Applied Social Policy: Older Adults BA (Hons)

Populations across the western world are undergoing demographic change as people are healthier and live longer lives.

Social policy is crucial in rising to this challenge by creating appropriate responses to enable and secure improvements to the lives of individuals and their families. Running for the first time in September 2013, this degree provides you with not only the opportunity to study social policy as a core subject, but also to apply the theories and concepts to interventions and policies related to older people. You will be introduced to the ideological underpinnings and theoretical principles of social policy and appreciate the influences these have upon change in the composition of populations.

Opportunities for work-based learning in the field and a student focused approach promote the development of sector skills such as communication, reflection, research, professional reflexivity, and engagement with the value base of work with older people and their families.

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UCAS code

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Study options

Single or Joint Honours
Flexible study options with full and part-time routes available
Inter-professional modules
Opportunities for work-based learning

Get in touch

Admissions Office
01905 855111
admissions@worc.ac.uk

260 UCAS tariff points

Accredited Prior Learning/Experiential Learning (APL/APEL) considered

Modules

Examples of Course Content

Introduction to Rights & Legislative Frameworks
Introduction to Social Policy
Learning from the Past: the Historical Development of Social Policy
Equality & Inequalities in Society
Conceptualising Health in Older Adults
Theorising the Family
Interpersonal Skills for the Workplace
Contextualising the Family: Culture, Diversity & the Family in a Changing World
Research: Process & Practice
Mental Health & the Older Adult
Social Model of Disability
Safeguarding the Family (Children, Adults & Young People)
Work-based Learning (subject specific)
Housing for All
Family, Gender & Work
Facilitating Group Work
User Involvement in Policy & Practice
Professional Judgement & Decision Making
Mental Health Interventions with Older Adults
Citizenship & Personalisation
Leading & Managing
Domestic Abuse
Substance Misuse
Counselling Theory & Practice

Assessment

A variety of assessment methods are used to ensure that your final grade is an accurate reflection of your performance during the course. Knowledge, reflection, communication, research and presentation skills are assessed using essays, case studies, tests, presentations and seminars.

Academic department

Institute of Health & Society

“The University is a leading innovator in the fields of health and social care. Unique appointments such as the UK’s first professors of perinatal education and tissue viability demonstrate our commitment to research excellence.”
Louise Jones, Head of Institute

Employability

Social policy provides career opportunities within a wide range of organisations and services with statutory, voluntary and private employers who value the analytical skills that the degree endows. This includes work within a variety of different professions including policy analysis and monitoring, public administration, personal social services, housing, community development and welfare rights.

The applied focus of the degree also provides an ideal grounding for direct work with older people as service users. Postgraduate study is a further option with popular choices such as MA Social Work (qualifying award), MA Social Policy, and MA Dynamics of Domestic Violence, offering appropriate professional development.

Health & Society News

University's Health Leader Takes on Two Influential Roles - Tuesday, 22 May 2012

The Head of the University of Worcester’s Institute of Health and Society has been appointed to two important external roles.
Nursing Students Receive Vital Training in Working with People Living with Dementia - Wednesday, 25 April 2012

First year nursing students at the University of Worcester are to take part in a one-day conference about working with people living with dementia.
Student Nurses Walk Five Miles Between University and Hospital for Cancer Research UK - Monday, 23 April 2012

Seven student nurses from the University of Worcester under took a five mile charity walk after being inspired by their studies.