(a) provide opportunities for integrated professional and academic study and development above the level offered by the CCETSW Advanced Award, by offering senior social work professionals the chance to undertake individualised programmes of study within a common academic and professional framework and a structured learning environment.

(b) enable social work professionals and teachers to pursue advanced study based in clinical, practice or applied management and educational experience and theorisation

(c) provide opportunities for trainees to achieve high standards of applied psychotherapeutic competence in social work contexts without attaining a formal qualification in psychotherapy, and to develop sophistication in the exercise of critical reflexivity with respect to their practice

(d) enable students to further the development of theory and applied research within the profession, by deepening and extending their own research skills and theoretical sophistication

(e) provide opportunities for senior and experienced social workers to develop advanced skills in professional leadership in clinical, educational, and managerial settings in modern NHS, social care and educational contexts.

(f) be fully and continually responsive to the needs of professionals as defined by their employers and themselves.

(f) develop a sophisticated understanding of the individual and social dynamics of power, exclusion, marginalisation and change processes in practice, management, therapeutic, group and organisational contexts.

(g) enhance the capacity to manage change, adapt creatively to rapidly changing policy environments, and develop the advanced competences necessary to respond professionally within reconfigured modes of service delivery.

Knowledge

• an in depth advanced understanding of the theoretical, methodological and research literature relevant to psychotherapeutic social work and be able to relate this creatively to students’ own specialised areas of practice
• an advanced understanding of the nature of processes which can inform interventions and change processes
• an advanced understanding of the dynamics of marginalisation, exclusion, power, and difference in professional practice and policy

Thinking skills

• an advanced awareness of therapeutic process and the ability to apply this to practice, organisational processes and social policy
• the capacity to make connections between observations, relevant theoretical constructs and practice interventions
• the capacities to develop and think through an individual research project

Subject-Based Practical skills

• capacities for leadership in the student’s areas of expertise
• capacities for influencing the development of colleagues and services
• skills in developing and implementing a programme of research
• advanced practice skills in two of three domains (practice, management, education)

Skills for life and work (general skills)

• Helps students to make links across subject areas, paradigms and theoretical orientations, which is a transferable skill.
• Enhances ability and confidence to discuss ideas in a group setting
• Enriches the students’ capacity to tolerate, in a course of considerable personal intensity, the emotional experiences of learning and working in social work

The course involves study in seminars for three years (Part 1) one morning a week – Tuesday. Additionally, time is needed for tutorials, practice supervision, observation (in the first two years) and reading. In Part 2 research seminars take place once a fortnight. Additionally there are individual meetings with research supervisors and time needed for individual study and research.

There are three 10-week academic terms, the first starting in October, and the third finishing in July. In addition we offer a termly research forum and twice a year, a research study day.

All seminar teaching takes place on Tuesdays.
Years 1and 2:
Observation: One seminar per week
Theory: One seminar/lecture per week
Professional practice supervision. One supervision each week

Year 3:
Policy Process: One seminar each week
Research methods: One seminar each week

Years 4 and 5
Supervision of research projects: as negotiated on an individual basis
Research seminars (one per fortnight)

To obtain the professional doctorate: Students must reach the required standard for all written and practice assessments in Part 1 and present a 40000-45000 word original thesis, and satisfy the examiners in an oral examination (viva voce)

To obtain the M Phil: Students must reach the required standard for all written and practice assessments in Part 2 and write a synthesising paper to the required standard

Knowledge is developed through

• In depth study of psychoanalytic and systemic theory and its application to social work practice
• Relating this knowledge to the institutional and societal contexts, including the dynamics of marginalisation, exclusion, power and difference
• Study of the observational method and literature relevant to this
• Developing capacities to integrate observation, practice, theory and research
• In depth study of qualitative research methods and their application to social work

Thinking skills are developed through

• Making increasing links in the three fields
• The enhancement of thinking and discussion skills in seminars
• The requirement to individualise learning throughout the programme

Practical skills are developed through

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Skills for life and work (general skills) are developed through

• Enhancing the transferable skill of making links across theories and paradigms
• Discussion based seminars
• Developing the ability to recognise the emotional impact of others on one self and vice versa

Knowledge is assessed by

• Essays in theory and policy
• Case studies in practice and social policy
• Linking observational experiences with theory in the observation essay
• The capacity to develop and implement a research project

Thinking skills are assessed by

• Integrating theory and practice, policy and observation
• Developing and implementing the research project
• Discussion within the groups

Practical skills are assessed by

• The developing capacity to observe and record
• Essay and case study writing
• Writing research reports

Skills for life and work (general skills) are assessed by

• The ability to hold different points of view
• Enhanced confidence through group discussion
• Increasing the capacity to tolerate anxiety when faced with new ideas and challenged by areas of experience inside the self