University of Kent s8

UNIVERSITY OF KENT

Programme Specification

Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she passes the programme. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each module can be found in the programme handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this specification is reviewed by the University and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
Degree and Programme Title BA (Hons) Social Work
1. Awarding Institution/Body / University of Kent
2. Teaching Institution / University of Kent
3. School responsible for management of the programme / School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research
4. Teaching Site / Medway Campus
5. Mode of Delivery / Full-time
6. Programme accredited by / Approved by the Health and Care Professions Council, August 2014
Endorsed by The College of Social Work, October 2014.
7. Final Award / BA (Hons), Fallbacks comprise: Cert, Dip, and Non Honours Degree in Social Studies
8. Programme / Social Work
9. UCAS Code (or other code) / L508
10. Credits/ECTS Value / 370 (ECTS: 185)
11. Study Level / Undergraduate
12. Relevant QAA subject benchmarking group(s) / Social Work 2008
13. Date of creation/revision / June 2003/Revised Nov 2010; Feb 2013; Jan 2014/January 2015
14. Intended Start Date of Delivery of this Programme / September 2016 with new entry tariff
15. Educational Aims of the Programme
The programme aims to:
1. Provide high-quality social work education, including admissions procedures and an assessment strategy and design, that meet:
a. The Standards of Education and Training set out by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC 2012)
b. The Standards of Proficiency required for registration as a qualified social worker with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC SoPs; SETs 4.1; 6.1)
c. The outcome statements for qualifying education in relation to the Professional Capabilities Framework (The College of Social Work)
d. Expectations about standards for the award of the bachelor’s degree in social work as set out in the Subject Benchmark Statement for Social Work (QAA 2008)
2. Deliver research-led social work education to a diverse student population which will equip students with the knowledge, skills, confidence and critical understanding necessary to practise social work in complex and demanding environments.
3. Provide social work education which emphasises the importance of social work as a moral activity involving “the study, application of and reflection upon ethical principles” SB4.6; ensure that students understand the implications of the HCPC’s standards of conduct, performance and ethics HCPC SETs 2012: 4.5
4. Enable students to “learn to become to become accountable, reflective, critical and evaluative” SB4.7 and support and develop autonomous and reflective thinking HCPC SETs 4.6
5. Enable students to “acquire, critically evaluate, apply, and integrate knowledge and understanding” in the specified core areas of study SB5.1 and to integrate theory and practice effectively HCPC SETs 4.3
6. Promote “the development of skills that may be of value in many situations, (e.g. analytical thinking, building relationships, working as a member of an organisation, intervention, evaluation and reflection)” SB5.2.
7. Deliver social work education that is relevant and up-to-date and which encourages creativity, evidence-based and research-informed practice HCPC SETs 4.4; 4.7
8. Deliver an effective ‘process curriculum’ in terms of how content is taught, paying close attention to the involvement of service users and carers, practitioners, modelling anti-oppressive and anti-discriminatory practice and confident professional identity TCSW edref4
9. Maintain and enhance partnerships with regional employers and other stakeholders in order to: secure the supply of appropriate practice placements and suitably qualified practitioners; exchange ideas concerning the content of the qualifying programme; lead at strategic level (TCSW)
10. To provide teaching, learning and assessment across the full range of knowledge and skills defined by TCSW PCF, HCPC SoP and SETs, and SB (see section 16 below) to allow students to undertake specific learning and assessment in key areas.
16 Programme Outcomes
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas. The programme outcomes have references to the following:
· The College of Social Work The Professional Capabilities Framework London: TCSW
· Health and Care Professions Council (2012) Standards of Education and Training, London: HCPC
· Health and Care Professions Council (2012) Standards of Proficiency: Social Workers in England, London: HCPC
· Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (2008) Subject Benchmark Statement for Social Work London: QAA

A. Knowledge and Understanding of:

1. Social work services, service users and carers SB5.1.1; the service delivery context SB5.1.2; and the nature of social work practice SB5.1.5

2. Critical knowledge of theories and models for social work intervention with individuals, families, groups and communities, and the methods derived from them PCF5.8; SB5.1.4; SoP13.4.

3. The nature, definition, development and application of relevant values and philosophical ethical principles SB5.1.3; SoP13.4

4. The principles of rights, justice and economic well-being and their significance for social work practice PCF4

5. The relevance of research from psychological, environmental, sociological, economic and physiological perspectives for understanding the impact of a range of factors on personal and social development and functioning SoP 13.4; PCF5.4 including spiritual and cultural factors PCF5

6. Human growth and development across the lifespan including mental health, disability and needs arising from age-related ill health and disadvantage PCF5.3; SoP13.4

7. The legal and policy framework for social work practice with individuals, families, groups and communities SoP 13 4 including critical understanding of the scope for professional judgement PCF5.2

8. The impact of injustice, social inequalities, policies and other issues which affect the demand for social work services SoP13.4

9. Concepts of participation, advocacy, empowerment, partnership working, including working with service users and carers, and information sharing across professional disciplines and agencies SoP13.4

10. The relevance of sociological perspectives to understanding societal and structural influences on human behaviour SoP 13.4

Teaching/learning and assessment methods and strategies used to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated

Lectures, seminars and workshops including use of selected case material, group and individual presentations, exercises and role-play/simulations, video work, and individual guided study. Electronic resources via Moodle.

Assessed coursework including essays, video/DVD work and presentations.

Assessed practice across 30 skills days largely at University and two practice placements, one of 70 days and one of 100 days.

Practice Summaries link evidence of practice to theory, values, analysis and reflection.

Skills and Other Attributes

B. Intellectual Skills:

1. A developed capacity for the critical evaluation of knowledge and evidence from a range of sources including empirical research SB7.3

2. An ability to use research and inquiry techniques with reflective awareness, to collect, analyse and interpret relevant information SB7.3

3. Ability to practise as an autonomous professional, exercising their own professional judgement SoP4; exercise autonomy and initiative in individual decision-making SB7.4

4. Awareness of the impact of culture, equality and diversity on practice SoP5

5. Ability to reflect on and review practice SoP11; incorporating appraisal of previous learning into future learning and practice SB7.3

6. Understanding of the key concepts of the knowledge base relevant to their profession SoP13

7. Acknowledgement and understanding of the potential and limitations of social work as a practice-based discipline to effect individual and social change SB7.3

Teaching/learning and assessment methods and strategies used to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated

Assessed coursework including essays, video/DVD work and presentations.

Assessed practice across 30 skills days largely at University and two practice placements, one of 70 days and one of 100 days.

Practice Summaries link evidence of practice to theory, values, analysis and reflection.

C. Subject-specific Skills:

1. Ability to draw on appropriate knowledge and skills to inform practice SoP14; using knowledge and understanding in an integrated way in specific practice contexts and to engage in effective relationships with service users and carers SB7.3

2. Ability to practise safely and effectively within their scope of practice SoP1 applying creatively a repertoire of core skills SB7.4

3. Ability to acquire and integrate skills in problem-solving including: managing problem solving activities; gathering information; analysis and synthesis; and intervention and evaluation SB5.5

4. Ability to practise within the legal and ethical boundaries of their profession SoP2; integrate clear understanding of ethical issues and codes of values in practice SB7.4

5. Ability to maintain fitness to practise SoP3

6. Ability to practise in an anti-discriminatory and non-oppressive manner SoP 6

7. Ability to maintain confidentiality SoP 7 and maintain records appropriately SoP10

8. Ability to assure the quality of their practice SoP12; demonstrate habits of critical reflection on their performance and take responsibility for modifying action in light of this SB7.4

Teaching/learning and assessment methods and strategies used to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated

Assessed coursework including essays, video/DVD work and presentations.

Assessed practice across 30 skills days largely at University and two practice placements, one of 70 days and one of 100 days.

Practice Summaries link evidence of practice to theory, values, analysis and reflection.

D. Transferable Skills:

1. Ability to communicate effectively to an advanced level SB5.6; SoP8

2. Ability to apply I.T. and numerical skills SB5.9

3. Problem solving skills, including managing problem-solving activities, gathering information, analysis and synthesis, intervention and evaluation SB5.5

4. Ability to work effectively and appropriately with others, including challenging others where necessary SB5.7; SoP9

5. Skills in personal and professional development including managing uncertainty, change and stress; critical and effective use of research SB5.8

Teaching/learning and assessment methods and strategies used to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated

Assessed coursework including essays, video/DVD work and presentations.

Assessed practice across 30 skills days largely at University and two practice placements, one of 70 days and one of 100 days.

Practice Summaries link evidence of practice to theory, values, analysis and reflection

For information on which modules provide which skills, see the module mapping attached.
17 Programme Structures and Requirements, Levels, Modules, Credits and Awards
This programme is studied over three years full-time. The BA (Hons) Social Work is an applied degree that offers successful graduates eligibility to apply for professional registration as social workers (with the HCPC) with all the responsibilities to service users, employer agencies and the wider community that this role entails. The teaching of theoretical knowledge, skills and values is complemented by teaching about their application in practice. All teaching and learning emphasises the importance of partnership with service users and carers and inter-agency and inter-disciplinary work. Teaching is regularly updated in the light of developments in legislation, policy, social work training and best practice.
All students are required to follow the HCPC Guidance on conduct and ethics for students. Breaches of these are a serious matter that can lead to a student’s studies being curtailed. At any stage students can be required to terminate their studies through the University’s Fitness to Practise Procedures: http://www.kent.ac.uk/teaching/qa/regulations/taught/fitnesstopractice.html
A particular feature of the social work programme in the University is the involvement of service users and carers. A group called The Partnership Initiative (made up of service users and carers) facilitates service user involvement in the recruitment and selection of students, the design and delivery of the programme, research, teaching and providing feedback on assessed work. The Partnership Initiative also has representation on the programme’s Board of Studies. The programme also has active involvement in teaching and learning of practitioners from a variety of social work settings; something which is essential to keeping the programme up-to-date and relevant for students’ learning needs.
Assessment within the programme is based on academic coursework and on evidence from portfolios created during each of the two periods of assessed practice. Assessment is cumulative and enables learners and teachers to monitor progress incrementally. Students’ achievements in terms of required standards are regularly assessed. All successful students will have been assessed and met all required standards before being awarded the BA (Hons) Social Work. The content, structure and delivery of the programme enables social work students to demonstrate that they have met the requirements of the TCSW Professional Capabilities Framework for qualifying level and the HCPC Standards of Proficiency for Social Workers in England, and are consistent with the Social Work Benchmark Statement. Successful graduates will be eligible to apply for registration as professional social workers with the Health and Care Professions Council at the end of the programme. Registration with the HCPC is a prerequisite for working as a social worker in England, which is now a title protected in law. Successful completion of the programme does not automatically lead to registration.
The programme is divided into three stages, each stage comprising modules to a total of 120 credits, with the exception of Stage 1 which will comprise 130 credits as it also involves a readiness to practise assessment for which students will be awarded 10 credits. Students must successfully complete each module in order to be awarded the specified number of credits for that module. One credit normally corresponds to approximately ten hours of 'learning time' (including all classes and all private study and research).Thus obtaining 120 credits in an academic stage requires a minimum of 1,200 hours of overall learning time. For further information on modules and credits refer to the Credit Framework at http://www.kent.ac.uk/teaching/qa/credit-framework/creditinfo.html. In the case of the practice placement modules (i.e. Practice Placements 1 and 2) this ratio differs slightly due to the professional practice requirements of the programme. It should also be noted that practice learning time is also supported by 30 days of Skills Development throughout the programme aimed at equipping students for practice. These days are covered in more detail below.