£13,500 (INT)
Overview
The Post Graduate Diploma in Social Work is an academic and professional qualification where you will experience an integration of practice and research. Social workers have a key role in working with other professionals to offer support to some of society's most vulnerable citizens.
Why study PGDip Social Work at Middlesex University?
This innovative and accelerated postgraduate social work course offers the opportunity to engage with an intensive and immersive programme of teaching and learning integrating practice placements. Over the duration of the programme, you will develop into a competent and enthusiastic social work practitioner ready to engage with the rigours of this dynamic and exciting profession.
We have excellent relationships with local employers through our long standing stakeholder group and our new Teaching Partnership. As a result, some of your teaching with be co-delivered by practising social workers and service users.
This programme offers an accelerated route to becoming a professional social worker for highly motivated recent graduates or for career changers looking for new challenges and opportunities. You will be able to develop into an excellent and valued social worker with the capacity to work in all statutory social work settings and in a wide variety of private and voluntary workplaces in the UK and abroad. You will also be able to take advantage of high quality placements in both adult and children’s services including a final 100 day placement in a statutory social work setting.
Course highlights
- You will benefit from high levels of tutor contact time through extended teaching sessions, interactive workshop style seminars and e-learning resources
- You will be taught by staff from within our Department of Mental Health, Social Work and Integrative Medicine, where prominent and pioneering research projects in the disciplines of social work and mental health is undertaken
- As a student of this course you'll receive a free electronic textbook for every module, free printing and copying, 24 hour library services and access to a range of other valued resources
Course content
What will you study on PGDip Social Work?
You will be studying a range of social work theories and will learn the skills to apply these in different practice contexts. This will include psychosocial perspectives, sociology, psychology and human development. There will be a focus on relationship based practice as well as systemic theories. You will study relevant aspects of legislation and the application of these in practice. The curriculum is mapped against the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) Standards of Proficiency (SoPs) and the Knowledge and Skills Statements (KSS) for both children and adults.
What will you gain?
You will undertake extensive skills training as part of your readiness for direct practice learning. This will include skills such as use of self, communication, managing conflict and a range of interventions. These will be applied in practice and greatly enhanced and developed throughout your two placements. In your final year you will undertake your dissertation, applying research skills and knowledge.
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Modules
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Social Work Theory and Readiness for Direct Practice (30 credits) - Compulsory
This module aims to provide you with the core skills and knowledge to undertake practice competently and safely for your first practice placement. Subjects covered will include communication skills, use of self, and various Social Work interventions. Theories such as systems theory, social learning theory, attachment and many others will also be explored.
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Law and Advanced Social Work Practice (30 credits) - Compulsory
In this module, you will explore the key legislation, guidance and case law relevant to Social Work practice and will learn how to apply this effectively. You will have the opportunity to apply your practice experience to your knowledge of Social Work theory and social policy.
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Understanding the Life Course (15 credits) - Compulsory
This module will explore the life course from birth through to adulthood and on to end of life care. This will include observations of children and of adults to support you in understanding child development and factors that impact on the adult life course such as disability, mental health and ageing.
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Social Work Research (15 credits) - Compulsory
This module will introduce you to social research methods. You will explore how these can be applied in social work research and consider how you yourself might apply these to your dissertation
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Practice Placements Module (30 credits) - Compulsory
You will be supervised to undertake two practice placements. The first of these will be 70 days and the second, which will be in a statutory Social Work setting, of 100 days. On these placements you will supervised and supported by a practice educator. You will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills you have learnt in practice with vulnerable adults, children and families.
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You can find more information about this course in the programme specification. Module and programme information is indicative and may be subject to change.
Teaching
How is the PGDip Social Work taught?
You will learn through research, reading and critical reflection, workshops, tutorials and class discussions. As part of the North London Social Work Teaching Partnership we have a range of academics delivering teaching as well as service users, carers and social work practitioners.
Due to the accelerated nature of the programme teaching blocks will be intensive and you can expect an immersive education experience. Holiday and study periods have been timetabled at regular intervals of the programme to ensure you can plan your studies. You should anticipate that the 14-month period of study will be focused and dedicated to your social work education. Please see below for an indicative programme flow chart. Please note that this is indicative only and dates are subject to change.
Term 1
- Sept 17 2018 - Dec 16 2018
Teaching block - Dec 17 2018 - Jan 2 2019
Christmas break - Jan 2 2019 - March 25 2019
70 day placement. Plus teaching and study leave (one week) - March 25 2019 - April 12 2019
Beginning of 100 day placement. Plus teaching
Term 2
- April 14 2019 - April 29 2019
Spring break - April 30 2019 - Aug 12 2019
Ongoing 100 day placement. Plus teaching - Aug 13 2019 - Aug 25 2019
Summer break - Aug 26 2019 - Oct 7 2019
End of 100 day placement. Plus teaching
Assessment
You will be assessed via a combination of formative and summative written assignments, group work, assessed role plays and reflective writing based on practice experience. Your practice will be assessed by your practice educator who will be supporting and supervising you throughout your placements. There are currently no examination assessments on the programme.
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
Careers
How can the PGDip Social Work support your career?
Our graduates have been successful in obtaining employment across a wide range of Social Work settings. Career prospects are excellent with 100% of our current MA Social Work graduates going on to employment within 6 months of graduation.
The combination of classroom-based teaching and practice learning on placement ensures you have the right mix of skills and knowledge to excel as a social worker upon graduation. Many of our graduates find employment with our placement partners, with neighbouring London boroughs and beyond.
Staff profiles
Dr Helen Hingley-Jones
Associate Professor and Programme Leader
Dr Hingley-Jones has worked for many years as a child and family social worker, particularly with disabled children and their families. She is an active researcher and is the Research Degrees Coordinator for the Department.
Dr Lucille Allain
Associate Professor and Director of Programmes for Social Work
Dr Allain has a number of years’ experience in child and family social work and has published a range of books and articles focused on social work practice with looked after children; in child safeguarding and in social work education.
Edd Carter
Senior Lecturer
Edd leads the Law and Advanced Social Work Practice module. He has extensive social work practice experience of working in both Mental Health and Learning Disabilities services .
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