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Programme Specification for Social Work and Emotional Wellbeing (D60M) MA

This programme is only offered at: Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust.

Final award

MA

Intermediate awards available

Postgraduate Certificate
Postgraduate Diploma

UCAS code

N/A

Details of professional body accreditation

Higher Specialist and Advanced Awards in Social Work conferred by the General Social Care Council (GSCC)

Relevant QAA Benchmark statements

N/A

Date specification last up-dated

August 2011

Profile

The summary - programme advertising leaflet

Programme content

The course provides a unique integrated and highly flexible programme of study, with opportunities for professional and academic study and development towards a range of professional post-qualifying and academic awards leading to the Masters in Social Work & Emotional Wellbeing.

The academic standard of this course enables advanced and intensive learning and research to be rooted in professional practice. Thus it contributes to the professional development of the individual and the wider professional community.

The intermediate qualifications similarly support both professional and academic development. Students on the clinical route undertake work discussion and supervised practice within any of three settings (clinical practice, management/consultation and education/training).

Those following the dissertation route undertake a practice based dissertation supported by research methods and theoretical learning. All students study theory, observation, and policy.

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements are:

  • A good (first or second class) honours degree or demonstration of the professional equivalent
  • 2 years post qualifying experience in social work, with a recognised social work qualification (DipSW/CQSW/Social Work Degree) or equivalent
  • Employment within a social work or social care agency
  • Evidence of suitability for practice and of a commitment to learning from experience, and deploying psychoanalytic concepts for professional understanding
  • Applicants with either prior-certified learning or prior-experiential learning that closely matches the specified learning outcomes of the taught part of the programme may be able to claim exemption via agreed university procedures. Up to half of the credits for an award may be achieved through accredited experiential learning, and up to two thirds of the credits for an award may be achieved through accredited certified learning. No exemption can be claimed against the research part of the programme or in situations where a professional body excludes it.
  • Where English is not the applicant's first language, a minimum IELTS Academic English, or such qualifications as our University deems comparable, score of 7.0 overall, with a minimum of 6.5 in all components, is required at entry. Such assessment of English language competence must normally have been undertaken no more than two years prior to application, though relevant and more recent study in a United Kingdom Higher Education Institution may be accepted as sufficient proof of ability.

Admissions Procedure

  1. Application form
  2. A written reference from the student's workplace supporting their application
  3. By personal interview.  Candidates wishing to register for a Post Qualifying Award in Social Work at the Higher Specialist and Advance Level who do not possess the Specialist Award will be expected to demonstrate how their previous work and experience evidences specialist level practice. 
  4. All candidates are required to supply a satisfcatory, up to date criminal records disclosure.  (This cannot be a photocopy.) 

All interviews are undertaken by Trust staff members. Applicants are expected to submit photocopies of their professional and academic qualifications at interview. Candidates will receive written notification of whether they have been successful in their application.

Programme structure

The Masters in Social Work & Emotional Wellbeing is a flexible part-time course leading up to the MA and taken over two years part time study, one day a week, consisting of a number of taught elements including a course of structured work discussion and professional development. All students take a 'major' pathway over two years from clinical practice, management or education. Those studying for the MA (by dissertation route) undertake a research dissertation during their 2nd year. Those studying for the MA (by clinical route) have a work-related taught and assessed component for their 2nd year.

Social workers may simultaneously register for one of 5 post-qualifying professional awards at either Higher Specialist (Post-Graduate Diploma) or Advanced (M) Levels.

The professional awards are the GSCC Post-Qualifying Awards in Higher Specialist or Advanced Social Work:

  • Children and Young People, their Families and Carers or
  • Social Work with Adults or
  • Mental Health or
  • Leadership and Management or
  • Practice Education

Students registering for the post qualifying awards in social work with service user groups: Children and Young People, Adults, Mental Health, may complete the awards in one of the following roles: Practitioner, Manager or Educator. Students registering for the awards in Leadership and Management or Practice Education may focus their work in relation to one specific client group: children and young people, adults or mental health service users.

Students who are awarded at the higher specialist level will, in the course of their studies, satisfy the GSCC level criteria for Higher Specialist Social Work. Students awarded at the advanced level will, in the course of their studies, satisfy the GSCC level criteria for Advanced Social Work.

All MA and Post Qualifying Award in Social Work holders at Advanced level are eligible for consideration for direct entry to the Professional Doctorate in Social Work.

The MA and Advanced Award are taken over two years part time study, one day a week, consisting of a number of taught elements including a course of structured work discussion and professional development. All students take a 'major' pathway over two years from clinical practice, management or education. Those studying for the MA (by dissertation route) undertake a research dissertation during their 2nd year. Those studying for the MA (by clinical route) have a work-related taught and assessed component for their 2nd year.

Learning environment

Work discussion, theory, observation, policy and research methods are all taught in small seminar groups. Clinical supervision, tutorials and research supervision take place either in small discussion groups or on a 1-1 basis.

Assessment

In Term 2 there are the following assessed elements:

  • Psychoanalytic & Systemic theories paper: 3000 words
  • (GSCC HS 1,2,3,4,5,6)
  • Work discussion paper: 3000 words
  • Reflective assignment: 1000 words
  • (GSCC HS 1,2,3,4,5,6,7.8.9)
  • Infant Observation: 3000 words, plus 2 ancillary observations of 1500 words each
  • (GSCC HS 1,2,3,4,5,6)

In Term 4 there are the following assessed elements:

  • Policy process, organisational cultures and social work presentation/paper: 3000 words
  • (GSCC HS 1,2,3,4,5,6,7.8.9)
  • Professional Practice development paper: 3000 words, plus 2 ancillary recordings of 1500 words
  • (GSCC HS and at Advanced Level 2,3,5,7.8,9,10)
  • Reflective assignment:12000 words
  • Individual-in-context (social work) observation paper: 3000 words, plus 1 ancillary observation of 1500 words
  • (GSCC HS 1,2,3,4,5,.9)

MA and Advanced Award dissertation route:

  • MA dissertation: Term 6, 14,000 words
  • (GSCC AL 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9, 10)

MA and Advanced Award clinical route:

  • Clinical Social Work Practice, Management or Educator Theory and Research paper: Term 6, 5000 words
  • (GSCC AL 1,2,3,4,5,6)
  • Clinical Practice paper: Term 6, 5000 words
  • (GSCC AL 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9, 10)
  • Reflective assignment: 1000 words

Relevance to work/profession

This course is a unique course of study that offers opportunities to develop professional practice to a very high standard. It integrates practice, policy and research and contributes to the development of the individual and the professional social work community. The course thus aims to contribute to the consolidation and recovery of professional identity. Students will develop capacities for leadership in relation to colleagues and services.

Research/project work

Throughout the course, students have opportunities to develop and discuss their ideas and experiences in small seminar groups and individual tutorials/supervisions. All the assignments provide opportunities for making creative contributions to understanding practice based on experience.

Students studying for the MA Dissertation engage in advanced study of research methods and apply this learning to the design and implementation of a practice based project. Those studying for the MA Clinical engage in advanced study of research methods and theory that support and inform clinical practice, and apply this is an extended practice study.

Added value

This is an extremely flexible course that facilitates the professional and academic learning of social work and social care students at different stages of their careers. It offers a range of post-qualifying and academic awards - ultimately leading to the Masters in Social Work & Emotional Wellbeing.

Your future career

The course provides opportunities to develop specialist social work skills and leadership capacities, underpinned by GSCC PQ principles and competencies. Our experience is that students on this programme develop a clearer sense of professional direction, and succeed in gaining promotion or advancement as a result. The key to this lies in the acquisition of increased professional confidence in managing complex, emotionally and intellectually demanding practice and management experiences.

How we support you

Support is offered through individualised learning, one to one relationships with tutors and supervisors and learning in a small group setting.

Bonus factors

As an international centre of excellence for psychoanalytic thinking, the Tavistock Centre has an excellent library system available both on the web and at the institution itself, for which students receive usage induction. The course gives an opportunity for students to meet both a wide range of experienced psychoanalytic practitioners and academics, and to experience a student body from a diversity of social work and social care settings sharing common professional interests and values.

Students have the opportunity to undertake at least 6-9 month's supervised clinical practice and this can often take place in one of the Departments of the Tavistock Clinic (Child and Family, Adolescent, Adult)

There is provision for entry with advanced standing, subject to fulfilling other entry criteria. The integrated academic and professional requirements serve as the baseline for assessing the AP(E)L claims for students' advanced standing.

Applicants with either prior-certified learning or prior-experiential learning that closely matches the specified learning outcomes of the taught part of the programme may be able to claim exemption via agreed university procedures. No exemption can be claimed against the research part of the programme or in situations where a professional body excludes it.

Outcomes

Programme aims and learning outcomes

What is this programme designed to achieve?

This programme is designed to give you the opportunity to:

Aims:

  • to provide a course of integrated professional and academic study towards the level offered by the General Social Care Council's Advanced Award
  • to enable social work and social care professionals and teachers to pursue advanced study based in clinical, practice or applied management and educational experience with theorisation and research
  • to 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.
  • to enable students to further the development of theory and research within the profession, by deepening and extending their own research skills and theoretical sophistication

What will you learn?

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 your own specialised roles and areas of practice
  • An advanced understanding of the nature of processes which can inform interventions and change processes
  • an in-depth and advanced understanding of the dynamics of policy processes and the interaction between change processes in society and their impact on these at local level in the social work and social care sector
  • 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 within social work settings
  • The capacity to make connections between observations, relevant theoretical constructs and practice interventions
  • The capacity to develop and think through an individual research project or clinical study
  • The ability to make informed judgements on complex issues, often in the absence of complete data and be able to communicate ideas and conclusions clearly and effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences

Subject-Based Practical skills

  • Developing capacities for complex decision-making and high levels of professional responsibility
  • Developing capacity for taking a leading role in your area of expertise
  • Developing capacities for influencing the development of colleagues and services through initiatives in management, training or practice supervision
  • Skills in developing and implementing a programme of research and/or in-depth clinical study
  • Advanced observation skills (infant and organisational)
  • Advanced practice, management or educator knowledge, values and skills
  • Develop the capacity to work with and in complex processes of change
  • Manage and work with risk and uncertainty

Skills for life and work (general skills)

  • Helps you to make links across subject areas, paradigms and theoretical orientations
  • Enhances ability and confidence to discuss ideas in a group setting
  • Enriches your capacity to tolerate, in a programme of considerable personal intensity, the emotional experiences of learning and working in social work
  • Continuing development and enhancement of suitability for practice skills
  • Enables you to appreciate the contribution that service users and carers make to your continuing professional development
  • Enables you to work effectively in multi-agency and inter-professional work environments

Structure

The programme structure

Introduction

All programmes are credit-rated to help you to understand the amount and level of study that is needed.
One credit is equal to 10 hours of directed study time (this includes everything you do e.g. lecture seminar and private study).

Credits are assigned to one of 5 levels:

  • 0 - equivalent in standard to GCE 'A' level and is intended to prepare students for year one of an undergraduate degree programme
  • 1 - equivalent in standard to the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
  • 2 - equivalent in standard to the second year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
  • 3 - equivalent in standard to the third year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
  • M - equivalent in standard to a Masters degree

Credit rating

The overall credit-rating of this course is:

  • 60M for PG Certificate
  • 120M for PG Diploma,
  • 180M for MA,

Typical duration

The course involves study in seminars for two years, one day a week - Tuesday. Additionally, time is needed for tutorials, observation (in the first two years) and reading. Additionally, time is needed for tutorials, observation and reading.

Subsequent research seminars take place either fortnightly or monthly with additional individual meetings with research supervisors and time needed for individual study and research.

How the teaching year is divided

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.

What you will study when

Years 1 & 2 seminar teaching takes place on Tuesdays;

Terms 1-4:
Psychoanalytic & systemic theories/ Policy process, organisational cultures and social work: One reading seminar per week in Terms 1-4
Professional Practice Development: One seminar per week in Terms 1-4
Observational Studies: One seminar per week in Terms 1-4
Group relations event: 5 days in December in Year 2

Terms 5 & 6:
i) MA and Advanced Award Dissertation route
Research methods /proposal: 10 seminars
Dissertation supervision: Individual supervision (6-10 meetings) plus 2 day workshops

ii) MA and Advanced Award Clinical route
Social work theory and research: clinical, management or educator paper: One reading seminar per week in Terms 5 & 6
Professional Practice Development: Clinical Practice/Supervision: 20 individual or small group supervisions in Terms 5 & 6

Level

UEL Module Code

Module Title

Credit

Status

M Unit 101 Psychoanalytic & Systemic Theories & their Application to Individuals and Families 20 Core
M Unit 102 Work Discussion & Reflexive Log 20 Core
M Unit 103 Infant Observation 20 Core
M Unit 201 Policy Process, Organisational Cultures and Social Work 20 Core
M Unit 203 Professional Practice Development & Reflexive Log 20 Core
M Unit 204 Individual-in-context (social work) observation & Group Relations 20 Core
MA Clinical Route
M Unit 301 Social work theory and research: clinical, management or educator 30 Core for Clinical route
M Unit 303 Professional Development: Clinical practice/placement 30 Core for Clinical route
MA Dissertation route
M Unit 304 MA Dissertation 60 Core for Dissertation route

Requirements for gaining an award

In order to gain a Postgraduate Certificate, you will need to obtain 60 credits at Level M.
In order to gain a Postgraduate Diploma, you will need to obtain 120 credits at Level M
In order to obtain a Masters, you will need to obtain 180 credits at Level M.

Masters Award Classification

Where a student is eligible for an Masters award then the award classification is determined by calculating the arithmetic mean of all marks and applying the mark obtained as a percentage, with all decimals points rounded up to the nearest whole number, to the following classification

70% - 100%

Distinction

60% - 69%

Merit

50% - 59%

Pass

0% - 49%

Not Passed

Assessment

Teaching, learning and assessment

Teaching and learning

Knowledge is developed through

  • In depth study of psychoanalytic and systems theories and their 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 relevant literature
  • 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 (observations, theoretical constructs and practice interventions)
  • The enhancement of thinking and discussion skills in seminars
  • The requirement to individualise learning throughout the course

Practical skills are developed through

  • Increasing the capacity to make links between theory and practice, thus developing both expertise and leadership skills
  • The application of research methodologies to an individualised research programme and/or in-depth clinical study
  • Supervised practice placements in practice, management and/or education

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
  • Ongoing feedback in supervisions, seminars and tutorials developing awareness of suitability for practice skills
  • The ongoing reflective log and the annual reflective assignment, as facilitating the increasing capacity to reflect on learning and professional development

Assessment

Knowledge is assessed by:

  • Essays in theory, policy and research methodologies
  • Work discussion papers in practice and social policy
  • Linking observational experiences with theory in the observation essays
  • The capacity to develop and implement a research project and/or in-depth case study

Thinking skills are assessed by:

  • The capacity to integrate theory and practice, policy and observation, as evidenced through assignments
  • Discussion within the groups
  • Developing and implementing the research project and/or in-depth case study

Practical skills are assessed by:

  • The developing capacity to observe and record, as demonstrated in assignments
  • Essay and case study writing
  • Assessment of supervised placements in practice, management and/ or education
  • Developing research skills as evidenced through research assignments and dissertation/ in-depth case study
  • Capacity for influence and leadership, evidenced by seminar, workshop and conference presentations and through the policy presentation

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

  • The ability to hold different points of view and make links across theories and paradigms, as evidenced through written assignments
  • 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, evidenced by seminar discussions and written assignments
  • The annual reflective assignments as demonstrating the student’s increasing capacity to maintain a reflexive relationship both with their learning and with its impact on their practice
  • Suitability for practice assessed through supervisions and work discussion seminars

Quality

How we assure the quality of this programme

Before this programme started, the following was checked:

  • there would be enough qualified staff to teach the programme;
  • adequate resources would be in place;
  • the overall aims and objectives were appropriate;
  • the content of the programme met national benchmark requirements;
  • the programme met any professional/statutory body requirements;
  • the proposal met other internal quality criteria covering a range of issues such as admissions policy, teaching, learning and assessment strategy and student support mechanisms.

This is done through a process of programme approval which involves consulting academic experts including some subject specialists from other institutions.

How we monitor the quality of this programme

The quality of this programme is monitored each year through evaluating:

  • external examiner reports (considering quality and standards);
  • statistical information (considering issues such as the pass rate);
  • student feedback.

Drawing on this and other information, programme teams undertake the annual Review and Enhancement Process which is co-ordinated at School level and includes student participation. The process is monitored by the Quality and Standards Committee.

Once every six years an in-depth review of the whole field is undertaken by a panel that includes at least two external subject specialists. The panel considers documents, looks at student work, speaks to current and former students and speaks to staff before drawing its conclusions. The result is a report highlighting good practice and identifying areas where action is needed.

The Tavistock Clinic will apply the principle of equality of opportunity to all its admission activities and positively encourages the application of students from a wide range of backgrounds, including those with special needs.

At least two members of academic staff will review each application before a decision is made.

The role of the programme committee

This programme has a programme committee comprising all relevant teaching staff, student representatives and others who make a contribution towards the effective operation of the programme (e.g. library/technician staff). The committee has responsibilities for the quality of the programme. It provides input into the operation of the Review and Enhancement Process and proposes changes to improve quality. The programme committee plays a critical role in the quality assurance procedures.

The role of external examiners

The standard of this programme is monitored by at least one external examiner. External examiners have two primary responsibilities:

  • To ensure the standard of the programme;
  • To ensure that justice is done to individual students.

External examiners fulfil these responsibilities in a variety of ways including:

  • Approving exam papers/assignments;
  • Attending assessment boards;
  • Reviewing samples of student work and moderating marks;
  • Ensuring that regulations are followed;

Providing feedback through an annual report that enables us to make improvements for the future.

Listening to the views of students

The following methods for gaining student feedback are used on this course:

  • Course Committee meeting once termly (students represent year groups)
  • Use of the personal tutor system
  • Termly year group reviews
  • Feedback forms once yearly

Students are notified of the action taken through:

  • Circulating the minutes of the Course Committee
  • Termly year group reviews

Listening to the views of others

The following methods are used for gaining the views of other interested parties:

  • The views of employers are obtained through an employer forum held once a year. This facilitates discussions between course tutors students and employers.
  • Service users are also integrally involved in all aspects of the programme.

Further Information

Where you can find further information

Further information about this programme is available from:

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