BA Social Work (including Foundation Year)
About this course
Social work is one of the most directly purposeful of all the degree-level professions, dedicated to supporting people who are experiencing vulnerability, adversity, or disadvantage. Social workers work with children and families, older people, adults with disabilities, people with mental health difficulties, and those caught up in the criminal justice system, advocating for their rights and wellbeing while navigating complex legal, institutional, and ethical landscapes. It is a profession that demands both strong analytical and decision-making skills and a genuine commitment to social justice. At the University of Chester, this four-year programme includes a foundation year that builds the academic and contextual knowledge needed before you begin the main professional degree. The social work programme itself is approved by Social Work England, the regulatory body for the profession, and leads on successful completion to eligibility to register and practise as a social worker. Across the programme, you will study human development, social policy, law as it relates to social work, research methods, and the theoretical frameworks that underpin professional practice. Practice placements are a substantial component of the degree, giving you supervised experience in real practice settings across the statutory and voluntary sectors. Chester's strong connections to social work agencies in the North West support these placements. Social work is a profession with a clear and structured career path. Newly qualified social workers typically join local authority children's services or adult services teams, where they develop their practice under supervision and work towards completing their Assessed and Supported Year in Employment. With experience, social workers can specialise in areas such as child protection, family support, mental health, learning disabilities, or substance misuse, and can progress into senior practitioner, team manager, or consultant roles. Some move into social work education and research, contributing to the professional knowledge base. The demand for qualified social workers in the UK consistently exceeds supply, and graduates find secure employment across the statutory, voluntary, and independent sectors.
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