Social Work - Service User and Carers Information

This is a resource for students, staff and service users.

Social Work at Coventry University is an associated discipline operating within the Department of Social and Community Studies. It has been delivered for over 45  years and  has a long  history of  involving providers and users of services. Our programmes are  accredited by the General Social Care Council (GSCC) and require service user and carer involvement as central to delivery. The programmes include the Undergraduate Social Work BA Honours degree and Postgraduate level programmes in Leadership and Management, Practice Education and Mental Health Studies.

Why do we involve service users and carers?

The involvement of service users and carers in the design and delivery of social work programmes offers an opportunity for a new generation of social workers to gain an understanding of service users and carers' experiences and expectations from the very start of their training and careers.

Purpose of involvement

The social work team support the idea that we have much to learn from each other and that everyone will benefit if service users, carers, academics and students work together. We aim to develop robust systems, and develop strategies to integrate the active involvement of service users and carers systematically into all of our work. This could involve participation in teaching, student selection, design of the degree, assessment of students and quality assurance.

Values of involvement

The values of social work provide a firm foundation on which to build a framework for service user and carer participation that is respectful and meaningful. This is based on models of participation that are committed to human rights, equalities, inclusion and the social model of disability and seeks to empower people and counter oppressive and discriminatory practice.