School of Social and Political Science

Social Work

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About

We work with local and international partners on all our teaching programmes to make sure that our teaching reflects our commitment to social work values, ethics and social justice.

Programmes

We provide a range of educational opportunities for both intending and qualified social workers, at both undergraduate and postgraduate level (BSc, MSW, MSc by Research, PG Certificate and PhD).

Research

Through our wide-ranging portfolio of research and knowledge exchange activities, we seek to impact on both the social work policy and practice communities, locally and internationally.

People

Find out more about our team of academics, PhD students and professional services colleagues.

News

See the latest news updates from Social Work.

Contact

We are based in the Chrystal Macmillan Building on George Square at the heart of the central campus.
Social Work centenary logo

You might be interested in our anniversary

100 years of Social Work: What began as the Edinburgh School of Social Study and Training went on to take a pre-eminent part in the creation of social welfare policy and practice and social work education in Scotland, the UK and around the world

Latest news

News content

George Palattiyil and Ivellisse Velez, who is holding the award certificate
19/02/2024
Social Work

SPS Social Work student wins international Best Student award

Social Work student Ivellisse Velez has won the International Consortium for Social Development (ICSD) Best Student award.

Children 1st Bairns Hoose logo
29/08/2023
Social Work

SPS researchers involved in Scotland’s first Bairns Hoose to support children who experience abuse and violence

Social work researchers at the University of Edinburgh’s School of Social and Political Science (SPS) are involved in Scotland’s first Bairns Hoose, which launches today to offer support to children who experience abuse and violence.
Dr Jackie Gulland appointed to Scottish Commission on Social Security
22/08/2023
Social Work

Social Work’s Dr Jackie Gulland appointed to Scottish Commission on Social Security

The Scottish Government has appointed Dr Jackie Gulland, Senior Lecturer in Social Work, to the Scottish Commission on Social Security.
31/05/2023
Social Work

University of Edinburgh Social Work expert contributes to the national multi-agency Domestic Homicide Review Model for Scotland

Professor John Devaney, Centenary Chair of Social Work at the University of Edinburgh, has written a new paper to inform the development of Scotland’s model for reviewing domestic abuse-related homicides in Scotland.

Upcoming events

Events content

Social Work logo
29 April 2024
14:00 - 16:00
Social Work

Co-developing Community Based Rehabilitation Programmes for persons with psychosocial disabilities in Indigenous Communities of Jharkhand, India

This seminar will discuss the development of community based rehabilitation approaches at Ekjut (https://ekjutindia.org/community-mental-health/) in Jharkhand, India.
Bekah Pierre Free Loves on Fridays
07 May 2024
15:30 - 17:00
Social Work

Free Loaves on Fridays

The Care System as Told by People who Actually Get it.
Trish Mackey Attuned Trauma
09 May 2024
14:30 - 15:30
Social Work

Attuned Trauma-Safe Research – Enabling children’s participation in family violence research

Child maltreatment prevalence data from Australia indicates that 43.8% of young people aged 16-24 years reported experiences of family violence. However, despite this data, children and young people’s voices are less represented in the scholarship.

This paper draws on qualitative research conducted in Australia with gatekeepers on the barriers and enablers in family violence research with children.
U21 May2024
15 - 16 May 2024
07:00 - 17:00
Social Work

Universitas21 Community of Practice Inaugural Conference 2024

Social work is a global profession; its practice transcends national borders, and responds to critical challenges facing our community and the world.

The Universitas21 Community of Practice Inaugural Conference is an opportunity to showcase the myriad ways in which social work has engaged with these issues and challenges, locally and globally, with the aim of improving outcomes for individuals, families and communities.