This research degree gives you the chance to pursue a research project based around your own passions and interests, leading to a qualification which can open the door to an academic career or boost employment prospects outside academia. Generating new knowledge about the changes affecting the social care workforce and service provision, including social outcomes, such as quality of life, social inclusion and social capital measures. Studying for a PhD is a truly challenging and deeply rewarding experience, and Swansea University provides an excellent environment in which to pursue your research studies. Our students are investigating topics such as the services for young carers, and multi-agency working within the area of substance misuse and the social exclusion experienced by older people in care homes. A thesis of no more than 100,000 words is submitted, which demonstrates original research that contributes significantly to the subject area. This is then followed by an oral examination of the thesis (viva).