Social Work

Social work is a regulated profession dedicated to supporting individuals, families, and communities facing some of the most complex and challenging circumstances that life presents: abuse and neglect, mental ill health, disability, poverty, homelessness, and a range of other situations where people need skilled, compassionate, and legally informed support. It is a demanding and deeply rewarding vocation, requiring practitioners who can think critically, act ethically, and work effectively within complex organisational and legal frameworks while maintaining the human relationships at the heart of the work.

At the University of Chichester, this three-year full-time programme is approved by Social Work England, the professional regulator, meaning that graduates who meet the required standards are eligible to register and practise as qualified social workers. You will study child protection, adult social care, mental health, family law, social policy, and the theoretical frameworks from sociology and psychology that underpin social work practice. Placements in practice settings are central to the degree, giving you supervised experience of real social work across different service areas and client groups.

You will develop the skills of assessment, intervention, report writing, and multi-agency working that qualified social workers need.

The degree also develops your ability to engage with research, to reflect critically on your practice, and to understand the legal and ethical obligations that define the professional role. These are capabilities that social workers need throughout their careers.

Qualified social workers work in local authority children's services and adult social care, hospitals, mental health services, the voluntary sector, and a range of other settings. Many specialise in particular areas, including child protection, looked-after children, community care, or mental health. Postgraduate study and continuing professional development are ongoing features of a social work career.