Professional Studies in Community Care PgDip/MA

This course is designed for social workers who have already completed Specialist level or have substantial experience and want to develop professionally. It allows you to achieve GSCC Post-Qualifying Higher Specialist and Advanced level qualifications alongside a PgDip or MA. The course is also ideal for other professionals working in community care who want to develop professionally at masters level.

The focus at Higher Specialist (PgDip) level is on the knowledge and skills needed to make complex judgements and discharge high levels of responsibility for the co-ordination of social support and the management of risk. The focus at Advanced (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 with adults. 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

• 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.
  
   
• Option modules

• Option modules

  You take five option modules tailored to your particular field of practice in community care; or four if you taking the GSCC Higher Specialist Level at PgDip stage (in which case you also take the portfolio module). These may include:

  • Adulthood, Development and Transitions;
  • Issues and Challenges of an Ageing Population: Working with Older People;
  • International Social Work: Models and Practice;
  • Substance Misuse Through the Life Stages; and
  • Professional Responses to Domestic Violence and Abuse.

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

  • Psychology of Teaching and Learning;
  • Policy and Practice in Rehabilitation;
  • Challenges and Concepts in Mental Health;
  • Understanding Childhood Experience for Safeguarding Health and Promoting Wellbeing; and
  • Developing Specialist Roles for Integrated Services with Children and Families.

  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.

  
   
• 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.

  
   
• 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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