There is a growing need for well-trained, multi-skilled graduates able to respond to the changing demands within the Social Care employment and research sectors. As such the Social Care team recognise the great benefit of collaborating with service users, health and social care employers and stakeholders in this sector.
Curriculum content will develop students’ knowledge and understanding of Social Care through an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach. Students will be encouraged to develop a critical approach to a range of social care discourses.
The School has strong links with a range of individuals and organisations in the field who have expressed an ongoing commitment to working with us. The Social Care team build on these long-standing working relationships at all levels of the programme to embed a research informed, evidence-based practice approach to teaching and learning.
Hear from one of our Social Care students
In first year, students have three hours of lectures per week, two hours of seminars and an hour of small tutorial group working. There is also a ‘fitness to practice’ week in term two when students are assessed for suitability for social welfare work.
In second year, students have two hours of lectures, two hours of seminars and a one hour tutorial each week. In term two, 50 of the taught hours are via work experience hours.
In third year, students have two hours of formal lectures per week. In addition they undertake two research seminars (one in each term) which are two hours per week. Students also undertake a research project and are supported in this via one-to-one supervision sessions.
In year one, C students must complete a portfolio, an essay and an examination.
In year two, students will develop their portfolio work. There are two portfolios - one academic and one is work-based. In addition, there is an essay and an exam.
In year three, students undertake assessments for the research seminars. This varies depending on topics chosen, but may include a poster presentation, a policy report, or an essay. Students must also complete an examination and a dissertation.
Social and Psychological approaches to Social Care will enable students to develop an understanding of the context of social care. Students will be introduced to both psychological and social approaches as they apply to social care. Students will explore cultural elements of modern day social care including the basic theories and normative practices that govern its delivery, as well as considering the social aspects of healthcare and the social organisation of social care provision through institutions of care and care roles.
Values and Ethics in social care will support students to explore and reflect upon their own value base, before moving on to consider the differences and tensions between personal and professional values. Students will explore central value questions of Individuality and Identity, Rights, Independence, Dignity, Respect, and Partnership - value categories that govern the nature and effectiveness of care provision.
Communication in Social Care will introduce students to the different ways of communicating effectively. Care workers require effective communication skills in order to work with the diverse range of people they meet in social care settings and this study theme will look at different forms of communication, factors that affect communication in care settings, and different ways of overcoming barriers to effective communication.
Service user perspectives will develop students understanding of the range of groups who use social care services including children and families, older people, and people experiencing mental distress. This section of the programme will be run in collaboration with a service user group and service providers to expand students’ understanding of their perspectives and experiences.
In Policy and Welfare students will develop a broad and varied critical analysis of notions and models of care and welfare. They will look critically at institutionally based welfare provision and explore the role of policy in shaping social care provision including the shift from institutional to community care and more recently to person-centred care.
Safeguarding vulnerable groups in social care settings will provide students with the opportunity to contextualise this central care issue within changing care settings and to develop their knowledge of the legal framework that underpins safeguarding practice for a range of groups in society such as children and vulnerable adults and those with learning disability. Students will consider how people and organisations work together to prevent and stop both the risk of and experience of abuse or neglect.
In Community and multiagency working students will explore the centrality of community working to social care. Students will gain insight into a range of theoretical concepts, methods and approaches applied within care community work, as well as tensions of professional power and accountability within community work approaches.
Work based learning will equip students with a range of apposite tools and techniques essential for professional practice, together with a wider knowledge base which will support their transition into a relevant work placement. Prior to their placement, students will undertake a range of activities which will enable them to demonstrate their readiness for practice. This will include, for example, the ability to work with others, to practice safely, to communicate effectively and be aware of the impact of culture, equality and diversity on practice.
Management and Leadership in Social Care will support students to come to an understanding of the philosophy, principles and language of leadership within the social care work environment. Students will develop an understanding of legal, policy and organisational contexts which shape management and leadership in the social care sector.
Contemporary issues in adult Social Care will critically appraise the current state of adult social care across the various jurisdictions of the UK. Students will consider how adult social care has emerged as a distinct policy area in the UK and will critically explore in depth some of the key issues facing adult social care, such as the funding of adult social care, the integration of health and social care services and the personalisation agenda. They will consider a range of social care support needs for adults and critically examine the provision of social care for specific service user groups e.g. adults with dementia and disabled adults.
In working with children and young people students will critically analyse the contemporary context of children’s lives. Students will examine the social and economic context of children’s lives and the framing of the modern family. Students will learn how modern divisions in society have particular impacts on children and young people including the critical analysis of poverty. Students will move on to explore ways of working with children and young people in in a variety of contexts, such as Looked After Children in fostering and adoption or young people in residential settings. Students will be able to critically engage with current debates about the needs and outcomes of children and young people and how this applies to professional practice.
During the August/September admissions period we are able to offer some flexibility in our entry requirements for courses that still have vacancies.
We are also offering a Foundation Year on many of our courses for students who have the ability and enthusiasm to study for a degree, but do not yet have the qualification level to enter directly onto our degree programmes.
Please call us to discuss the options available to you: 0151 291 3636
The Health and Social Care sector is undergoing substantial change. A range of private, and not-for-profit, Third Sector organisations are playing an increasingly prominent role in service delivery alongside more traditional NHS, statutory and local authority providers of which graduates can apply.
In your second year, you complete a work based learning project, where you spend 50 hours getting work experience and then produce a reflective portfolio. This project enables you to gain vital practical skills and knowledge necessary for a career in the field of social care.
All students have an opportunity of working either within or external to the university on work based learning. This provides an opportunity to develop their social care interests, ground their knowledge and promote their communication skills.
The Service and Leadership Award (SALA) is offered as an extra-curricular programme involving service-based experiences, development of leadership potential and equipping you for a career in a rapidly changing world. It enhances your degree, it is something which is complimentary but different and which has a distinct ‘value-added’ component. Find out more on our Service and Leadership Award page.
As part of your degree, you can choose to spend either a semester or a full year of study at one of our partner universities as part of our Study Abroad programme. Find out more on our Study Abroad page.
The tuition fees for the 2020/21 academic year are £9,250 for full-time undergraduate courses.
If you are a student from the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands, your tuition fees will also be £9,250.
The University reserves the right to increase Home and EU Undergraduate and PGCE tuition fees in line with any inflationary or other increase authorised by the Secretary of State for future years of study.
Along with your tuition fees, you also need to consider the cost of any core textbooks that you need. This will be approximately £150.
You will also need to consider the cost of your accommodation each year whilst you study at university. Visit our accommodation webpages for further details about our Halls of Residence: www.hope.ac.uk/halls.
Should you wish to undertake an international fieldtrip, this would be self-funded. You will also have to account for your DBS fee.
We have a range of scholarships to help with the cost of your studies. Visit our scholarships page to find out more.
The International tuition fees for the 2020/21 academic year are £11,400 (provisional) per year for full-time undergraduate courses.
Visit our International fees page for more information.
This course is also available as a Combined Honours degree with the following subjects: