award.
Year 1 introduces students to the general principles of social work, while Year 2 aims to develop analytical, research and evaluation skills. Each year includes practice learning in a social work setting.
Year One introduces students to the general principles of social work, and by building on social science knowledge and understanding and skills, aims to enable students to further develop systematic knowledge, critical awareness, new insights and skills in relation to: the social context of social work; social work values and ethics; the legal system; the life course; social work with adults; social work with children and families; interpersonal communication and professional practice. Students will undertake 70 days assessed practice placement in a social work setting.
Year Two provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate 'research awareness'. Analytical, research and evaluation skills will be developed in relation to: reflective practice; social work research; social work with adults; social work with children and families; and social work practice. Students will develop knowledge of methodologies, be able to critique those methodologies and where appropriate, propose new hypotheses. In order to demonstrate understanding of techniques applicable to their own advanced scholarship, students are required to complete a dissertation of 15,000 words. Students will undertake 100 days assessed practice placement in a social work setting.
Year 1 Taught Modules (Assessed at Masters Level (credits in brackets) – total 70 Level 4 credits)
- Power and discrimination (10)
- Introduction to legal processes (10)
- Social work theory and methods 1 (10)
- Area of practice 1: children and families (15)
- Area of practice 1: adults (social science, law, policy and practice) (15)
- Life course development (10)
- Personal and Professional Development (70 days practice learning and associated assignments)
- Taught element (interpersonal skills, preparation for practice learning)
Year 2 Taught Modules (Assessed at Masters Level (credits in brackets) – total 50 Level 4 credits)
- Social work theory and methods 2 (10)
- Social work research (10)
- Area of practice 2: children and families (law, disability, mental health, inter-professional working, risk) (15)
- Area of practice 2: adults (law, disability, mental health, inter-professional working, risk) (15)
- Personal and Professional Development (100 days practice learning and associated assignments)
Dissertation
- 15,000 word dissertation (60 Level 4 credits)
- Taught element (interpersonal skills, preparation for practice learning)
Practice Learning Arrangements
There are two full-time block practice placements, one in each year. They are arranged in a wide variety of statutory and voluntary agencies under approved practice teachers and with regular tutorial contact. They are usually within a radius of 50 miles of Keele, in Staffordshire, Shropshire, Cheshire and the West Midlands.
Students are required to pass written assignments including essays and case studies, and examinations, together with a dissertation. They also have to reach a satisfactory level of competence in relation to the National Occupational Standards for Social Work.
Teaching Philosophy
The social work education team's approach to higher education attempts to apply the basic assumptions of 'andragogy' (adult education, as opposed to 'pedagogy' literally 'the education of children'), to the development of the curriculum, the learning methods and the types of assessment this involves and the recognition that adults learn in different ways and are performance-centred in their orientation to learning.
We strive to be creative in using a range of teaching and learning methods which offer a variety of opportunities to engage with the curriculum. The experiential techniques of discussion and problem-solving provide opportunities for those students with extensive practical experience to use and recognise the value of their existing knowledge. All students are assigned a personal tutor whose primary duty is to support academic and practical learning, hold tutorials by appointment and take regular tutor group meetings.
A central feature of this approach is the recognition that students are responsible for their own learning. The role of the lecturing staff is to facilitate learning through:
playing a part in creating a stimulating and supportive atmosphere conducive to learning;
providing information and a critical perspective on established knowledge;
providing advice and guidance to individuals or groups;
introducing and supervising learning exercises - discussion, video, skill rehearsal etc;
chairing group discussions and promoting debate;
enhancing positive group interactions and intervening in negative ones, where necessary offering constructive critical comment on written work
Effective learning involves a partnership in which students:
recognise the active nature of learning (learning involves more than passively absorbing information);
take advantage of the learning opportunities offered;
make a contribution to discussions, as and when required;
do not interfere with the learning of others;
manage their own study time as effectively as possible;
review critically their own learning in order to seek to maximise progress;
acknowledge the need to ask for support at times (needing help is not a sign of weakness);
are prepared to change - personal and professional development involves more than acquiring knowledge and so we must be willing to broaden our perspective on experience;
are prepare to 'unlearn' - developing anti-discriminatory practice involves challenging previously unquestioned assumptions.
Teaching Methods
We recognise that different people learn in different ways and so we use a variety of methods to ensure that everyone has ample opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills. These methods include:
Lectures - which are used to introduce new material and provide summaries of key issues. They often incorporate participative exercises and encourage active discussion
Group discussions - typically in small informal groups of 6-8 students these sessions are likely to focus on a case-study or a question to stimulate discussion and exchange of ideas
Skills workshops - are small group sessions provided by experienced practitioners in which basic skills such as interviewing and record keeping are developed
Skills rehearsals - these typically involve very small groups of 2, 3 or 4 students undertaking short role plays to practice particular skills
Seminars - these are small to medium-sized groups of 6 to 10 students who meet with a tutor to focus on a particular topic. Typically, students are required to read beforehand or present material for discussion
Computer-aided learning and information technology - all students are provided with email accounts and have access to the University network, for information search and access to e-learning materials and electronic journals.
Directed study - tutors may require students to access and read materials in non-timetabled course hours to support learning
Private study - a proportion of study time is devoted to self-directed study (reading, note-taking, essay preparation etc).
Self-help groups - students are encouraged to learn from each other and we encourage the formation of informal self-help groups that also provide valuable peer support
Direct practice - all students are required to complete 170 days of assessed practice learning in an appropriate placement setting where they will be supported in their learning by a designated practice teacher
Tutorials - all students are allocated a personal tutor who they will meet in both individual and group tutorials to provide individual support, assist learning and encourage reflection upon their education and practice.
Social Work Bursaries is a service supplied by the NHS Business Services Authority. They administer bursaries for social work students on behalf of the Department of Health.
