Reading social work department to shut after talks fail

A final attempt to save Reading University’s social work department from closure has failed.

All social work undergraduate and postgraduate programmes will shut in September 2011, after discussions broke down with Buckinghamshire New University over a possible transfer.

It comes weeks after similar talks with Thames Valley University also collapsed.

“Unfortunately, Bucks New University is not able to take the initiative further,” said a Reading University spokesperson.

“Reading has now explored all opportunities for transfer of its social work activities and therefore the School of Health and Social Care will close, as planned, in September 2011.”

Meanwhile, the University and College Union, which represents 20 academic staff at the School of Health and Social Care, is taking Reading University to an employment tribunal over an alleged lack of consultation on the decision.

The university announced in March 2009 it would close the school, including all social work programmes, after an internal review questioned its strategic importance to the institution.

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