Access to Higher Education Diploma: Social Work

Overview

To introduce students to the changing discourses between the population, welfare and politics by recognising and evaluating different theories on social policy. Students will be more aware of how social policy affects their own lives as well as others within the U.K.

The subject will be useful for those interested in social policy, social work, and sociology degrees.

Students will face different assessment types. These different methods will prepare students for their chosen degrees as exams, essays and presentations will all feature within the chosen pathway degrees. There will also be a placement required for the Professional Communication in Social Work which will allow those applying for Social Work degrees a better chance of attaining a place at the university of their choice.

Module details

Roles and Responsibilities of a Social Worker

What does a Social Worker do? What qualities, skills and values do they have? What attributes must a social worker have, and can the student recognise and identify some of those qualities such as patience, resilience and respect?

Professional Communication in Social Work

How do we communicate? How can we communicate better? Verbal and non-verbal signs (semiotics) play a significant role in interactions. Embedded within are discourses around power and agency. Systems of control are also explored and defined, and students will produce an 8–10-minute presentation describing and exploring their future roles.

The Law in Social Work Part 1

Using a workbook, the student will recognise and understand the processes of how legislation is created, how it is applied, and identify cases where the law has been challenged, such as the Cleveland Case.

The Law in Social Work Part 2

Students will work through three serious case inquiries into historical cases of abuse: Kimberley Carlile, Jasmine Beckford, and Operation Bullfinch. These cases draw questions of how legislation has largely failed to identify and protect children whilst also missing opportunities to learn valuable lessons.

Equality and Diversity in Social Work Part 1

Students work independently to identify a social issue related to the Equality Act 2010. Students produce a report intended to be a deeper evaluation of their social issue and direct the work toward a specific audience.

Equality and Diversity in Social Work Part 2

Students compare and contrast the Human Rights Act with the Equality Act 1998 and present an evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the two pieces of legislation

Overview

Sociology explores the nature of society. It is one of several social sciences (including psychology, anthropology, politics, economics and law) which studies human behaviour. What makes sociology different is that it explores the importance of the relationships between members of social groups, rather than individuals themselves. There are many different social groups in existence, for example: families, schools, workplaces and peer groups. Social groups shape an individual’s thoughts, actions, personality and identity.

Module details

Sociological Theory; An Introduction

In this introductory, ungraded unit, you will gain an understanding of three very influential theories – Marxism, functionalism and feminism – and how they have tried to explain the nature and purpose of the family.

Class and Stratification

Does social class still matter in the twenty-first century? In this unit, you will explore the nature of inequality and how it affects people’s lives, for example, their level of health and educational achievement. You will continue to build on your theoretical understanding by studying the perspectives of Weber and others.

Crime and Deviance

Why do people sometimes behave in ways that society deems ‘unacceptable’? What happens when they do? In this unit, you will explore a wide range of issues, including media representations of crime, individual experiences and statistical evidence. A number of theoretical explanations will be evaluated.

Sociology of Health

What is health? Is it a biological or a social concept? What do we mean when we talk about our ‘mental health’? What place do medical professionals have in society? These are just some of the questions we discuss in this unit.

Overview

Designed for students who would like to follow careers in social work and other related professions. Psychology is the study of the mind and behaviour. Psychology is a multifaceted discipline and includes many fields of study such as human development, sports, health, clinical, social and cognitive processes. The course content covers some topics related to different areas of developmental psychology, mental health and also some general psychological issues.

Module details

Research Methods in Psychology

This introductory unit is the groundwork for psychology. You will learn the various methods of how psychologists study human behaviour, such as the traditional laboratory experiment, the discreet observations, and case studies on a range of psychological areas of study.

Psychopathology

This unit explores different approaches in psychology, such as cognitive, biological, and behavioural approaches. It then seeks to explain the causes of various mental disorders from those viewpoints by considering theories and research evidence.

Key Studies in Psychology

Here you delve into six key studies within the history of Psychology, all fascinating, and some rather gritty with surprising outcomes. This unit will particularly build on the initial research methods unit by delving into key laboratory experiments, observations, and case studies. This unit heavily encourages debate each week as part of preliminary discussions surrounding ethical considerations that may or may not have been adhered to, as well as how findings of the study relate to the real world.

Early Social Development

This unit explores the differing psychological views about social development (attachment) with particular attention being paid to the nature vs nurture debate. Theories of attachment are examined using Bowlby’s theory and Ainsworth and Bell’s research. The long-term impacts of early experiences are examined.

Treatments and Therapies

You will gain an insight into the different treatments available for various mental health disorders, from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to Psychosurgery. This unit requires you to choose a mental health disorder of your choice, where you discuss the various treatments and therapies available, thus giving an opportunity for you to delve further into mental health disorders that may have previously piqued your interest.

Study skills provides you with some essential skills necessary to complete your Access Diploma and progress onto undergraduate study and is regarded as increasingly important by degree programme admissions tutors. Study skills is comprised of two units: Progression Skills and English for Academic Study. In your study skills lessons, we aim to provide you with a range of new skills or to give you the opportunity to develop existing skills.