University of Wolverhampton, Graduate Diploma, Social Work (post-qualifying specialist)

Students have an opportunity to reflect critically upon their own practice and/or experience through the study of published generic and specialist standards; students analyse social work's value base and relate their findings to their own practice; the programme considers social justice in relation to social work, including the structural factors which impact upon people's lives and bring about marginalisation and discrimination; those following the adult pathway critically explore the process used for assessment of need, and the planning and commissioning of services for safeguarding adults and promoting well being in a multi-agency context; students also develop a clearer understanding of the varied and complicated wants, needs and experiences of adult social care service users; those specialising in children, young people, their families and carers discuss a range of issues relating to the safeguarding of children and young people within contemporary social work practice, together with the complex social, psychological and emotional needs of looked-after children; students undertake a work-based learning and assessment module, where they can demonstrate competency within their own social work settings, working to published standards and professional values; expertise delivering mentoring or teaching for students and colleagues is expanded, together with the specialist-level skills required for professional communication; students gain a holistic understanding of learning disability.