Specialist Professional Studies in Community Care BA(Hons) top-up/Graduate Certificate/PgCert

This course is designed for social workers undertaking direct social work practice with adults. It develops your understanding of professional practice and meets the requirements of the GSCC Post-Qualifying Specialist Social Work with Adults.

The focus at Specialist level is on consolidating, extending and deepening your initial professional competence in a specialist context.

What will you study?

You start your studies by taking a Consolidation Module, the first module at Specialist level in the new GSCC Post-Qualifying framework for social work. You then choose whether to study to BA(Hons) top-up level, Graduate Certificate level or PgCert level.

You will cover topics related to specialist social work with adults. These include statutory duties, tasks and responsibilities in the context of GSCC codes of practice; the principles of social inclusion, diversity and equality of opportunity; and the social, psychological, cultural and bio-medical contexts of adulthood.

You will also develop the professional practice skills needed to work with adults and to enable others to learn in professional practice.

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.
Find out more...

Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list.

This course offers a wide range of option modules so you can tailor it to your own professional requirements.

BA(Hons) top-up modules

• Consolidation of Social Work Practice with Adults

• Consolidation of Social Work Practice with Adults

  This is normally the first module taken on the programme. It focuses on the integration of social work knowledge, values and research with practice with adults.

  The module is designed to be taken during the first year of practice after qualification. We deliver it collaboratively with employers and service users/carers.

  Students taking this module are expected to have regular supervision. Both your line manager and a mentor will offer support during the module. You will attend four mentoring sessions (normally three group sessions and one individual session).

  New employees will also be undertaking induction programmes in their agency and accessing training events designed to support new workers, as well attending four themed sessions at the University.

  The assessment for this module includes:

  • a learning and professional development review;
  • an analysis of two pieces of work undertaken by the student; and
  • practice verification and observation.

  Experienced workers may undertake this module on a 'fast-track' basis.

  
   
• Portfolio: Competence in Specialist Social Work Practice with Adults

• Portfolio: Competence in Specialist Social Work Practice with Adults

  This core module builds on work undertaken at the consolidation phase and aims to enable students to:

  • evidence progression in social work practice in the specialist context of social work practice with adults; and
  • appraise the effectiveness of their professional practice within theoretical and ethical frameworks.

  We deliver it in collaboration with employers and representatives of users of social work services and carers. The aim is to promote effective integration of employment and professional requirements. You will:

  • attend regular themed sessions at the University; and
  • work with your manager and mentor/assessor to develop your Specialist Practice Portfolio and reflective analyses of assessed practice.
  
   
• Adulthood, Development and Transitions

• Adulthood, Development and Transitions

  In this module you will:

  • critically analyse and apply theories of adulthood to the transitions and life stages that occur during adult life course development; and
  • critically evaluate strategies and methods to promote service users' and carers' wellbeing.

   

  
   
• Legal, Ethical and Policy Framework for Inter-Professional Decision- Making in Adult Services

• Legal, Ethical and Policy Framework for Inter-Professional Decision- Making in Adult Services

  This module helps you to:

  • critically assess and analyse legal, ethical and policy frameworks within adult services; and
  • consider their application within the context of decision-making in an inter-professional context.
  
   
• Option module

• Option module

  Available option modules may include:

  Creativity and Innovation in Service User and Carer Involvement - covering innovations in service user and carer involvement; and the values of participation and empowerment within health and social care services.

  Issues and Challenges of an Ageing Population: Working with Older People - covering health and social issues relating to ageing, plus issues such as ageism, capacity and risk, communication barriers, adult abuse and trans-cultural perspectives.

  Specialist Management Studies for Managers of Registered Services - addressing leadership and management styles, plus management processes within the legal and policy contexts of specific services.

  Substance Misuse Through the Life Stages - covering theories of assessment models in relation to service users with substance misuse issues, plus treatment options and models of relapse prevention.

  Professional Responses to Domestic Violence and Abuse - covering the skills needed to work with domestic violence and abuse; the roles of different professionals within this context; and models of intervention in 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 their choice of modules.

  
   
• Enabling Learning OR

• Enabling Learning OR

  This module equips you to act as a work-based supervisor alongside a practice teacher to contribute to the learning of a social work first degree student on placement. It enables you to develop and apply your understanding of learning theories in enabling your own and others' learning and development in professional practice.

  You will have to demonstrate skills in working with others to:

  • organise opportunities for the demonstration of assessed competence in practice;
  • enable learning and professional development in practice; and
  • contribute to the management of assessment of learners in practice.

  The assessment of this module includes:

  • direct observation;
  • assessment of work undertaken with a student; and
  • an evaluation the effectiveness of your own practice in enabling the learning and assessment of others using a relevant knowledge base, including an understanding of legal and policy contexts and appropriate research.
  
   
• Practice Teaching modules

• Practice Teaching modules

  These two modules (offered at masters level) equip you to take on full responsibility for teaching and assessing social work students on practice placement. You will also be required to contribute to social work education at the University or in your own agency.

  This well-established programme is particularly suitable for those who may have acted as a work-based supervisor in the past or know that their career interest is in social work education.

  
   
• Integrated Project

• Integrated Project

  This module, which completes the BA(Hons) award, allows you to study an area of individual interest in greater depth. You will demonstrate a fuller understanding of the role of research in professional practice by integrating themes explored throughout the programme from a range of different perspectives.

  
   

PgCert modules (registered social workers) and Graduate Certificate modules

• Consolidation of Social Work Practice with Adults

• Consolidation of Social Work Practice with Adults

  This is normally the first module taken on the programme. It focuses on the integration of social work knowledge, values and research with practice with adults.

  The module is designed to be taken during the first year of practice after qualification. We deliver it collaboratively with employers and service users/carers.

  Students taking this module are expected to have regular supervision. Both your line manager and a mentor will offer support during the module. You will attend four mentoring sessions (normally three group sessions and one individual session).

  New employees will also be undertaking induction programmes in their agency and accessing training events designed to support new workers, as well attending four themed sessions at the University.

  The assessment for this module includes:

  • a learning and professional development review;
  • an analysis of two pieces of work undertaken by the student; and
  • practice verification and observation.

  Experienced workers may undertake this module on a 'fast-track' basis.

  
   
• Portfolio: Competence in Specialist Social Work Practice with Adults

• Portfolio: Competence in Specialist Social Work Practice with Adults

  This core module builds on work undertaken at the consolidation phase and aims to enable students to:

  • evidence progression in social work practice in the specialist context of social work practice with adults; and
  • appraise the effectiveness of their professional practice within theoretical and ethical frameworks.

  We deliver it in collaboration with employers and representatives of users of social work services and carers. The aim is to promote effective integration of employment and professional requirements. You will:

  • attend regular themed sessions at the University; and
  • work with your manager and mentor/assessor to develop your Specialist Practice Portfolio and reflective analyses of assessed practice.
  
   
• Adulthood, Development and Transitions

• Adulthood, Development and Transitions

  In this module you will:

  • critically analyse and apply theories of adulthood to the transitions and life stages that occur during adult life course development; and
  • critically evaluate strategies and methods to promote service users' and carers' wellbeing.

   

  
   
• Legal, Ethical and Policy Framework for Inter-Professional Decision- Making in Adult Services

• Legal, Ethical and Policy Framework for Inter-Professional Decision- Making in Adult Services

  This module helps you to:

  • critically assess and analyse legal, ethical and policy frameworks within adult services; and
  • consider their application within the context of decision-making in an inter-professional context.
  
   
• Option module

• Option module

  Available option modules may include:

  Creativity and Innovation in Service User and Carer Involvement - covering innovations in service user and carer involvement; and the values of participation and empowerment within health and social care services.

  Issues and Challenges of an Ageing Population: Working with Older People - covering health and social issues relating to ageing, plus issues such as ageism, capacity and risk, communication barriers, adult abuse and trans-cultural perspectives.

  Specialist Management Studies for Managers of Registered Services - addressing leadership and management styles, plus management processes within the legal and policy contexts of specific services.

  Substance Misuse Through the Life Stages - covering theories of assessment models in relation to service users with substance misuse issues, plus treatment options and models of relapse prevention.

  Professional Responses to Domestic Violence and Abuse - covering the skills needed to work with domestic violence and abuse; the roles of different professionals within this context; and models of intervention in 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 their choice of modules.

  
   
• Enabling Learning OR

• Enabling Learning OR

  This module equips you to act as a work-based supervisor alongside a practice teacher to contribute to the learning of a social work first degree student on placement. It enables you to develop and apply your understanding of learning theories in enabling your own and others' learning and development in professional practice.

  You will have to demonstrate skills in working with others to:

  • organise opportunities for the demonstration of assessed competence in practice;
  • enable learning and professional development in practice; and
  • contribute to the management of assessment of learners in practice.

  The assessment of this module includes:

  • direct observation;
  • assessment of work undertaken with a student; and
  • an evaluation the effectiveness of your own practice in enabling the learning and assessment of others using a relevant knowledge base, including an understanding of legal and policy contexts and appropriate research.
  
   
• Practice Teaching modules

• Practice Teaching modules

  These two modules (offered at masters level) equip you to take on full responsibility for teaching and assessing social work students on practice placement. You will also be required to contribute to social work education at the University or in your own agency.

  This well-established programme is particularly suitable for those who may have acted as a work-based supervisor in the past or know that their career interest is in social work education.

  
   

PgCert modules (other professionals)

• Adulthood, Development and Transitions

• Adulthood, Development and Transitions

  In this module you will:

  • critically analyse and apply theories of adulthood to the transitions and life stages that occur during adult life course development; and
  • critically evaluate strategies and methods to promote service users' and carers' wellbeing.

   

  
   
• Legal, Ethical and Policy Framework for Inter-Professional Decision- Making in Adult Services

• Legal, Ethical and Policy Framework for Inter-Professional Decision- Making in Adult Services

  This module helps you to:

  • critically assess and analyse legal, ethical and policy frameworks within adult services; and
  • consider their application within the context of decision-making in an inter-professional context.
  
   
• Two option modules

• Two option modules

  Available option modules may include:

  Creativity and Innovation in Service User and Carer Involvement - covering innovations in service user and carer involvement; and the values of participation and empowerment within health and social care services.

  Issues and Challenges of an Ageing Population: Working with Older People - covering health and social issues relating to ageing, plus issues such as ageism, capacity and risk, communication barriers, adult abuse and trans-cultural perspectives.

  Specialist Management Studies for Managers of Registered Services - addressing leadership and management styles, plus management processes within the legal and policy contexts of specific services.

  Substance Misuse Through the Life Stages - covering theories of assessment models in relation to service users with substance misuse issues, plus treatment options and models of relapse prevention.

  Professional Responses to Domestic Violence and Abuse - covering the skills needed to work with domestic violence and abuse; the roles of different professionals within this context; and models of intervention in 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 their choice of modules.

  
   

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

Find out more...

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

Find out more...

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.
Find out more...