MSc in Advanced Residential Child Care

The MSc has been developed within the Glasgow School of Social Work (GSSW) as one of the objectives of SIRCC. It is unique in the UK in offering a Master’s-level award specifically in residential child care. The programme enables practitioners to enhance their knowledge, practice and research in residential child care and to develop the role and status of residential child care in Scotland.

Course Overview

• Students can expect to contribute to professional leadership, practice development and research and evaluation in their own agencies and beyond
• The primary aim of the course is to help practitioners in residential child care develop therapeutic environments and interventions
• An underlying theme is that of critical enquiry
• Participants are challenged to reflect upon a wide range of themes and issues relevant to residential child care

The course is recognised by the SSSC as a relevant award for registered managers in residential child care.

Assessment

Assessment is through a practice-based portfolio. Students need sufficient access to residential child care settings through which they might evidence practice requirements. However, these requirements are broad enough to allow those in external management, training, or other positions to do so.

Course Content and Structure

The course is modular and requires attendance at the University for five days per single module. Students are expected to complete eight taught modules over a 16-month period. A further eight months is allotted for completion of a practice-based dissertation. Students can therefore complete the Master’s award in two years, although most take longer to do so. Over and above time spent in the University, students will need to undertake considerable additional study to fulfil the requirements of the course. Some students may be able to negotiate study time/support with their employing agency.

Following an induction day all students will attend the following modules:

• Perspectives on Residential Child Care
• Critical Enquiry in Residential Child Care
• Leading and Learning in Residential Child Care (double module)
• Understanding and Assessing Children and Young People in Residential Child Care (double module)
• Intervening Effectively in Residential Child Care
• Methods of Professional Enquiry: Ethical and Effective Research in Residential Child Care
• Professional Development and Enquiry in Residential Child Care (incorporating a dissertation of 10,000-15,000 words)

Numbers on Programme

The course will admit approximately 15 students per year to the programme.

Fees

Fees for this programme are funded through the Scottish Government grant award to SIRCC. Neither individual students nor employing agencies will be liable for these.

Applications

Applications are welcome from suitably qualified and experienced practitioners in residential child care. University regulations normally require candidates to have a first degree (minimum 360 SCOTCAT credit points) but those with a professional, non-graduate social work qualification are eligible to apply if they can demonstrate the ability to complete a Masters level programme.

Application Forms

These will be distributed to agencies and units around February of each year for September enrolment. They can also be obtained from the Glasgow School of Social Work.

Further Information

For Further Information or Informal Discussion Contact:

Laura Steckley, Course Director
MSc Advanced Residential Child Care
Scottish Institute for Residential Child Care
Glasgow School of Social Work
Sir Henry Wood Building
Strathclyde University
76 Southbrae Drive
GLASGOW
G13 1PP

Email: laura.l.steckley@strath.ac.uk
Phone: 0141 950 3380 (ext. 3122)
Fax: 0141 950 3474