free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Health, Sports & Psychology
An introduction to social work
Do you want to learn more about the social work role and develop your understanding of some of the theory associated with social work practice? This free course, An introduction to social work, begins by introducing key ideas, values, the social work process and the skills needed for social work practice in the UK. You will then move on to look...
free course icon
level 2: intermediate icon
Health, Sports & Psychology
Effective writing in professional social work practice
This free course, Effective writing in professional social work practice, will introduce you to the importance of writing in professional social work. It will develop your understanding of the different ways that writing forms an integrated part of professional practice in the UK. People are at the centre of writing in social work practice, ...
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Badge icon
Health, Sports & Psychology
Understanding mental capacity
This free course, Understanding mental capacity, covers the principles and criteria underpinning the assessment of mental capacity and decision making in the UK.
free course icon
level 2: intermediate icon
Health, Sports & Psychology
Exploring critical social work practice
What does it mean to be a critical social worker and how can adopting a critical approach improve outcomes for people that use services? This free course, Exploring critical social work practice will support you to question assumptions and navigate complexity as a critical social worker. Through practice scenarios and reflective activities, you ...
article icon
Health, Sports & Psychology
Artificial intelligence: implications for social work writing
From case notes and formal reports to basic emails, a crucial but time-consuming part of a social worker’s job is writing. Dr Gillian Ferguson and Dr Maria Leedham look at the opportunities and drawbacks of implementing artificial intelligence into the role.
collection icon
Education & Development
Neurodiversity Hub
Exploring how minds work differently and brilliantly. This hub brings together free OpenLearn courses, articles and personal stories on autism, ADHD, dyslexia and more.
article icon
Health, Sports & Psychology
What foster carers want you to know
What do foster carers want you to know about the day-to-day realities and challenges of fostering?
activity icon
Health, Sports & Psychology
Being a boy
What is life like for boys today? In what follows, we explore aspects of contemporary boyhood, drawing on research conducted at The Open University and elsewhere.
activity icon
Health, Sports & Psychology
What does it mean, to be a man?
Beliefs about what makes a ‘real’ man have changed enormously over time. So what does it mean to be a man in the twenty-first century? Do traditional ideas about masculinity still apply, and if not, what kinds of new ideas have replaced them? Explore our interactive below to learn more.
article icon
Education & Development
5 quick tips to boost your wellbeing
Do you want to enhance your wellbeing? This article is packed with practical tips to help you boost your mental health – from building positive habits to managing stress and setting healthy boundaries. Small steps can lead to big changes – let’s explore how.
article icon
Health, Sports & Psychology
Mental health jargon quiz
There is a certain amount of jargon or specialised terminology that is used in the mental health field. But what does it all mean? Take this quiz to find out what you know...
activity icon
Health, Sports & Psychology
The social work phone-in: have your say
Can you decide who should be primarily responsible for care?