Advanced Social Work Children Young People & Families

The overarching aim of this new programme is to enable child and family social work practitioners working in a range of social care settings in both the statutory and voluntary sectors, to develop advanced knowledge and skills to enhance their practice within their current work setting. The programme will develop students’ understanding of the contemporary children’s social care environment, current themes and practice debates, including: evidence-based assessment and intervention; core and advanced systemic practice skills; effective engagement with service users (children, parents, carers and wider family members); and ethical tensions and challenges. It will emphasise the translation of learning into effective practice through a clear focus on values, critical thinking, reflective practice and skills development linked to the student’s practice context that will be incorporated within both teaching and assessment methods. Students will be equipped with the intellectual and practical skills to engage in research inquiry at an advanced level, developing their capacity to incorporate practice research into their everyday practice and to answer complex research questions aimed at improving practice and service delivery for vulnerable children and their families.

Core Modules

Specialist Practice Dissertation (60 credits)

Strengthening parenting and caregiving (20 credits)

An introduction to Core Systemic Practice (20 credits)

Contemporary Issues and Knowledge (20 credits)

Social work planning, intervention and service development with children and families (20 credits)

Advanced Systemic Practice skills for child and family social work (20 credits)

Complex risk assessment and decision making (0 credits)

Entrance requirements

Applicants should normally hold a second-class honours degree or higher. Where this academic requirement is not met, they must satisfy the programme lead that their experience and qualifications equip them to undertake postgraduate study through a written assignment.



Applicants must also possess a social work qualification recognised by the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) and be registered with the Council.



Applicants should have completed their assessed year in employment (AYE).



All applicants must be currently engaged for at least 12 hours per week in a children’s social care setting in a capacity in which core social work values underpin their practice with service users or carers.



Applicants must be enrolled on the PiP Consolidation or Specialist Award on the NISCC portal.



International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region at https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/international-students/your-country/



English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 7.0, with not less than 6.0 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).



International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.



For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.



If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

Closing date for applications Friday 31st July 2026 at 4pm



Late applications may be considered



Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal prior to the deadline stated on course finder. Notifications to this effect will appear on the application portal against the programme application page.

3 years (Part-time)

Entry Year: Academic Year 2026/27

Career Prospects

Introduction

This programme provides knowledge and skills which are highly valued in both child and adult services across health and social care.