Royal Holloway, University of London : Department of Health & Social Care

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Welcome to the Department of Health & Social Care

The Department of Health and Social Care was established in 2002. Since its inception the Department has developed a reputation for delivering high quality research (RAE 2008 45% of its quality profile was ranked 3-4*) across a range of areas by engaging with matters of public concern.

We actively encourage widening access and participation, and liaise with schools and access colleges through information sessions, Open Days and on-campus special events. In addition the social work programmes take employment-based students from partner agencies, many of whom come from non-traditional academic backgrounds. The Department is one of the most successful in the college in terms of widening participation.

The Department runs a long established Masters Programmes in Social Work as well as a successful post-qualifying Graduate Diploma in Work with Children and Families for social workers. This is one of the largest and most successful post qualifying programmes in England and involves a partnership with 30 London boroughs and voluntary agencies. We are also in the process of validating a Graduate Diploma in Work with Adults for 2010. We have a small but vibrant group of research students (PGR) and in the 2008 RAE it was noted that number of doctorates awarded was 'excellent’.

Future objectives

We are now in exciting times with regards social work training and we intend to build and enhance the range of training offered by developing our specialist post-qualifying programme, in line with recent GSCC policy. These and other developments are listed below:

Developing a new MSc in Advanced Practice, drawing on its experience in teaching the Graduate Diploma in work with Children and Families. The MSc will be planned in collaboration with the West London Life Long Learning Networkt;

Establishing a Graduate Diploma in Work with Adults, building on and complementing the existing Post qualifying programme; this will be a mixed delivery programme blending traditional taught route and work based and distance learning
Providing a Professional Doctorate, as part of the South West London Academic Network, St George’s University of London/Kingston University Joint Faculty;

Continuing the development and provision of enhanced use of electronic resources and virtual learning environments;

Throughout this period of growth and development we will continue to deliver and strengthen our high quality programmes.

Latest News

Please note that there will be no intake of the BSc in Social Work for September 2010

Social Work Taskforce Final Report

South West London Academic Network – Interprofessional Institute (SWAN-IPI): A cross-institution series of seminars & workshops, with the aim of generating expert discussion and collaborative working across three Universities. One seminar per term, beginning on 25 November at Kingston University:
INTER-DISCIPLINARY APPROACHES TO ABUSE AND TRAUMA IN OFFENDERS Reviewing offender behaviour and profile in relation to experience of victimisation/trauma

Research, Access and Context study day on 18 November at Lifespan RADAR - the ethical and legal implications of archiving and secondary analysis in social-scientific research, addressing themes surrounding the preservation and access management of sensitive life histories.

Professional Power, identity, structures and cultures: Bringing the outside in
Seminar series convened by Paula Nicolson - visit our news section

Free Seminars for Line Managers

SUCCESSFUL JISC FUNDING FOR LIFESPAN RADAR!
(Lifespan Initiative for the Research and Data Archive Repository)

New scholarships in Health and Social Care

Changing Families, Changing Food Final report pdf

Centre for Abuse and Trauma Studies (CATS) joint venture

Social Work Service User and Carer Advisory Group webpages