Analysis of the European context to identity and citizenship is supported by the School's extensive Erasmus network of Schools of Social Work, Community and Youth work which have been built up over the years. Families and Children Research and debate about the changing nature of family life is a key interest of several staff in the school and is at the heart of many of our professional courses in Health and Social Work. The interplay of research, training and teaching in this area is vital and underpins the development of preventative and supportive services for children and their families. Staff have particular interests in charting the place of children in contemporary families and in their neighbourhood context. Other research in this field centres around post-traumatic stress disorders in childhood and adolescence where the School is soon to organise a major international symposium.
Most active researchers have extensive European and international contacts in their fields.
The network includes the Council of Europe and the European Commission. Many of our students emerge from the School with professional qualifications to work in the fields of social work and community nursing. These capacities are developed and assessed as an integral part of the student's study programme, grounded in the subject content and materials being studied. It is university policy to ensure that all undergraduate programmes incorporate training in the use of IT and all School graduates will be familiar with the standard PC computer environment. Of particular relevance for students hoping to develop careers working abroad, there are opportunities to learn a foreign language as part of study programmes.