SOCIAL CARE BA

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.