Applied Social Work Practice
Part-time
Three year
January 2025
In a nutshell
International applicants: please check the international intakes page for the latest information and application dates.
The course modules can be accessed as standalone modules for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) purposes or built towards PGCert/PGDip or MSc in Applied Social Work Practice.
Social Workers are required to intervene in the lives of vulnerable people and people in crisis making decisions which impact directly on individuals, families and society. The emphasis in this course is on the application of skills (practical, critical and intellectual), knowledge and research to social work practice, with the aim of improving opportunity and outcomes for service users and communities.
Modules are offered which are relevant at whatever stage of your career you are at – from modules to support you at the outset of your social work career to modules which develop supervision and management skills. All modules have been developed in collaboration with regional stakeholders.
You may enter the course as a sponsored student from your employer or maybe self-funding.
You will:
- Have flexible access to modules which equip you will the critical skills needed for contemporary practice to improve the lives of service users.
- Enhance your career, professional credibility and employability with the scope to take one module or progress to the awards of PgCert, PgDip or MSc.
students accepted
This is for you if...
You want to maintain your CPD for professional registration with Social Work England.
You are a compassionate and empathetic character.
You are hardworking and dedicated to developing your knowledge.
All about the course
Social Workers are required to intervene in the lives of vulnerable people and people in crisis making decisions which impact directly on individuals, families and society. The emphasis in this course is on the application of skills (practical, critical and intellectual), knowledge and research to social work practice, with the aim of improving opportunity and outcomes for service users and communities.
Modules are offered which are relevant at whatever stage of your career you are at – from modules to support you at the outset of your social work career to modules which develop supervision and management skills. All modules have been developed in collaboration with regional stakeholders.
This course runs on a part-time basis, starting in September or January:
- MSc: Three years part-time
- PgDip: Two years part-time
- PgCert: One year part-time
You can also elect to study one or more of the 30-credit modules and/or our 15-credit ASYE module as individual CPD courses.
Each module aims to build upon your experience within a practice setting and facilitate engagement to build upon a ‘critical skills set’. This includes developing the comprehensive knowledge and high-level skills required to work autonomously with service users. This will include being able to evaluate current research within the field of practice, and its application to complex practice situations when involved with multi-agencies, other professionals and safeguarding issues. The emphasis is on the application of knowledge and skills with the aim of improving opportunities and outcomes for service users, families and communities.
Professional Practice (ASYE)
Intakes September and February
This long, thin module, running over two semesters, ensures that you consistently demonstrate practice across a range of tasks and roles appropriate to the PCF level expected by the end of your first year in practice following qualification.
Consolidation: Critical Theory and Research in Practice
Intakes September and February
To ensure that you can meet the requirements of the qualified and professionally registered social worker, equipping social workers to work with complexity and make confident decisions in practice to improve the lives of service users.
This module will be assessed in two ways: a presentation (20% of the total grade) along with a literature report (80% of the total grade).
Applied Critical Reflection
To consolidate knowledge, theory and skills from practice in the assessment and management of risk. To further develop knowledge of the application in practice of a range of theories and models which inform your decision-making and influence methods in social work.
Risk Assessment and Analysis: Safeguarding Adults
To consolidate knowledge, theory and skills from practice in the assessment and management of risk. To further develop your knowledge of the application in practice of a range of theories and models which inform decision-making and influence methods in social work.
Risk Assessment and Analysis: Safeguarding Children
Discuss the contemporary debates about child care policy, practice and contexts around assessment. You will undertake critical approaches to assessment, analysis and evidence-based practice and debate current child care practice in a multi-agency context.
Professional Leadership: Becoming a Supervisor
This module will take participants who are already or about to become supervisors. It will critically explore the theory and practice of social work supervision and help the participant to develop their supervisory style and skills.
Research Methods
To enable you to develop a rigorous approach to the process of research and its impact and prepare students to complete a dissertation/ research project or systematic literature review.
Please note, if you want to go on to study for the MSc you will need to take the Research Methods module before your Dissertation.
Dissertation
To enhance your ability to utilise a systematic process of inquiry and apply critical thinking and problem solving, in order to investigate an aspect of professional, educational, clinical or organisational practice.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of module options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students enrol on each module. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all modules will be running each year. The programme leader will be able to advise you as to the available options before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
The School of Health and Society
The School of Health and Society is a forward-thinking, dynamic school with a commitment to lifelong learning and real-world impact.
We live in a rapidly changing world, and we’re keen to leave a productive legacy of helping people at all stages of their lives, improving their physical, psychological and social wellbeing.
Our facilities
Our cutting-edge facilities feature the latest industry-standard tools, supported by skilled technicians and expert tutors. These dynamic environments allow you to safely practice and perfect new skills under the guidance of experienced practitioners and technicians.
Explore the wide range of facilities and clinics available in the School of Health and Society.
What about after uni?
- Completing CPD is now an essential part of maintaining your professional registration.
- By undertaking CPD modules and courses, students demonstrate to employers a commitment to the profession.
- Undertaking modules leads to better career prospects and promotion.
- Modules are aligned to the College of Social Work’s Professional Capabilities Framework ASYE, Social Worker, Experienced Social Worker, and Advanced Social Worker levels.
- Successful completion of the course demonstrates your capability to become a strategic-level social worker.
- The course supports The College of Social Work developmental pathways of Professional Social Work Educator, Advanced Social Work Practitioner and Social Work Manager.
You may also choose to pursue further study and research on our Professional Doctorate (Health and Social Care/Advanced Practitioner/Social Work).
Career Links
Social work at the University of Salford has links with a wide variety of agencies in the Greater Manchester area. We work with local authorities, not-for-profit agencies and the voluntary sector. We work with over 300 agencies and are involved in collaborative training with our local authority partners.
This course and the modules have been designed with the involvement of local employers to support workforce development and the needs of stakeholders.
What you need to know
Applicant profile
The course modules can be accessed as standalone modules for Continuing Professional Development purposes or built towards PGCert/PGDip or MSc in Applied Social Work Practice. You must, therefore, be undertaking primary social work tasks in your employment (or be eligible to do so in the case of newly qualified students).
English language requirements
If your first language is not English you must possess a current qualification deemed acceptable by the University as evidence of proficiency in the English Language. Such a qualification must equate to a minimum average score of 6 or above (and for each component 5.5 or above or complaint with UKBA guidance) from the Cambridge / British Council English Language Testing Service (IELTS) which provides a common international basis for the elaboration of language syllabuses, curriculum, examinations etc. This is broadly comparable to a classification of C1 under the Common European Framework (CEF).
International applicants will be required to show proficiency in English. An IELTS score of 6.0 (no element below 5.5) is proof of this.
Undergraduate degree
- A Bachelor’s degree with a 2:2 honours in Social Work or professional qualification in Social Work (CQSW/DipSW) from the UK.
- Current registration with Social Work England.
- For most CPD modules there is a requirement for the assessment for you to be currently employed and practicing as a social worker in England.
- International social work qualifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis and only if eligible to register with Social Work England. Please check their website for more information.
- As stated in the above entry requirements It is also important to consider for most modules assessments there is a requirement to be currently practising as a social worker in England.
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
We welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully.
The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process could help you to make your work and life experience count. The APL process can be used for entry onto courses or to give you exemptions from parts of your course.
Two forms of APL may be used for entry: the Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).
How much?
| Type of study | Year | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Part-time | 2024/25 |
£950 per 30 credits |
| Part-time | 2025/26 | £1530 per 30 credits |
Additional costs
You should consider additional costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
All Set? Let's Apply
Still have some questions? Register for one of our Open Days or contact us:
By email: enquiries@salford.ac.uk
By phone: +44 (0)161 295 4545