This programme will develop your in-depth knowledge and understanding of a specialist area of social work, and help you to apply this knowledge in practice. You will learn to think critically about your own practice in the context of the General Social Care Council codes of practice including the embedded values, national and international codes of professional ethics and the principles of diversity, equality and social inclusion in a wide range of situations, including those associated with inter-agency and inter-professional work.The programme follows two pathways: Adults and Children and familiesEntry RequirementsRecognised Social Work qualification (CSS, CQSW or DipSW) with a minimum of 240 credits or equivalent. Current employment in direct practice as a social worker and registration with the General Social Care Council. Candidates must provide satisfactory evidence that they are: suitable for post-qualification education; able to work directly with service users including those from different backgrounds, of different ages, and with different needs; likely to benefit from the programme; and capable of meeting the assessment requirements. All candidates must be nominated and supported by their employing agency, which will undertake to provide support and appropriate learning opportunities. Applicants with other qualifications and experience will be considered on an individual basis. APL (Accreditation of Prior learning) will be applied to credits gained on social work qualification courses, and considered on an individual basis for those who have already completed parts of the previous Post Qualifying Award in Social Work. The University will apply a maximum to the number of credits for which APL will be granted. Successful applicants will not be permitted to register for the BA programme until they have gained the credits for the appropriate Consolidation module as Associate students or have satisfied APL requirements for this module.Course AimsThe course aims to develop your in-depth knowledge and understanding of a specialist area of social work, and enable you to apply this knowledge in practice. You will learn to think critically about your own practice in the context of the General Social Care Council's codes of practice including the embedded values, national and international codes of professional ethics and the principles of diversity, equality and social inclusion in a wide range of situations, including those associated with inter-agency and inter-professional work. The programme covers all the units of the National Occupational Standards for Social Work in direct work with users of social care services and carers. It draws on knowledge and understanding of service users' and carers' issues to actively contribute to strategies and practice which promote service users' and carers' rights and participation in line with the goals of choice, independence and empowerment. Using theories, models and relevant up-to-date research, you will learn to manage your own work effectively and demonstrate a capacity to plan for, and respond to, change in organisational, inter-organisational and team contexts. Course ContentCore ModulesAdults PathwayCritical Perspectives on Assessment and Direct Work with Adults (15 credits) Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults, Critical Decisions in Work with Adults: Law, Policy and Practice (15 credits) Working Together to Promote Independence, Well Being and Choice: Critical Perspectives on Multi-agency Working (15 credits) Assessment of Specialist Practice (15 credits) Enabling The Learning and Assessment of Others Research Project (30 credits)Children and FamiliesCritical Perspectives on Direct Work with Vulnerable Children, Young People and Families (15 credits) Safeguarding Children, Critical Decisions in Child Care: Law, Policy and Practice Working Together to Safeguard Children: Critical Perspectives in Multi- agency working (15 credits) Assessment of Specialist Practice (15 credits) Enabling The Learning and Assessment of Others (15 credits) Research Project (30 credits) A total of 90 credits are required for the award of the Graduate Certificate in Specialist Social Work A total of 120 credits are required for the award of the BA Specialist Social Work.Teaching and LearningLectures Small group and large group seminar discussions Role play Videos followed by discussion Case discussions Practice Assessment Tutorial support Online e-learning Personal study involving directed reading and assignment preparation Supervision by line managerAssessmentA critical career review; a case study; practice assessments; research project.