Professional Education and Training in Human Services PgDip/MA

This course provides structured continuing professional development for those working in professional education and training in human services (PETHS). Social workers may achieve GSCC Post-Qualifying Higher Specialist and Advanced level qualifications alongside a PgDip or MA.

The focus at PgDip level is on the knowledge and skills needed to make complex judgements and discharge high levels of responsibility in PETHS, the co-ordination of services and the management of risk. The focus at MA level is on the knowledge and skills required for professional leadership and improvement of services.

What will you study?

The course puts a strong emphasis on developing your critical appraisal of research evidence and exploring ethical frameworks.

You will also develop the professional practice skills needed to work in PETHS. These include team work and inter-professional practice; supporting and managing others; and leaderships skills.

Many of our staff in the Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences are research active, often in partnership with NHS Trusts. This ensures they are in touch with the latest thinking and bring best practice to your studies.
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The course offers a wide range of option modules so you can tailor it to your own professional requirements. Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list.

Registered social workers must complete the Higher Specialist level before progressing to Advanced level.

Modules

• PETHS in Context: Law, Policy and Ethics

• PETHS in Context: Law, Policy and Ethics

  As a professional educator, you need to be able to make an informed critique of the policy context so that you can respond proactively to new developments and emerging learning needs.

  This core module examines the policy, ethical and legal context of professional education and training. It critically appraises relevant research, theoretical models and public policies, from local, national, European and international perspectives.

  You will discuss and apply frameworks to analyse approaches to developing learning organisations, including:

  • workforce planning and development;
  • the management of limited resources; and
  • the creative development of flexible solutions to meeting education and training needs.

  You will also cover aspects of employment law relevant to the management of people in a training context.

  
   
• Psychology of Teaching and Learning

• Psychology of Teaching and Learning

  This core module looks at the academic and research literature supporting both:

  • methodological approaches to the study of the psychology of teaching and learning; and
  • the intellectual bases of professional work in practice/professional education.

  You will:

  • analyse the role of the reflective professional/practice educator to organisational improvement;
  • generate a framework for thinking about how different learning theories relate one to another;
  • explore the difficulties of identifying critical factors in the learning process and issues surrounding impediments to learning;
  • look at the challenges associated with the learning of attitudes and values; and
  • discuss the processes associated with attitude change.

  You will analyse and use your own professional practice to inform your understanding.

  
   
• Power, Risk and Decision Making in Contemporary Partnership Contexts and Integrated Services

• Power, Risk and Decision Making in Contemporary Partnership Contexts and Integrated Services

  This module is designed to promote effective inter-professional decision making and collaboration when:

  • there is a context of risk, uncertainty, conflict and contradiction;
  • there are complex challenges; and
  • there is a need to make informed and balanced judgements.

  It will develop your ability to drive and manage complex change processes working across organisational, sectoral and professional boundaries. It explores:

  • the policy, structural, service, regulatory, ethical, power and personal dimensions of working with others;
  • how to apply these to your sphere of work; and
  • the benefits and challenges associated with collaborative decision making in practice.
  
   
• Portfolio: Competence in Higher Specialist Social Work

• Portfolio: Competence in Higher Specialist Social Work

  This module is for students taking the GSCC Higher Specialist Level at PgDip stage. We introduce it at the beginning of your programme of study and it underpins all PgDip level study. You normally complete the module at the end of the PgDip stage.

  It requires assessment of competence in practice. You will have to demonstrate that you have progressed from the specialist practice level ('competence in depth') at the start of the programme to higher specialist level ('substantially enhanced level').

  You will also have to evidence your achievement of the practice requirements of Higher Specialist Social work. Mentoring and guidance will help you decide on the most appropriate programme of study.

  
   
• Option modules

• Option modules

  You take three option modules tailored to your particular field of professional education and training; or two if you taking the GSCC Higher Specialist Level at PgDip stage (in which case you also take the portfolio module). These may include:

  • Practice Teaching: These two modules (offered at masters level) equip you to take on full responsibility for teaching and assessing social work students on practice placements. You also contribute to social work education at the University or in your own agency.
  • Mentoring and Advanced Assessment of Professional Practice: This module equips you to mentor and assess colleagues at post-qualifying levels.
  • Planning and Delivery of Training: You will identify and analyse learning and development needs that might be met through training. The module includes the development, delivery and evaluation of at least two training events in an agency setting.
  • Supervision of Professional Practice: This module examines the role of supervision in the professional development of others.
  • Brokerage and Providing Learning Advise to Organisations and Individuals: This module equips those in learning brokerage and/or consultancy roles to provide an effective professional service to both individuals and organisations. It also promotes critical debate and explores approaches to learning needs analysis at individual, group and organisational levels.

  You can also take up to two free-choice modules. These may include:

  • Research Informed Practice In Mental Health;
  • Mental Health Law;
  • Critical Practice In Rehabilitation;
  • Assessment for Safeguarding Health and Promoting Child Wellbeing; and
  • Professional Responses to Domestic Violence and Abuse.

  Please note that option modules require the enrolment of a minimum number of students and you may therefore need to be flexible in your choice of modules.

  
   
• Research Methods (MA only)
• Dissertation OR Advanced Practice Project (MA only)

The Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences teaches this course.

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Learn more about the facilities available to you as a student of this course.

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The range of events and lectures in the Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences enhances your studies and adds an extra perspective to your learning.
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