Applied Systemic Theory (ref. D4)
This course is designed to meet the training needs of professionals working or wanting to work with couples, families and other systems in Mental Health Trusts and other settings.
Who is this course for?
Professionals working, or wanting to work, with couples, families and other systems in Mental Health Trusts and other settings, such as social and health care and voluntary agencies.
Aims
Focuses across the age range of older adults', adults' and children's services.
Consists of theoretical seminars and lectures, application groups, whole course events, consulting partnerships and peer group projects.
Application of theory and skills development to participants' own agency setting will be encouraged.
Tailored to an agency setting.
Content/Teaching components
• Develop the theoretical framework needed to explore perspectives for working with individuals, couples, families, work groups and organisations.
• Apply systemic ideas to your current practice.
• Explore contemporary developments and practice.
The theory seminars will examine and critically evaluate the theoretical basis of systems approaches and their development.
Students will be expected to interlink their prior learning in examining how systems theory expands their understanding of human relationships and wider systems.
The seminars will introduce the basic concepts of systems thinking, with a particular emphasis on interactional processes and the importance of context.
The application groups are smaller groups led by teaching staff which enable students to apply the theoretical ideas to their current work experience.
How to apply
Students wanting to APEL in to year two
If you are applying to APEL you will need to complete application form D4 APEL to year 2.
For you to be considered to APEL you will need to give details of the introductory course in systemic approaches you have completed. For applicants who completed an introductory course at another institution, you will need to email or post a copy of the course curriculum, method of assessment and a copy of the award gained to the course administrator at the time you apply.
If you are unsure the course you completed will support your application to APEL, we advise you send these details to the course administrator before you complete the D4 APEL to year 2 application form. The course administrator will then be able to advise you on how best to proceed.
In section 7 (Personal Statement) of the application form you are asked to write a 300-700 word statement in support of your application. In this section you need to include aspects of your learning in Year 1 that have interested you and the aspects you wish to develop.
It is a requirement of the course in year 2 that you are currently working with families and are able to audio or video record interviews. Please contact the course administrator if you should have a problem with this.
For the 2010/11 intake only London, Kent and Sussex centres will be able to APEL students to Year 2.Please read the guide to APEL below which has more information about applying to APEL.
Professional accreditation
The courses have been accredited by University of East London. Year 1 may be taken as a Postgraduate Certificate. Successful completion of year one and two leads to the award of Postgraduate Diploma. Year 2 has PGEA approval.
The course is accredited by the General Social Care Council. Qualified Social Workers will be eligible for the Higher Specialist Award in Social Work.
Time commitment
Year 1 and 2 courses run yearly in London and Kent and every two years in Oxford and Sussex.
Courses run on Fridays (London and Kent) and on Monday evenings (Oxford and Sussex).
The total commitment is 86.5 hours (Year 1), 112 hours (Year 2) with significant additional time in meeting as consulting partners, preparing group projects and in individual study.
Entry requirement
Applicants are generally expected to have a previous discipline such as social work, nursing, teaching, medicine, psychology, psychiatry, psychology or counselling.
Applicants who don't have such a discipline are welcome to apply to year 1 and year 2 of the training but should be aware that due to the recent health service initiatives their chances of gaining employment in the health service as a family or systemic therapist are unlikely at present.
Regional courses are held in:
Sussex (ref. D4S)
Oxford (ref. D4X)
Kent (ref. D4K)
