BA Social Work
About this course
Social work is a profession grounded in a commitment to human wellbeing, social justice, and the rights of individuals and communities. It involves working alongside people at some of the most difficult and complex points in their lives, including children at risk, families in crisis, adults with mental health difficulties, older people requiring support, and those affected by poverty, disability, or substance misuse. The discipline draws on psychology, sociology, law, and ethics to develop practitioners who can both understand the structural forces shaping people's circumstances and intervene effectively to support individuals through them. At London South Bank University this three-year full-time programme includes a foundation year, providing additional preparation for students who benefit from a supported route into the main degree. Throughout the degree you will be supported by a dedicated personal tutor and have access to specialist services including disability, dyslexia, and careers support. Social work education is distinctive in combining academic study with substantial practice placements, which means you will spend significant time working in real social work settings under professional supervision, building the practical competence and reflective skills that the profession requires. You will study child and adult social care law, human development, social policy, safeguarding, and the methods and values that underpin ethical practice. The programme prepares you for the Professional Capabilities Framework that governs qualified social workers in England. Graduating with a recognised social work degree leads directly to professional qualification as a social worker, opening careers in local authority children's and adult services, NHS trusts, schools, care homes, voluntary organisations, and the criminal justice system. Social workers are needed across the full range of public and third-sector settings, and the profession offers genuine opportunities for specialisation, management, and leadership as careers develop. Many practitioners also go on to postgraduate study, including practice education, advanced social work programmes, or research into social policy and practice.
Syllabus & Modules
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