Durham University Student Social Workers in Solidarity

Now , even more than ever before, we need highly trained and properly supported social workers

In this day of DWP cuts affecting families, disabled and homeless, there is MORE need for Social Workers, not less. Please do not cut these courses.

Don't stop this course. Think about the wider benefits not just money.

Utterly ridiculous. They should be working towards introducing nursing as an option for students here too.

Shocking

This is one of the strongest groups of scholars anywhere in the world in social work. It is beyond comprehension that the University would close it when there is such a need for social work in our world.

If we want to close the gap between the advantaged and disadvantaged we need more, not less, social workers to be trained.

From Austria, in solidarity. Social is not something anyone can learn in a year, unless they're only to execute ineffective and inhuman strategies. Without high quality social work education, we will have social sheriffs not social workers.

Strong, well resourced social care from properly trained practitioners is a hallmark of a civilised society. Failure to recognise social care as a valuable academic pursuit is a policy that coarsens our society. All power to you. Ray Beckett

This is a bizarre decision. Social work is in increasing demand worldwide and faces a number of important issues such as 'race' and racism, disability, ageing and so on. The School has already said that' race' is not a priority for its work; this further decision will make a laughing stock of the university and its claim to be a world-leading institution. No international social sciences department worthy of its name would consider dropping both the issue of race' and the discipline of social work from its prospectus. Durham is proceeding down the road to becoming elitist and exclusive in its approach to higher education.

I stand in solidarity with my comrades in their quest for justice.

The decision of the University of Durham to stop providing such a valuable course that support and gives voice to the most vulnerable in our society is outrageous. I am saddened and disappointed with Durham university a place of local pride now leaves me wondering Why?

We are desperately lacking these wonderful professionals doing such difficult work...any diminution is very concerning

We need Social Workers and we certainly need them in Co Durham

The need for well qualified and high calibre social workers has never been greater.

Remember that university has an obligation to train social workers for the future, there are shortages and by cancelling courses you exacerbate the problem!

Universities must not lose their vital role in contributing to the practice social welfare. With efforts to boost the integration of health and social care, this move will de-professionalize social work and weaken the voice society's most vulnerable groups. Think again, and revitalise your social work programmes!!

This is so short sighted. We are having a similar problem at UEA. Universities are forgetting their roles.

I support the students in challenging this decision.

Universities have a responsibility to the social framework of our society and to their staff. The marketisation of education is seeing cuts of critical courses across the sector, we need to fight against this and stay united!