SOCIAL WORK, WELFARE LAW AND HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
BA (Hons) HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE UCAS code: L512
MAKE YOUR MARK IN
BA (Hons) SOCIAL WELFARE LAW, POLICY AND ADVICE PRACTICE
SOCIAL WORK,
UCAS code: LL4M
BA (Hons) SOCIAL WORK UCAS code: L500
WELFARE LAW AND HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE Do you care about people, their human rights and a fair society? If your answer is a resounding yes, than one of our courses could be for you! From working with a 4 year old child at risk to an 83 year old woman with dementia, from supporting a vulnerably housed lone parent to representing a man with mental health problems at a benefits tribunal, the health and social care sector offers you rewarding opportunities to support those most in need. Our courses will give you the skills and knowledge required to make a difference.
Staffordshire University’s School of Social work, Allied and Public Health has a range of undergraduate courses designed to inspire you to seek social justice and challenge discrimination at all levels. You will be taught by a team of passionate social workers, lawyers and health and care professionals with a variety of practice and research experiences in the sector. With courses well respected by a range of employers, our graduates soon secure positions in a range of exciting posts across the sector. Come and join us at an Open Day to learn more!
Introduction Key Facts Why Staffs? Social Work Why Staffs? Social Welfare Law, Policy and Advice Practice Why Staffs? Health & Social Care Our Brilliant People A Better Campus Choose More Open Days Application Process
Bob Banks Academic Group Leader, Social Work, Allied and Public Health
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Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate
t: 01782 294400
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INVESTING MORE THAN £5.5 MILLION IN THE REGION’S HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS OF THE FUTURE
KEY FACTS
GREAT FACILITIES
We have access to on campus facilities such as Mock Law Courts, Skills Labs and the Community House. We will use those facilities to help you experience real life situations in a safe environment. It may sound daunting, but our students say that it is an excellent way of learning.
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LEARNING IN PRACTICE
All our courses include practice learning opportunities in partner agencies. Whilst in practice, you will be well supported by employers and your tutors to make the most of your learning.
SUPPORTING YOU
We offer a supportive network of academic, study skills and pastoral staff to guide you through your course. A personal tutor will also be with you from induction to graduation, a friendly face to help out when needed.
FLEXIBLE LEARNING
Many of our courses are available full time or part time, and some courses can be studied by distance learning.
GET ACCREDITED
Our professional courses are recognised by professional regulatory bodies and successful completion enables you to apply to register with these bodies.
CREATIVE LEARNING
We pride ourselves in being innovative in teaching and creating exciting activities for our students. We aim to challenge you in a positive way and encourage you to open your mind and be out of your comfort zone.
Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate
t: 01782 294400
GRADUATE SUCCESS
We pride ourselves on our high employability rate and the positive feedback from employer about our graduates. However, your journey does not end there… many of our graduates return to us for post graduate studies or even teaching the new students now that they are practitioners.
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WHY STAFFS?
TEACHING WITH PASSION Our team consists of registered social workers, with a variety of professional experiences, including child and adult safeguarding, mental health settings and probation. All have a passion for their subjects, are research active and maintain links with practice to inspire their teaching and your learning. You will also benefit from the perspectives of a range of guest speakers and those in current practice.
SOCIAL WORK
SUPPORTING YOU
A PROFESSIONALLY APPROVED COURSE
ACADEMICALLY GROUNDED, PRACTICALLY FOCUSED
AWARD WINNING SERVICE USER AND CARER INVOLVEMENT
The BA Hons Social Work Course prepares you for a career in the personal social services or more general health and social care welfare settings. Recently approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), successful completion of the course enables you to apply for registration with the HCPC and use the legally protected title ‘social worker’.
The course offers education and training that integrates practice learning with academic learning. You will learn in the work place as well as in the classroom. We use a variety of innovative ways of teaching, from mock home visits to role play in court, from traditional lectures to real life practice on placement.
Service users and carers are involved throughout the course, enabling students to learn from their lived experiences of using social work services. Our service user and carer group have won multiple awards for their work with our students. They enjoy meeting you during induction, sharing their wisdom during your learning and celebrating with you at your graduation.
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Social work is very challenging – that’s what makes it a fascinating profession! We are here to support and enable you to embrace those challenges and make a difference. Our current students frequently compliment us on our friendly approach and supportive environment – we support you, so you can support others!
ONCE YOU QUALIFY We are very proud of our employability rates – within six months, 100% of graduates were in paid positions. And of course, a number come back to us to undertake further study, teach our new students and share their journey and success.
Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate
t: 01782 294400
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WHY STAFFS?
A HOW WILL I STUDY? You will be taught by a variety of different teaching methods. Our study groups are small and we primarily work in workshops and tutorials. We set students to work on problems together with the support of a tutor, in more interactive problem solving sessions. We use a virtual learning environment for all our modules and here you will find interactive materials and live twitter feeds relating to your modules. This ensures you are up to date with contemporary issues in this fast evolving area of practice. You will also become familiar with the policies that sit behind the theories and will have an opportunity to engage in debate on these topics with fellow students and practitioners, and with external speakers.
SOCIAL WELFARE LAW, POLICY AND ADVICE PRACTICE
The BA (Hons) Social Welfare Law, Policy and Advice Practice course equips you for a career in a wide range of settings, including Housing Associations, Local Government, Law Centres, and large voluntary and community sector organisations such as Save the Children, MIND, Shelter, Age UK or Citizens Advice. Our students have a passion for social justice and an interest in working with a wide range of groups such as older people, people with disabilities, people experiencing domestic violence, or people with debt, benefit, immigration, housing, substance misuse or consumer issues. Some of our graduates choose to continue their studies at a postgraduate level or to work in campaigning, fundraising or social policy roles.
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The course is delivered by lecturers with experience and current links to the social welfare law sector. Our students develop a wide range of transferable skills and knowledge to allow them to hit the ground running when they graduate. We support all students to find a volunteering experience to consolidate their academic learning with practical experience. A variety of high profile guest speakers and professionals deliver sessions to our students. You will be equipped to challenge discrimination and learn how to access human rights and how to ensure the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in our communities’ access the services they need. You will learn how to challenge social injustice and advocate on behalf of your clients. You will become skilled in how to work with other professional to support your clients
We will help you develop transferable skills such as communication skills, interviewing skills, case recording report writing, drafting submissions.
HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED? The Social Welfare Law, Policy and Advice Practice course has been running for over 10 years and is the only course of this type in the country. Our portfolio includes the Institute of Money Advisers professional award as accredited by the Money Advice Service, we are the only University to achieve this accreditation.
We use a variety of assessment methods. We use traditional course work essays but also have more innovative assessments, such as online assessed seminars. We use mock presentations and poster presentations. We also use mock interviews and negotiation sessions. All of these will embed the employability skills you will need as a practitioner once you start your career. You will complete a dissertation in your final year which will allow you to research and explore a relevant topic you chose in more detail.
We also host national conferences for organisations that work in the sector for example NAWRA [the National Association of Welfare Rights Advisers]. We also host events such as the Justice Alliance where barristers working in the sector come to discuss contemporary issues and raise awareness of issues prevalent to the sector.
Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate
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WHY STAFFS?
VISITING SPEAKERS Every year we invite guest speakers to come and share their knowledge and experience with you. Some of these speakers will be professionals engaged in the frontline of health and social care delivery, while others will offer more general study and career guidance.
EMPLOYABILITY Employability skills are embedded throughout the course, with a clear focus on how studies can be applied within the workplace. Volunteering services and the Careers Network will also be involved from the commencement of the course. This input will offer a clear direction, so that students are ready to advance into employment or further study at the end of their degree. The scope of this course opens up students to a breadth of opportunities in health and social care. There are over 300 different types of career available in the NHS alone, so this course provides a platform to an area rich in employment opportunities.
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
TOPIC OVERVIEW
COURSE OVERVIEW
SUPPORT
Health and social care are topics at the forefront of national debate and concern. Meeting the health and social care needs of the population is one of the greatest challenges facing any society. These challenges extend to almost every facet of social life, from the person who is unwell seeking support for themselves, to political decisions on how to structure national systems of healthcare delivery. Contemporary issues mean that health and social care topics are as salient as ever with, for example, shifting demographics placing increasing pressure on these sectors. Under conditions of economic austerity, the interconnected basis of health and social care is also amplified. The extensive nature of this degree course means that it is well equipped to produce the professionals of the future who can positively address this context.
The BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care offers the opportunity to develop core transferable skills and knowledge relevant to health care, social care and public health. Over this course a breadth of health and social care topics and issues will be explored. This degree is available as a three-year award at our Stoke campus, and a Foundation year is also available via one of our partner colleges. The award covers core topics such as professional issues, and the context of health and social care. There is also the opportunity for you to study an optional module in your second year. This will enable you to develop your knowledge on a particular topic, aligned with your key interests and career aspirations, in more detail.
At Staffordshire University you will always feel supported. Our friendly and approachable lecturers are available to help and advise you throughout your studies. Your personal tutor will also be available to offer valuable guidance. All staff who teach on this award have been employed in health or social care sectors, and are accordingly well equipped to help students recognise how their study topics link to current policy and practice. Teaching sessions are interactive and you will be able to offer your input in group discussions and tasks. As well as stimulating engagement with the learning process, this teaching format also enables you to establish positive collaborations and friendships with your peers.
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AWARD BENCHMARK The design of your course has been guided by the national subject benchmark for Health Studies and Social Policy and Administration. Written by national experts, the benchmark describes the defining characteristics of the subject area and the skills that you will be able to demonstrate by the end of the course.
Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate
t: 01782 294400
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OUR BRILLIANT PEOPLE
The passion and drive about the course and profession simply beamed from the lecturer as he spoke. I was hooked right there and just felt Staffs shared my dedication for success.
“It was very positive. The support was very good and the tutors were very approachable which is why I’ve chosen to study for my Masters degree at Staffordshire. The modules are around human rights and advice work and supporting vulnerable groups of people and putting those support mechanisms in place.
I am now half way through my second year and I am thoroughly enjoying the course. It has so far been positively challenging and interesting. We are put
I want to become a lecturer, teaching on the same course that I’ve studied. I’ve had a lot of offers but I believe I made the right decision first time around and I’m staying at Staffs because it’s been a great positive experience.”
IT TOOK LESS THAN AN HOUR INTO MY INTERVIEW DAY FOR ME TO REALISE STAFFS WAS ABSOLUTELY WHERE I WANTED TO BE TO STUDY SOCIAL WORK.
Zakiyyah Ahmen Graduate of BA(Hons) Social Welfare Law, Policy and Advice Practice (2:1) and currently studying her Masters at Staffordshire University
through our paces with regular assessments which range from assignments to presentations through to simulated interviews with the Service User and Carer Group, who are fantastic! The award winning Service User and Carer Group bring a real edge to the course and their own input within role plays and the feedback they offered within our first year was invaluable. The lectures are informative and the teaching team bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to help us link the theory to practical situations.
“I always wanted go into higher education but I didn’t get the chance when I was younger. It was very daunting and it’s been hard but I’ve really enjoyed it. I’ve had lots of encouragement from my tutors. It’s amazing to discover that I’m dyslexic at my age but it means I’ve been able to get the right support and advice. If I hadn’t come to the University I might never have found out. You can have a need for advice in any situation. You can lose your job, or lose a family member or you might need advice about benefits. It’s nice to have the knowledge to be able to help people. I’m so glad I’ve done this and would encourage anyone who’s considering going back into education to just go for it.”
The team are friendly, enthusiastic and supportive. I have always felt able to approach them and have always been welcomed with a professional and helpful response. Staffordshire University really stood out for me amongst the other Universities I was offered places at, now I am almost halfway through the course, I know I made the right choice” Second Year Social Work Student
Sharon Shenton BA (Hons) Social Welfare Law, Policy and Advice Practice Graduate
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Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate
t: 01782 294400
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A BETTER CAMPUS
AT STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY, WE’RE COMMITTED TO INVESTING IN YOUR FUTURE – LITERALLY. OVER A PERIOD OF 18 MONTHS, WE’RE SPENDING MILLIONS OF POUNDS ON OUR UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES, SO WHEN YOU JOIN US, YOU’LL BE COMING TO A PLACE WITH EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO START OPENING DOORS AND BREAKING BOUNDARIES.
In recent years, our Stoke-on-Trent campus has undergone a massive transformation, with the students at the heart of our plans. From the amazing Science Centre to environmental improvements, we’re focused on building the best campus for our students. But whilst it’s all well and good a university saying they care what students think, we’re putting our money where our mouth is. This all stems from a decision to make Stoke-on-Trent the main campus of Staffordshire University. In 2016 the majority of students from our Stafford Computing and Technology courses will be
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moving to the Stoke-on-Trent campus. So we’re making sure that when you arrive, you enter a university that is fit for purpose. One with a great mix of study and social spaces. One that feels safe and thrives on the friendly reputation we’ve built. What we found was that a modern edge-of-city campus is ideal. Close enough to the city for the social life, but far enough away to focus on studying. Great transport links around the city, but also great spaces around the campus. The best of both worlds. So, starting in Summer 2015, we’ll be working on the College Road and Leek Road sites of our Stoke Campus. We’ll be creating great social spaces and easy access between the Students’ Union, venues and teaching rooms. Bringing the best teaching facilities together with fantastic student areas – making it feel safe and easy to jump between your lectures and your life outside University. As well as that, we’re also investing £12m in a new Computing and Games facility. This project, called Digital Kiln, will merge beautiful learning space with state-of-theart technology to support all sorts of courses from Cyber Security to Games Design.
This investment is continuing the work we’ve already started to create great social spaces and easy access between the Students’ Union, halls of residence, and other facilities. We’ve committed to doubling the investment that’s already started to create enhanced facilities. Come 2016, it’s going to have the buzz and the feel of the edge-of-city campus that students want. Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Gunn
Healthcare Centres of Excellence This redevelopment work isn’t just happening in Stoke-on-Trent though. Healthcare and Midwifery students won’t miss out with significant further investment in our Centres of Excellence in Stafford and Shrewsbury – adding new student spaces and learning resources to make these campuses totally self-contained and right up to date. So, with all this to come, maybe it’s time you joined us at Staffordshire University?
Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate
t:t:01782 01782 294400 294400
KEY FACTS WORK STARTS: SUMMER 2015 ADDITIONAL £40M INVESTMENT IN STOKE-ON-TRENT CAMPUS MULTI-MILLION POUND INVESTMENT IN STAFFORD CENTRE OF HEALTHCARE EXCELLENCE AND SHREWSBURY CENTRE OF HEALTHCARE EXCELLENCE COMPLETION DATE: AUTUMN 2016.
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CHOOSE
MORE AT STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY, WE WANT TO GIVE YOU AN EDGE OVER THE COMPETITION. WE WANT YOU TO TAKE AWAY SOMETHING EXTRA. SO WE MAKE SURE YOU’LL GET SOMETHING EXTRA WHEN YOU’RE HERE. A LOT EXTRA ACTUALLY. To help you open doors as well as your mind, we’re spending millions of pounds on our edge-of-city campus. When you’re here, you’ll be able to work with brilliant academics and access a whole load of cutting edge facilities; from animation studios to photography darkrooms to surface decoration workshops. Past students have gone on to exhibit at prestigious galleries, museums and festivals across the world.
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You can also get more back with grants, loans and bursaries to help fund your study whilst enjoying a cost of living ranked the third lowest in the UK.
MAKE MORE OF YOUR TIME HERE • Improve your skills with online training platform Lynda.com and access over 3,000 online tutorial videos • Want to get fit while you study? Take advantage of our special student rate gym memberships • Don’t just learn while you’re with us, earn. Take a job at the Students’ Union, become a paid Student Ambassador with Unitemps or turn working while you study upside down with a seasonal role at Alton Towers Resort • Then spend. We’re a hop, skip and a short walk from shops, boutiques, restaurants, bars and clubs • Catch the latest musicals, opera, drama at the Regent Theatre and Stafford Gatehouse
MORE WAYS TO STUDY YOUR WAY • Grants, loans and bursaries to help fund your study • More hands-on, real world learning, fewer lectures • Hit the books whenever you want - access to our 24- hour library • Get all the software you need including access to the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite and download Microsoft Office 365 on up to five devices for free • Professional guest lecturers - previous presentations included Microsoft, Marvel Comics and Epic Games
At Staffordshire University, you’re in the best place to do more, with City Centre shops, boutiques, restaurants, theatres, bars and clubs all just a short stroll away. Plus, with student rate gym memberships and over 100 sports, clubs and societies to join – including skydiving, snow sports and our very own Beard Society – you can experience more too. So, if you’re looking for a place that gives you exactly what you need to succeed (and more), then open the door and your mind to Staffordshire University.
A CAMPUS WITH MORE TO OFFER • We’ve spent and continue to spend millions of pounds on our edge-of-city campus • We’re a place literally in the middle of things with easy access to Manchester, Birmingham, London • Get your film fix at our on-campus Film Theatre • Take advantage of our brilliant and friendly Student Support team • Stay fit and well with our NHS Healthcare centre with two doctors • Enjoy a cost of living ranked third lowest in the UK
Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate
01782 294400 294400 t:t:01782
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APPLICATION PROCESS NOT RECEIVED THE OFFER YOU WANTED?
Apply for up to 5 courses by
UCAS JANUARY DEADLINE
CHANGED YOUR MIND?
GOT YOUR RESULTS?
RECEIVED There’s only one real way to experience Staffordshire University, and that’s to come and see it for yourself.
University is where you’re due to spend the next few years of your life, so before you decide on somewhere, it makes sense to have a good look around. That’s where an Open Day comes in. This is your opportunity to get to know the place. Test it out. Immerse yourself in every aspect of Staffordshire University and see if it’s right for you. We’ll give you the chance to see everything, from the Students’ Union and the library to the IT suites and our impressive sports facilities. We’ll also show you the halls of residence, so you can start planning exactly where to put your TV and laptop. You’ll then meet our expert lecturers, see live demonstrations of lab and studio sessions, and delve deeper into your chosen subject with an informative talk. Advice is available on managing your student finances and ways to fund your study, as well as tips on writing a strong personal statement to include in your application.
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Best of all, you’ll have time to speak with current students about their experiences of Staffordshire University – which means you can hear exactly what it’s like to be at the heart of things in the centre of the country. It’s the best way to get a real feel for life here.
OFFERS?
APPLY VIA
UCAS EXTRA
Late Feb – early July. Gives you another chance to apply.
NOT MET THE CONDITIONS OF YOUR OFFER?
CONDITIONAL OFFERS UNCONDITIONAL OFFER
SELECT FIRM ACCEPTANCE & INSURANCE ACCEPTANCE
MET THE CONDITIONS OF YOUR OFFER?
ENROLMENT WELCOME TO STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY
Our Open Days give you an idea of everything Staffordshire University has to offer, so you’ll be ready to make one of the most important – and most exciting – decisions of your life.
DON’T PANIC CALL US...
CLEARING
The UCAS clearing process gives students another opportunity to find a place.
LEARN MORE OR BOOK YOUR PLACE AT
www.staffs.ac.uk/opendays GO ONLINE TO WATCH OUR VIRTUAL TOURS
MISSED THE UCAS DEADLINE?
Don’t worry, apply via UCAS until the end of June and if we have vacancies left on your course we’ll consider your application. We accept CLEARING applications from mid July. Visit: www.staffs.ac.uk/clearing
Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate
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For more detailed information on courses or studying at Staffordshire University, visit: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate
www.staffs.ac.uk/socialmedia The information in this guide is correct at time of publication, but may be subject to change.
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