Social Worker Degree Apprenticeship – Level 6

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.

Social Work is an exciting and fulfilling international profession. 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.

Who is it for?

Unqualified social workers working within a social work setting. Specific job roles may include Apprentice Social Worker; Social Worker Assistant.

Location: Stoke-on-Trent campus
Duration: 3 years including a 1-month Apprenticeship Assessment
Start date(s): January

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Course content

This apprenticeship is regulated by Social Work England meaning the programme prepares individuals to enter the profession of Social Work in a range of welfare settings. This could include safeguarding, community or therapeutic services.

The programme begins with developing study skills and learning the foundations of social work. In the second year, this knowledge is applied in practice and then the final year focuses on advanced social work practice. Throughout the apprenticeship, apprentices will spend the majority of their time in their base role but will also undertake a 70-day placement and a 100-day placement in alternative areas of Social Work.

What qualification will be achieved?

BA (Hons) in Social Work Practice
Social Worker Apprenticeship Certificate
Eligible to register as a Social Worker with Social Work England

Modules

Year 1:

Preparation for Social Work Practice
Understanding the Purpose of Social Work
Understanding the Impact of Social Work

Year 2:

Understanding the Purpose of Evidence Based Decision Making
Practice Based Learning 1 - 70 day placement
The Impact of Theoretical Perspectives on Social Work Intervention

Year 3:

Research into Contemporary Themes
Practice Learning 2 - 100 day placement
Working with Complexity in Professional Practice

Entry requirements

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

Achievement of Level 2 English (GCSE, functional skills or equivalent)

*Maths requirements are determined by the employer. If the apprentice does not hold level 2 they will 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 of 5% which equates to £1,200 per apprentice.

Delivery and assessment

Delivery

This programme is delivered as a day release model which includes weekly learning which is a mix of face-to-face on campus and online webinars.

Assessment

Throughout the apprenticeship a variety of assessment methods could be used, these include:

Written assignments
Examinations
Reflective activities
Group assessments
Presentations
Professional discussions
Academic assignments
Critical analysis

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support provided by the course teaching team, our central Academic Skills Team provide resources, group and one-to-one help to support 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
revision, assessment and examination skills (including time management).

Additional support

The Student Life Team offer support, advice and guidance to apprentices with inclusion requirements. The team can arrange reasonable adjustments to support with learning needs, long term health condition, mental health condition or disabilities

Feedback

Progress feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, written feedback will be made available to all apprentices who take written examinations or assessments.

Responsibilities

Employers must not ask the apprentice to contribute financially to the direct cost of learning.
Ensure apprentices spend at least 6 hours per week of their time on 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 apprentices must complete the apprenticeship within their working hours.
Support the apprentice to gain new skills.

If they are a citizen of the UK or a citizen of a country within the European Economic Area with Pre-settled or Settled status, they must have been an ordinarily resident in the UK or EEA for at least the previous three years on the first day of learning.
If they are a non UK national or EEA National without pre-settled or settled status, they must hold a visa (not for educational purposes) for the full duration of the apprenticeship at the start of the programme and been an ordinarily resident in the UK 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 job role relevant for the apprenticeship where significant new knowledge and skills are required.
Be in full-time employment for typically 30 hours a week.
Has the right to work in England.
Maintain a safe, healthy and supportive environment, which meets your needs.
Not enrolled on another apprenticeship or accessing other government funding 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 level of quality and in compliance with the DfE’s 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 on selection of the apprenticeship assessor, if applicable. The apprenticeship assessment will be completed by University of Staffordshire for all integrated degrees.

Careers

Upon completion apprentices can apply for registration with Social Work England to work as a registered Social Worker within social services. They also may wish to seek out further professional development opportunities or postgraduate study.

Apprentices will also have access to career support, our dedicated careers team can support with professional branding, career mapping and accessing potential.

Facilities

Immersive Suite

Our Immersive Suite can simulate almost any environment including home, hospital and pub. The suite allows 360 projection putting you in a more realistic environment to enhance simulations.

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Mock Courtrooms

One room is designed as a crown courtroom and the other for cases at magistrates’ court. Read more

Students can present legal arguments, act as expert witnesses, or take part in mooting.

Our digitally enabled mock court rooms are designed to create simulated scenarios for students to put theory in to practice and gain confidence, skills and knowledge to take forward in to their career.

One room is designed as a crown courtroom and the other for cases at magistrates’ court. Students can present legal arguments, act as expert witnesses, or take part in mooting. Each space includes a dock, lawyers’ area and a bench for the judge or magistrates.

The courtrooms are used by a wide range of students from different perspectives including law students, policing, forensics, international relations and more, to give practice with not only mooting but also in presenting evidence and various other aspects of trials.

In our video, learn about simulation in our Mock Court Room, used by students to practice their skills to prepare them for their future career.

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Immersive Technologies

This collection of rooms and resources allows for exploration and development with Virtual and Augmented Reality technologies. Read more

Find out more about our Immersive Technology Facilities.

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Enquire

To begin an apprenticeship, you must be employed in a role that aligns with the apprenticeship you wish to undertake.

If you are currently in a suitable position with an employer who is willing to support you or if you are an employer looking to recruit or enrol an existing member of staff onto an apprenticeship, please enquire with us.

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