IT skills
IT skills are increasingly important in almost all professions. In the social work sector IT is now a vital tool for accessing and maintaining service user records, accessing literature about social work interventions and conducting practice-related research. As a student you will receive an introduction to IT near the beginning of your course and you will be provided with computer access and your own email address. During the course you will be expected to use your developing IT skills to produce assignments, to conduct literature searches, and to use agency record systems in a practice setting.
Occupational health checks
Social Work is physically and mentally demanding and we need to be sure you are fit and well and able to withstand the rigours of the course and the occupation. Places are offered subject to passing an OH check, and this will be carried out by the Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust. There are some medical conditions that might cause a problem. Examples are: deafness, blindness, eczema (or other dermatological allergic reactions) on exposed areas, epilepsy, severe back problems and mental health conditions. If you have one of these conditions, or some other condition or disability which you believe may affect your ability to complete the course, you can contact us for more guidance.
You will be required to provide a record of your immunity status or be vaccinated or have the required blood tests. You may need to ask your GP or current OH department or find your childhood vaccination record for details of your past immunisation records. You should be aware that there may be charges made (for which you will be liable) relating to your gaining the appropriate immunity required prior to starting your training programme.
Driving
The role of the social work student encompasses a range of statutory tasks. This can mean students work across wide geographical areas. This can include visits to other areas of the country at times.
Given the nature of our location, employers and practice partners expect students to be able to get to rural and remote locations independently, in the course of practice-based learning. This means having access to personal transport is often a requirement.
Employers each have their own policies for reimbursement of travel expenses incurred as part of the student’s role in practice. Drivers will need to have business mileage included in their insurance.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check (previously known as CRB)
All successful applicants will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barred List check; this will be a condition of offer and will need to be completed prior to commencing the course. Please see the Government website for the most up to date information.
Before you start the course in September, BU will carry out an enhanced DBS check. When you get the certificate, please take care of it. You need to provide this for your practice placement provider to see before you start your first substantive placement.
We also make a strong recommendation that you sign up to the online update service that keeps your DBS up to date, meaning any employer (who you wish) can check your DBS without starting from scratch. The fee for this service is £13 per annum.
Refusing immunisations
The University has an expectation that all students will comply with the vaccination programme as it is Public Health England requirement for healthcare workers and social workers to have certain immunisations. This ensures that you will be able to undertake the wide range of training placements that your course will require and aims to keep you, as well as the people in your care as safe as possible. Please note that at this time Covid-19 vaccinations are not a mandatory requirement for health or social care workers and so are therefore not a mandatory requirement for health or social care students either. Occasionally some vaccinations are contraindicated in certain medical conditions. Occupational Health (OH) will advise the University in these cases. The University will consider students on an individual basis. Refusal to have immunisations may result in the student not being allowed to attend practice placement and being withdrawn from the course. There is no opportunity to appeal against the requirements of the immunisation policy.
Consent for roleplay and practical activities
It is important that you understand what will be expected of you as a student studying for both an academic award and professional qualification in social work. You must agree to participate in roleplay and practical activities within the Social Work course at Bournemouth University as detailed in this document. As participation is a requirement for successful competition of the course, failure to comply with these expectations could lead to disciplinary action.
