Transcript of this podcast (pdf)
Social work is one of the most rewarding careers in the care sector – whether you’re supporting families and individuals at times of crisis, helping to protect the most vulnerable members of society or acting as an advocate to promote the best outcome for your clients.
It’s also one of the most demanding, requiring highly skilled people educated to degree level – but don’t let that put you off. The Open University is the largest provider of part-time social work training in the UK. We’re also famous for our openness, supporting anyone who wants to get back into education – whether you’re taking your first steps on the learning ladder, or an experienced learner looking for high-level professional development. We offer:
- short introductory modules to give you a taste of a new subject area (such as children, health, law or society) and get you back into studying
- a Certificate of Higher Education in Social Care, ideal if you’re wondering if social work is for you or if you’re and employer looking for development opportunities for staff in social work support roles
- a new Diploma of Higher Education in Social Care (Scotland)
- a work-based honours degree in social work (offered in partnership with employers), for people already working in the care sector
- a top-up degree to enable Social Workers with a DipSW to achieve an honours degree.
Our curriculum is developed by leading academics and professionals who are actively engaged in social work, ensuring that teaching reflects current priorities. We’re also pioneers in working collaboratively with service users, whose voices are heard throughout our learning materials – challenging and enriching the contributions of practitioners and policy makers alike.
OU expert contribution
Engaging fathers in child protection
Health & Social Care’s Professor Brid Featherstone has top billing at a conference organised by Community Care on Engaging Fathers in Child Protection.
The event to be held in London on 13th June 2012 will address the evidence that supports the importance of fathers’ engagement with their children’s live versus the evaluation of serious case reviews which reveals a lack of attention to the role of fathers – and the fact that fathers feel marginalised and invisible to their children and to professionals as either a risk or as a resource.
Brid’s contribution will be based on her substantial experience of working in and managing child protection cases. Since embarking on an academic career Brid has developed a research profile in working with men in child protection and in exploring the issues that parents face when involved with the child protection system and in family support. As Professor of Social Work since 2006, Brid has become increasingly involved in exploring and advising on the issues around systems design and reform both in England in the Republic of Ireland.
See more about Brid on her profile
And find out about the event on www.communitycareconferences.co.uk/fathers