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’ (view list of Health and Social CareMPhil/PhD Students).

The department hosts two research centres based in its Central London premises at Bedford Square. The Lifespan Research Group investigates psychosocial risk factors in families for psychological disorders in the community. The Centre for Abuse and Trauma Studies, jointly run by Kingston University, examines the effects of trauma on victims and offenders. Both research centres undertake Knowledge Exchange with health, social care and criminal justice services running workshops and training sessions for a multi-agency professionals

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;
We are developing our programme of research within our two Centres, applying for larger research council funding
We are extending our range of continuing professional development training courses and workshops through our two research centres, in collaboration with national training agencies

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

Centre for Abuse and Trauma recent events:
• House of Lords – Internet Safety (visit our news section)
• One-day workshop with European Society for Trauma and Stress Studies- (visit our news section)

South West London Academic Network (Swan) collaboration with SGUL and KU: 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:
• INTER-DISCIPLINARY APPROACHES TO ABUSE AND TRAUMA IN OFFENDERS Reviewing offender behaviour and profile in relation to experience of victimisation/trauma (visit our news section)
• 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

New scholarships in Health and Social Care

Changing Families, Changing Food Final report pdf

Social Work Service User and Carer Advisory Group webpages