There will be no intake for this course for 2013-2014.

This professional social work qualification is offered on a distance learning basis to students in employment within relevant settings in Scotland. The degree is approved by the Scottish Social Services Council and meets the requirements for social work training in Scotland.

The course is offered under the partnership arrangements of the Centre for Looked After Children in Scotland (CELCIS) and is delivered free of all course fees for students working with looked after children in Scotland.

A proportion of places will be prioritised for the residential child care work force. 

The award of BA (Hons) Social Work (Residential Child Care) by Distance Learning is available after 4 years with the award of BA in Social Pedagogy after successful completion of Stage 3.

This course is set out as modules delivered through a mixture of lectures, seminars and skills-based workshops during block teaching weeks, monthly group tutorials, projects and practice-based learning within child care and residential child care settings.

Stage 1 (Pre-course)

• 1 year of RPL combination of certificated and experiential learning

Stage 2

• Contextual Studies - Children and Young People
• Child Development
• Law (Introductory and Child Care)
• Reflective Social Work Practice/ Reflective Journal/ Research Methods
• Assessed Practice Learning 1

Stage 3

• Social Work in Criminal Justice, Substance Misuse and Social Work with People with Substance Problems
• Residential Child Care/Processes and Practice
• Safe Care/Child Protection
• Children and Young People, Health and Disability
• Assessed Practice Learning 2

*Exit award of BA in Social Pedagogy is available after successful completion of Stage 3.

Stage 4

• Comparative Studies - Children and Young People
• Ethical Practice/Therapeutic Practice with Children/ Interdisciplinary Practice
• Research Methods/Dissertation

You must have at least Scottish degree level 1 (SCQF 7) by appropriate level of SVQ/NVQ award or HNC/HND or HE award at certificate, diploma or degree level. At course commencement, a minimum of one year's full-time equivalent experience within a relevant child care setting must be held to enter Year 1 at Stage 2.

Advanced Entry - Advanced Entry to Stage 3 may be available to those with relevant qualifications and experience and is by tutor supported Portfolio application. All applications are scrutinised for advanced entry purposes. Entry at this level will reduce course duration to 2 ½ years with a single placement of 100 days.

Other Conditions - A condition of offer of a place on the course is that the relevant employer has been alerted to, has an understanding of and has agreed to, the level of support and availability of practice learning opportunities and practice teaching.

You are required to:

• Undertake on average 10 hours of private study per week
• Attend monthly tutorials
• Participate in ten 5 day long teaching blocks in Aberdeen over a 4 year period
• Undertake a minimum of 1 full time period of practice learning away from the students normal place of work

All students are required to undertake 2 fixed periods of full-time assessed practice, each lasting 80 days, in an approved child care setting, at least one of which will be in residential child care. Both must comply with SSSC requirements for placement contrast and statutory social work.

The Students on this Course do not pay fees to the University.

The course fees are paid by the Scottish Government.

On successful completion of the degree, you will receive the BA (Hons) Social Work (Residential Child Care) which confers eligibility to practice as a social worker within the UK.