Social Work

Social work is a profession grounded in a commitment to social justice, human rights and the wellbeing of individuals and communities who are vulnerable, disadvantaged or marginalised. Social workers operate across a wide range of settings, including child protection, adult social care, mental health services, substance misuse, homelessness and domestic abuse, and their role is both to support people in navigating complex systems and to advocate for those whose voices are not heard. The work is demanding: it requires emotional resilience, clear ethical thinking and the ability to make difficult decisions under pressure.

At Anglia Ruskin University this three-year full-time programme leads to a qualification recognised by Social Work England, the professional regulator, and is designed to prepare you for practice in a range of social work settings. The course is built around the integration of academic learning and direct practice: you will spend time in placement with real service users and organisations as a central part of your training, not as an optional addition. The course description is direct about the nature of the work, acknowledging that this is a challenging career that brings you into the lives of some of the most disadvantaged and marginalised communities in society.

Choosing this degree is a serious decision and ARU takes seriously the responsibility of preparing you for it.

You will study social work theory and law, human development, safeguarding, ethics and values, research methods and the policy frameworks that govern social care. You will develop skills in assessment, communication, risk management and multi-agency working, and you will be supported to reflect critically on your own practice and on the structural forces that shape the lives of the people you work with.

Graduates register with Social Work England and work in local authority children's and adults' services, the voluntary sector, NHS settings, schools and housing organisations. Career progression leads to senior practitioner, team manager and specialist roles. Some graduates go on to postgraduate study in specific areas of practice or social policy, or into academic and research careers.