Social worker Apprenticeship (Integrated Degree) – Level 6

Social Work is an exciting and fulfilling international profession. Social Workers work in partnership with adults, children, carers, and families in a range of different settings to support and promote positive change in people's lives in order to improve their wellbeing and independence, and to reduce risk and harm. They protect and promote human rights and strive for social justice.

Social Workers work within statutory and legislative frameworks, using their professional judgement and building relationships with a variety of individuals and communities, as well as with a wide range of other professionals and agencies. They assess, plan, implement and evaluate complex situations, which requires an ability to critically reflect and make decisions within a clear professional code of ethics.

This occupation is found in social care services, health services and the voluntary and private sector. Social Workers can work in children’s services or adult social care, and can specialise in areas such as mental health, learning disabilities, substance misuse or hospital work.

What will I achieve?

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, you will achieve:

BA (Hons) in Social Work Practice
Social Worker Degree Apprenticeship Certificate

You may be eligible to become a registered Social Worker with Social Work England (SWE)

Location: Stoke-on-Trent campus
Duration: 3 years
Start date(s): January

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Course content

The programme will cover a broad range of topics including the following

Modules

Year 1

Preparation for Social Work Practice
This module will equip you with the foundations for professional knowledge and skills necessary for the practice and academic elements of the course.
Understanding the Purpose of Social Work
This module will introduce you to the historical, policy and legal context of social work practice. You will learn how welfare policies and the legislative framework form the basis for social work interventions and about the connections between politics and social work practice.
Understanding the Impact of Social Work
This module will investigate the importance of social work theory and of understanding your own values and how, as a social work student, you will be expected to uphold a service user's autonomy and have respect for their values.

Year 2

Understanding the Purpose of Evidence Based Decision Making
This module will investigate the importance of understanding your own values and how, as a social work student, you will be expected to uphold a service user's autonomy and have respect for their values.
Practice Based Learning 1
You will have a 70-day practice learning opportunity in a social work or social care setting.
The Impact of Theoretical Perspectives on Social Work Intervention
In this module you will begin to explore the relationship between human development throughout the lifespan and the social problems and difficulties faced by service users throughout their life.

Year 3

Research into Contemporary Themes
This is an exciting and topical module based on current and emerging social work practice issues. A generic approach is taken to the subject matter to include impact and relevance in children's services, mental health and adult services with many of the themes cutting across each discipline.
Practice Learning 2
You will have a 100-day practice learning opportunity in a social work or social care setting.
Working with Complexity in Professional Practice
This module has been designed to prepare you to undertake the final module of the Social Work Degree Apprenticeship. The End Point Assessment is now the Award Board of the BA (Hons) in Social Work Practice. The focus of this module is generic which means that all social work disciplines will be included in the approach to teaching and learning. This module is around gaining the fundamental skills, knowledge, and experience of social work practice which you will then shape around your area of specialism for the future.

Professional accreditation

Upon completion of this apprenticeship you can register with Social Work England as a Social Worker.

Entry requirements

To be eligible, apprentices will need to evidence the following:

Must hold level 2 English (GCSE, Functional Skills or equivalent). Maths requirements are determined by the employer, regardless of the outcome apprentices still need to undertake an initial assessment with University of Staffordshire.

Fees

For levy-paying organisations the cost is paid from their digital account at a rate of £24,000 per apprentice.

For non-levy paying organisations there may be a financial contribution on 5% which equates to £1,200 per apprentice.

Delivery and assessment

Delivery

You will complete one day per week “off the job learning” for the duration of the course. The majority of this learning will take place at the university campus in Stoke on Trent, although some of the days will take place in alternative learning environments including the use of shadowing opportunities, internal training courses by your employer and on-line and blended learning through the university virtual learning environment.

Face-to-face sessions will focus on individual and group learning exercise through lectures, seminars and tutorials. There will be a strong emphasis on activity-focused learning and the apprentice will be expected to engage actively in all sessions.

Assessment

All modules will have a variety of assessments; these are tasks set to produce a variety of work appropriate to the module topic, which are graded and contribute to progression through the degree. The assessments include exams, report writing, group activities and presentations and a portfolio will also be compiled over the length of the course. The employer is expected to assign a work place mentor who will monitor the development of the portfolio and meet with the apprentice and assessor to discuss progress.

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning in a number of areas. These include study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills); written English (including punctuation and grammatical accuracy); academic writing (including how to reference); research skills; critical thinking and understanding arguments; and revision, assessment and examination skills (including time management).

Additional support

Our AccessAbility Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment or learning difficulties. You will also have full access to our support services such as Student Guidance.

Feedback

Examination feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.

Responsibilities

The employer must not ask the apprentice to contribute financially to the direct cost of learning
Ensure apprentices are given a minimum of 6 hours per week in off-the-job training
Enter into a contract with University of Staffordshire
Participate in reviews with the apprentice and university, providing evidence and feedback on progress at work and success in meeting apprenticeship milestones
Provide a safe, healthy and supportive environment, which meets the needs of the apprentice
Provide apprentices with a contract of employment for the duration of the apprenticeship on the first day of their apprenticeship and be paid at least a wage consistent with the law for both the time they are in work and in off-the-job learning
Provide the apprentice with paid time to attend off-the-job training, including additional support for English and Maths, or support accessed for learning difficulties and/or disabilities
Recognise that the apprentice must complete the apprenticeship within their working hours
Support the apprentice to gain new skills

A citizen of a country within the European Economic Area (EEA) or have the right of abode in the UK and have been ordinarily resident in the EEA for at least the previous three years on the first day of learning
Able to complete the apprenticeship in contracted working hours
Be an employee (have a contract of employment for the duration of the apprenticeship) on the first day of their apprenticeship and be paid at least a wage consistent with the law for both the time they are in work and in off-the-job learning
Be in a new job role (nine months or less), or in an existing job role, where significant new knowledge and skills are needed - employer statement of justification needed (relevant to the apprenticeship)
Be in full-time employment for at least 30 hours a week (37.5 for nursing apprenticeships)
Has the right to work in England
Maintain a safe, healthy and supportive environment, which meets your needs
Not be enrolled on another apprenticeship at the same time
Participate in reviews with the employer and university, providing evidence and feedback on progress at work and success in meeting apprenticeship milestones

Administer the funding and running of the apprenticeship standard to an acceptable standard of quality and in compliance with the ESFAs requirements
Agree jointly between the university, the employer and apprentice, an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) ensuring that satisfactory progress is achieved and to ensure that the contents of the ILP fulfil the requirements of the apprenticeship standard
Provide a safe, healthy and supportive learning environment, which meets the needs of the apprentice
Provide off-the-job learning and assessment and oversee the on-the-job skills development as detailed in the ILP
Provide support and assessment opportunities for the end-point assessment

Careers

You will have access to Career Connect, our dedicated careers team who support you with professional branding, career mapping and realising your potential.

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To join a higher degree apprenticeship programme or recruit an apprentice for your business, enquire with us today.

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