BA (Honours) Social Work (Scotland): Standard pathway

Stage 1

As you begin your study towards a professional qualification in social work, you might be asking yourself: Can I manage the demands of this qualification? Do I have the right knowledge to support my academic and professional development? Do I have the study skills to succeed?

Stage 1 of the BA (Hons) Social Work (Scotland) will help you with all of these questions and more besides. 

Studying the two 60-credit compulsory modules – An introduction to health and social care (K101)An introduction to health and social care::We all depend on care services at some time in our lives – at home; in hospitals, clinics or GP surgeries; in community and residential settings. As a key introductory Level 1 course, K101 provides an authoritative overview of health and social care underpinned by health and social policy, practice expertise and social science. The learning experience is greatly enhanced by real-life case studies taking you deep into the experience of receiving care and working in care services. This course will help you to build knowledge and understanding of care work and care services, develop skills, and prepare you for further study.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q41-1,module,K101,,1 and Introducing the social sciences (DD101)Introducing the social sciences::This key introductory Level 1 course is an ideal introduction to the social sciences – psychology, social policy and criminology, geography and environment, politics and international studies, economics and sociology – through study of contemporary UK society. Using a blend of text, audio, DVD and online materials, you’ll explore a wide range of topics, including questions of society’s relationship to the environment, questions of identity and issues of social order and governance – all considered in their national and international contexts – that will equip you with a range of skills for independent study and for your personal and working life.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q41-1,module,DD101,,1 – will give you a fascinating insight into the organisation of social care in the UK and many different perspectives on contemporary British society. They’ll also help build your confidence by steadily developing and enhancing your study skills – including digital and information literacy. There’s no better way to begin your journey to your social work qualification and life as a professional social worker – and as you progress through your studies, you’ll return to your learning from these modules time and time again.

Stage 2

In Stage 2 you’ll be able to build on the study skills that you learnt in Stage 1 as you embark on a learning journey that weaves a path through the foundations of good social work practice – picking up crucial skills and knowledge along the way. 

You’ll begin with a 60-credit practice module, Foundations for social work practice (K113)Foundations for social work practice::This key introductory Level 1 course is a compulsory module of the OU degree in social work. You must be studying towards the degree and be sponsored by your employing agency. The course will help develop your knowledge of the key roles of social work, and introduce the social work standards and codes of practice relevant to each UK nation state. It explores ideas about what social work is – using case studies with children, older people, mental-health communities, disabled children, and people with learning disabilities to apply learning to practice contexts. The course includes a 20-day practice learning opportunity under supervision of a practice verifier appointed by your sponsoring agency.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q41-1,module,K113,,1, attending small group workshops led by an experienced social work tutor. Key concepts around communication will start opening up your thinking about how professional ‘practice’ is informed and underpinned by theory. You’ll be encouraged to make connections between your studies and your own experiences – from both your personal and working life – and to help you manage this, we’ll equip you with new skills in reflective writing.

You’ll also learn about child care and child protection in Social work with children, young people and families in Scotland (K229)Social work with children, young people and families in Scotland::Social work with children, young people and families is a contested area of practice. Social workers need to have a sound knowledge of theories and practice in childcare and child development. Taught primarily through online activities, you will explore the complexities of social work practice with children, young people and families. This course is specifically designed for students in Scotland and meets the requirements of the Key Capabilities in Childcare and Child Protection at Level 8.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q41-1,module,K229,,1 (30 credits), and choose an optional 30-credit module from:

• Challenging ideas in mental health (K272)Challenging ideas in mental health::Ideas about the concept of mental health are hotly contested, and often personally and intellectually challenging. This course invites you to think differently about life’s dilemmas by considering the views of all concerned, especially people experiencing mental distress. Using a holistic framework, it explores ideas and practice in mental health – encouraging you to review your own beliefs and experiences and to challenge yourself and others on a more informed footing. The course will appeal to a wide range of people – workers in health and social care, service users/survivors, friends and families, and anyone with a general interest in this complex and challenging topic.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q41-1,module,K272,,1
• Death and dying (K260)Death and dying::This is an exciting and revolutionary course in which you’ll engage with real issues based on the experiences of dying people, bereaved people, those who work with them, and their carers, both lay and professional.  This course will be of interest for anyone who works with dying people and their families or students who want to find out more about death, dying and bereavement, and what these mean in different contexts.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q41-1,module,K260,,1
• Dementia care (K235)Dementia care::The rising number of people with dementia and the issue of how care is delivered make this course of interest to anyone involved with dementia care. You will study the impact of this increase; the importance of understanding diversity; current thinking about possible causes and cures; how care is delivered in a residential setting and what it means to improve the management of care. You will also consider ethical dilemmas raised by caring for people with dementia including end-of-life decisions. Real accounts from people affected by dementia, their family members and carers, enrich this highly interactive course.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q41-1,module,K235,,1
• Diverse perspectives on mental health (K225)Diverse perspectives on mental health::What causes mental distress and what can be done about it? What aspects of the external environment affect mental health? This course examines how social, environmental, economic and political factors shape and constrain our understandings and experiences of mental health and distress. It explores the wide range of diverse and frequently competing perspectives that characterise the world of mental health and looks at the impact of these perspectives on mental health practice and service provision. The course will appeal to anyone – lay or professional – who seeks greater understanding of this fascinating and complex area of service provision.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q41-1,module,K225,,1

The skills and knowledge you develop at this stage will help form the platform for moving onto Stage 3.

Stage 3

By Stage 3 of the degree, you’ll be ready to start applying what you’ve learnt to your own practice. Two compulsory 60-credit modules will give you the confidence and knowledge to do just this. 

The law and social work in Scotland (K207)The law and social work in Scotland::This course examines the legal frameworks that shape and regulate social work decision making in Scotland. It considers how social work can make use of the law in a positive way and examines the value of law from the perspectives of service users, carers and professionals. The course deals with a range of legal issues related to social care and social work practice, including children in need and safeguarding children, criminal and youth justice, community care, housing, and the impact of the Human Rights Act 1998 on practice. It also examines the dilemmas encountered in practice of working in an ethical way.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q41-1,module,K207,,1 examines the legal framework that shapes and regulates social care decision-making. You’ll cover a range of legal issues related to social care and social work practice including children and family services; youth justice; immigration; community care and housing. 

Applied social work practice (K216)Applied social work practice::This course is a compulsory module of the OU degree in social work in England and Scotland. You must be studying towards for the degree, have passed Foundations for social work practice (K113), be working in a practice context and be sponsored by your employing agency. The course helps you to understand the application of social work knowledge to practice, addressing key roles and standards for social workers and relevant knowledge, values and skills for social work. The course includes a 100-day practice learning opportunity under the supervision of a practice assessor appointed by your sponsoring agency.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q41-1,module,K216,,1 will help you understand the key roles that social workers undertake and the relevant knowledge, values and skills of the social work process. You’ll also undertake the first of two 100-day practice placements in this pathway.

Stage 4

In Stage 4 you have a choice of 60-credit modules covering:

• work with children – Working together for children (KE312)Working together for children::Working with children requires the development of the knowledge, skills, and values associated with topics including communication; transitions; relationships; health; play; participation; working with parents; early intervention; and safeguarding. All these subjects and more are taught in the context of current law and social policy, with an emphasis on the need for different agencies and practitioners to work together. Using a blend of text and online study materials, you will explore working with children aged 0–12. Studying this practice-focused course will help you to meet the professional and occupational standards required in childcare, health, social care and educational children’s services.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q41-1,module,KE312,,1
• adulthood and our ageing society – Adulthood, ageing and the life course (K319)Adulthood, ageing and the life course::In the twenty-first century many more adults will live for longer than in previous generations. The emergence of an ageing society can be celebrated, but it also poses many challenges. As workers, carers, or as people receiving health or social care support, this course will enable you to explore diverse individual, environmental, policy, and practice perspectives for adults and for adulthood. It will focus on later life, mental health, long-term conditions, learning disability, and drug and alcohol use. The course incorporates a rich blend of multi-media learning resources, including stimulating case material and opportunities for online collaborative learning.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q41-1,module,K319,,1
• communication in interpersonal, institutional and social contexts – Communication in health and social care (K309)Communication in health and social care::What do we mean by good communication? Does improving communication mean learning new skills, or changing the nature of the relationship between service providers and service users? Improving the quality of communication is now a key priority for health and social care: staff at all levels are expected to work in partnership with other agencies, and service users expect and demand greater equality in service provision. This course looks at communication in interpersonal, institutional and social contexts. You’ll also have opportunities to reflect on your own experiences and, by working with fellow students, analyse real-life examples and explore how practice can be improved.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q41-1,module,K309,,1
• managing in the care sector – Leadership and management in health and social care (K313)Leadership and management in health and social care::The delivery of successful health and social care services relies on effective management and strong leadership. This course is designed for existing and aspiring managers or anyone who would like to learn more about management and leadership in health and social care. It will help you develop the necessary knowledge and analytical skills, as well as providing an overview of the organisational, legal and policy contexts within which managers operate, focusing on the challenges and opportunities faced in this sector. Throughout the course you apply learning to real-life examples, developing evidence-based strategies for good outcomes for service users.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q41-1,module,K313,,1 – ideal if you’re working in a frontline management role.

To complete your degree, you’ll study the final practice-learning module, Critical social work practice (K315)Critical social work practice::This course will support you as a student social worker in becoming a confident, critical, analytical and reflective practitioner, and an independent learner. It guides you towards sources of information to interrogate and evaluate. It identifies what critical reflection is and supports its application across a range of knowledge and practices. You will reflect on practice – looking at historical and international exemplars – and develop research literacy; exploring how research can inform practice and be used by practitioners. You will also examine the nature of organisations supplying social work services, how they are changing and what this means for social work practice and practitioners.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q41-1,module,K315,,1 (60 credits), and undertake your second 100-day placement.

The practice module will support you in becoming a confident, critical, analytical and reflective practitioner. The emphasis is on supporting independent learning and you’ll be guided towards sources of information to interrogate and evaluate.

After successfully completing all four stages of this degree, you’ll be able to register with the professional body in Scotland and begin your career as a qualified social worker.