Social Work Practice Education PG Award

Teaching

A blended learning approach will be adopted, using both face-to-face teaching and online seminars. Online learning will provided via Blackboard, using Collaborate, an interactive learning tool, Camtasia pre-recorded video lectures and discussion boards. Modules will include lectures, seminars and tutorials that are intended to enable the application of learning through discussion and small group activities. You will have the opportunity to learn in partnership with people with lived experience through the University’s IMPACT group. All students will be allocated a named Personal Academic Tutor.

The University places emphasis on enabling students to develop independent learning capabilities that will equip them for continued professional learning and development and future employment, as well as academic achievement. A mixture of independent study, teaching and academic support from Student Services and Library Services, and also the Personal Academic Tutoring system enables students to reflect on progress and build up a profile of skills, achievements and experiences that will help them to flourish and besuccessful. Students will be assessed by way of essays and portfolios (Pebblepad) which provide the opportunity for the demonstration of learning in practice. 

Contact time

Typically, class contact time will be structured around:

• 4 full-day classroom-based sessions per module
• 12 x 1-hour online seminars where students will have an opportunity to gain peer and tutor support in relation to placement issues, apply theory to practice and gain support with assignments 

Independent study

In addition to the contact time, you are expected to undertake around 6 hours of personal self-study per week for the 12 weeks of the module. Typically, this will involve guided independent learning delivered via Blackboard and guided reading.

Independent learning is supported by a range of excellent learning facilities, including the Hive and library resources, the virtual learning environment, and extensive electronic learning resources

Duration

This is a part time programme. To complete the full PG Award we anticipate completion taking 2 years.

Timetables

Timetables are normally available one month before registration. Please note that whilst we try to be as student friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week; and some classes can be scheduled in the evenings.

Teaching staff

You will be taught by a teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. The team includes Senior Lecturers and service users and carers. In addition, you will receive mentoring and support in practice by someone who is a Practice Educator Professional (PEPS 2).

Teaching is informed by research and consultancy, and 100% of university lecturers on the course have a higher education teaching qualification or are Fellows of the Higher Education Academy. 

Assessment

The course provides opportunities to test understanding and learning informally through the completion of practice or ‘formative’ assignments.

For both modules, the course learning outcomes are achieved through the production of a Pebblepad portfolio which is assessed on a pass/fail basis and an essay which is graded.

Recognising that this programme assesses your development alongside your practice, Pebblepad portfolios are one form of assessment used. Pebblepad portfolios will be assessed by a suitably qualified and experienced social worker as defined in the Practice Educator Professional Standards. Tasks completed within the Pebblepad portfolio give you the opportunity to demonstrate your competencies with the Practice Educator Professional PEPS domains. Tasks may include uploading supervision notes, devising induction programmes and reflecting on direct observations. In addition, modules will be assessed by means of reflective essays.

You must have taught, supervised and assessed at least two different social work learners, at least one of which must be at pre-qualification level, including primary responsibility for at least one before completing PEPS 2. 

Programme specification

For comprehensive details on the aims and intended learning outcomes of the course, and the means by which these are achieved through learning, teaching and assessment, please download the latest programme specification document.