NI Degree in Social Work Joanne Lytle Professional

NI Degree in Social Work Joanne Lytle Professional Officer (NIDSWP)

What is the NI Degree in Social Work �A recognised professional qualification for social workers in UK � Generic sectors training for all social work settings and � Standardised by Northern Ireland social Care Council to meet the same standards and provide the same qualification across all institutions

NI Degree in Social Work Structure � Two o o Full time courses: 3 Year Undergraduate Route (UGR) 2 Year Relevant Graduate Route (RGR) (No part time courses) � Split between academic teaching and Practice Learning Opportunity (PLO) ◦ First PLO – 85 days ◦ Second PLO – 100 days

Is Social Work for you? � Why I wanted to be a social worker? � Why would you like to be a Social Worker?

Are You…. . �A good listener � Patient � An Advocate � Enabler � Good with time management � Respectful � Adult learner

Experience � � Paid or Voluntary in Social Care and other settings Life Experience: Making a difference in other peoples lives Caring responsibilities: Family/friend/good neighbour Community/citizenship: Community involvement/action/support Not just about what experience you have, its about what you have learned, enjoyed, motivated you from this experience that has prepared you to train to be a social work. Is now the right time?

What to think about…. � � � Understand what social work is – role, professional responsibilities, balance of enabling and protecting Consider your motivation, values, openness to learning, new ideas, flexibility, time management Are you comfortable with use of authority and power, restriction of rights and liberty, legal frameworks? Reflect on your self awareness, resiliency & ability to self care Consider your work life balance: academic study, placement and your personal priorities Audit yours skills and values

A career in Social Work gives you… � � � � � � When you become a Social Worker, you will have the opportunity to make a positive difference in people’s lives, and to champion human rights and social justice. You will be part of a profession where you feel a sense of accomplishment and fulfilment. You can apply for an incentive payment of £ 4, 500 for each year of study if you live and study Social Work in Northern Ireland, You can expect to choose from a number of social work employers - the Health and Social Care Trusts, Probation, Youth Justice, the Education Authority or in the third sector (voluntary, community and independent organisations). Your starting salary as a Social Worker can be between £ 22, 000 -£ 30, 000 , depending on the sector you work in. Newly qualified Social Workers receive extra support to develop their skills, knowledge and competence through the ‘Assessed Year in Employment’ Your Social Work training will blend academic and practice learning, offering you direct contact with service users and carers. When you graduate, there will be a variety of job choices working across the life-span (with children, adolescents, adults and older people); as part of specialist teams (mental health, addictions, family support) residential and day care settings, hospitals, schools, prisons and community development projects. As a qualified Social Worker, your career will offer excellent opportunities for promotion, and access to high quality post-qualifying courses at Master’s and doctoral level for continuous personal and professional development. Your Degree in Social Work will enable you to work in countries outside of the UK throughout your career.

The NI Degree in Social Work is unique: Partnership (NIDSWP) Designated Practice Learning Providers (DPLP’s) Universities/Colleges Service Users & Carers QUB, UU, BMC, SWC Department of Health (DOH) Social Work Students Northern Ireland Social Care Council

Equity and Fairness for Students The Degree Partnership promotes consistency and maximises equity for students through regional approaches and arrangements for: � Student selection - Admissions � Practice learning - PLO � Course content – Curriculum Design & Delivery Regulation by Northern Ireland Social Care Council

Preparation Be prepared: Ø Northern Ireland Social Care Council digital resource: www. niscc. info: NISCC Learning Zone, Learning Resources, A Career in Social Work, Open Adapt Module, Start ‘What is Social Work’ Ø https: //learningzone. niscc. info/storage/adapt/5 dcd 268 c 8 ed e 0/index. html#/ Ø Read introductory texts to social work/journals Ø Talk to social workers about their job Ø Talk to service users and carers – are you who they want to support them? Ø Attend information sessions in the universities/colleges

If Social Work is for you: Selection Process All Applications through UCAS online: www. ucas. com If meet entry requirements, required to complete an additional 600 word personal statement If meet the threshold criteria, called for interview If meet the interview threshold criteria, an offer may be made directly from the institution.

� Purpose Personal Statement is to assess suitability for social work and shortlist for Interview � 600 words � Assessed on 3 questions; Motivation to apply for SW Degree, Understanding of SW role, Values being brought to SW training. � Assessment also includes written communication � Marked by academic and employer organisation trained staff.

Interview 20 minute interview � � 1. 2. Two panel members: Academic and employer organisation representatives Two parts: Seen Case Scenario- 10 minute session before the interview to view and prepare. Interview- 6 Questions Two questions associated with case scenario and four generic questions All include - understanding of social work profession, motivation, diversity, values, skills & knowledge

Pathways Onto the NI Degree in Social Work

Remember…. . � Use the Northern Ireland Social Care Council digital resource: ‘A Career in Social Work’ …. it will walk you through the process! Don’t give up, if you’re not successful, take a year out, build on your experience and try again

Resources Ø Northern Ireland Social Care Council ◦ https: //niscc. info/degree-in-social-work ØDo. H ◦ https: //www. health-ni. gov. uk (Do. H Improving & Safeguarding Social Wellbeing: The purpose of Social Work) ØNIDSWP ◦ www. nidswp. net (Regional Practice Learning Handbook & Information for Applicants)

Questions Please refer to guidance at: www. qub. ac. uk www. ulster. ac. uk www. belfastmet. ac. uk www. swc. ac. uk www. nidswp. net www. niscc. net www. basw. co. uk