Organisation profile

The Department of Social Policy and Social Work (SPSW) is part of the School for Business and Society. This new interdisciplinary School brings together a groundbreaking combination of disciplines. We're delivering real societal impact through research which looks at key debates in public policy, business and society. Through combining and amplifying strengths in responsible business management, social and public policy, social work and public management, we will create an environment that will help develop the ethical leaders of tomorrow.

The Department of Social Policy and Social Work (SPSW) at York is one of the leading UK centres for teaching and research in social policy, social work and professional development for the public sector.

We pride ourselves on the calibre of our academic staff, the majority of whom have been assessed as either ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ (RAE 2008).

Expertise within the teaching section of the Department focuses on: comparative and international social policy; children and youth policy; gender, sexuality and inequality; social work services and participation; social research methods; professional skills for social work.

We are also home to the Social Policy Research Unit and Centre for Housing Policy.