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What (a) Difference a Degree Makes: The Evaluation of the New Social Work Degree in England

Orme, Joan, MacIntyre, Gillian, Green Lister, Pam, Cavanagh, Kate, Crisp, Beth R., Hussein, Shereen, Manthorpe, Jill, Moriarty, Jo, Sharpe, Endellion, Stevens, Martin and others. (2009) What (a) Difference a Degree Makes: The Evaluation of the New Social Work Degree in England. British Journal of Social Work, 39 (1). pp. 161-178. ISSN 0045-3102. (doi:10.1093/bjsw/bcm095) (Access to this publication is currently restricted. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:68407)

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Abstract

After many years of debate in the UK about the need for a degree-level qualification in social work, the arguments for a minimum degree-level qualification were accepted. The requirements for the degree in England were developed drawing on work from a number of sources, including a benchmark statement for undergraduate degrees in social work and focus groups with stakeholders. The new degree in England, launched in 2003, involves one extra years study; improvements in the qualifying standard for social work; and specific curriculum and entrance requirements. At the time of launching the degree, the government department responsible for funding (Department of Health) commissioned a three-year evaluation of the implementation of the new degree to establish whether the new qualifying level leads to improvements in the qualified workforce. The aim of the evaluation is to describe the experiences of those undertaking the degree, collect the views of the various stakeholders about the effectiveness of the degree and measure the impact of a degree-level qualification on those entering the workforce. This article, written by the team undertaking the evaluation of the England degree, explores the reasons for the methodological approach adopted and the issues that have arisen in setting up the research.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1093/bjsw/bcm095
Additional information: Unmapped bibliographic data: M3 - Article [Field not mapped to EPrints] U2 - 10.1093/bjsw/bcm095 [Field not mapped to EPrints] JO - British Journal of Social Work [Field not mapped to EPrints]
Uncontrolled keywords: social work qualification, evaluation, professional training, education, research methods
Subjects: H Social Sciences
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research
Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Personal Social Services Research Unit
Depositing User: Shereen Hussein
Date Deposited: 13 Nov 2018 11:49 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:25 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/68407 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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