Social Work Practice

Social work is a regulated profession concerned with supporting individuals, families, and communities facing some of the most complex challenges in human life, including child protection, domestic abuse, mental health difficulties, substance misuse, disability, older age, and poverty. Social workers operate within legal and ethical frameworks that both empower and constrain their practice, and they are required to make difficult judgements under conditions of uncertainty and risk, often with significant consequences for the people they work with. The degree combines social science theory, applied ethics, law, psychology, and direct practice learning to produce graduates who are ready to enter the profession and go on registering with Social Work England.

At the University of Lincoln, this three-year full-time BSc Social Work Practice uses a blended learning model that combines online lectures with regular face-to-face skills development, providing a flexible and innovative approach to professional education. The programme is underpinned by practice placements, which are required for professional qualification and give you direct experience of working alongside qualified social workers in real practice settings. You will develop knowledge of human development across the lifespan, social policy and legislation, social work theories and methods, safeguarding frameworks, and the ethical and anti-discriminatory principles that underpin effective professional practice.

Graduates are eligible to register with Social Work England as qualified social workers and to practise across a wide range of settings. The most common areas of practice include children's services, adult services, mental health social work, and hospital social work. The majority of social workers in the UK are employed by local authorities, but roles also exist in NHS trusts, third-sector organisations, schools, prisons, and independent practice.

Career progression leads to advanced practitioner, practice educator, manager, and consultant roles. Many qualified social workers continue to postgraduate study in specialist areas such as child protection, mental health, or social policy.