Social Worker Degree Apprenticeship


Institution code	H36
Start date	September
Course length	Full Time, 3 Years
Location	University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Entry requirements
The University of Hertfordshire is committed to welcoming students with a wide range of qualifications and levels of experience. The entry requirements listed on the course pages provide a guide to the minimum level of qualifications needed to study each course. However, we have a flexible approach to admissions and each application will be considered on an individual basis.
UCAS points A level BTEC extended diploma
96 CCC MMM

Additional requirements

GCSE: Grade 4/ C in English Language and Mathematics or equivalent. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the minimum requirement for English and Mathematics is entry level 3. A British Sign Language (BSL) qualification is an alternative to the English qualification for those whose primary language is BSL.
Level 3 qualifications: applicants are required to have a level 3 qualification. A list of acceptable level 3 qualifications is available from gov.uk website.
Additional requirements
Applicants must:
be nominated by their employer and have a permanent or fixed-term contract for 30 hours per week or more, that is long enough for apprentices to successfully complete the apprenticeship;
be employed by a statutory or non-statutory agency that can supply the learning opportunities required by the apprentice training, as required by Social Work England;
be 18 years or older;
have the right to work in the UK and have been resident in the UK for three years prior to the start of the programme to qualify for funding;
have at least two years’ experience of working with children and families or adults with care and support needs;
disclose whether they have previously studied on other social work qualifying degree programmes;
have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (Adults and Children's) dated within one year prior to starting the programme;
complete a Suitability for Social Work form to notify the programme of any changes related to their health status and a criminal records check (this will be required annually throughout the duration of the programme). All candidates are required to disclose any criminal convictions/cautions prior to entry;
inform the programme leader / employer apprenticeship lead if they have been cautioned or convicted of a civil or criminal offence during their studies. In addition, learners must disclose to the programme leader whether they have been subject to any workplace disciplinary proceedings and whether they have been placed on registers held by local authorities;
show an understanding of the demands of completing a degree alongside their existing post in the health or social care sector;
undergo Occupational Health (OH) screening and will be required to demonstrate they have undergone occupational screening in the workplace, if offered a place;
be willing to travel to practice placements in a range of different settings and sectors with diverse patient/client groups that may operate shift patterns and/or 7-day services;
understand that annual leave must be arranged outside of scheduled face to face teaching and placement weeks.
Additional information
The selection process for the apprentice consists of two stages, with the employer making the initial selection followed by an interview process arranged by the University.

UCAS points	A level	BTEC extended diploma
96	CCC	MMM

About the course

Apprenticeship Standard: BSc (Hons) Social Work Level 6

Final Award: BSc Hons Social Work

Our Social Work Degree Apprenticeship prepares apprentices for a meaningful and rewarding career in social work by combining academic study with employment in the field. This professionally focused programme is designed to equip apprentices with a comprehensive understanding of the key theoretical and practical issues shaping contemporary social work practice. You will be encouraged to critically engage in discussions around the effectiveness of interventions in promoting the rights, voices, and wellbeing of vulnerable individuals, families, and communities.

Social work is a dynamic and constantly evolving profession that responds to shifting social, political, economic, and cultural contexts. Our social work apprenticeship develops accountable, reflective practitioners who value and respect diverse perspectives in both theory and practice- locally, nationally, and globally. Apprentices will also gain the essential skills to promote anti-oppressive and anti-discriminatory practice and to challenge the effects of oppression and discrimination on those who use services and their careers.

Learning takes place across a variety of settings, including face-to-face teaching, online platforms, the workplace, and practice environments. Apprentices will benefit from interactions with employers, service users with lived experience, carers, and peers ensuring a well-rounded and practice-informed education.

Why choose this course?

The teaching team is committed to providing a challenging, research-informed, and supportive learning environment. It strives to ensure that graduates of the Social Work Degree Apprenticeship are competent and compassionate practitioners, equipped to practise safely and effectively across a range of multidisciplinary social work settings. Graduates will demonstrate integrity, transparency, openness, and digital agility in their professional practice.

This comprehensive apprenticeship programme ensures graduates:

have the necessary skills and knowledge they need in a rapidly changing professional environment by encouraging inter-professional collaboration, lifelong learning and continuing professional development (CPD)
understand current social work practices, developments in service provision, and the philosophy behind changes in legislation and new organisational patterns. In addition, the degree provides an understanding of social work as a profession
are equipped to think critically, research independently, apply values, knowledge, and skills in social situations and their practice and respond creatively to the intellectual stimulus that learning and research provide
understand the significance of inequality and discrimination for social work policy and practice and be able to reflect on their values as citizens and professionals.

What will I study?

The Social Work Degree Apprenticeship programme is grounded in a learner-centred approach, recognising that each apprentice has unique learning styles and preferences. It emphasises the importance of active engagement with a wide range of learning opportunities, both in the workplace and in the classroom. The teaching team is committed to making the learning experience relevant to each apprentice’s professional context, providing every opportunity for the practical application of knowledge in the workplace.

The application of learning to practice is a core and compulsory element of the programme. You will be supported in applying your learning during practice placements, which together amount to the equivalent of 200 days of practice-based learning across the course.

In the first year, you will complete a 20-day, skills-based module delivered on campus. This is followed in the second year by a further 10 days of on-campus learning and a 70-day agency-based placement. In the third year, you will undertake a final 100-day agency placement. At least one of these placements will take place in a setting different from your current workplace, ensuring a breadth of experience. Placements are typically completed on a full-time basis, normally 37 hours per week.

Level 4

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Transition into Social Work Apprentice	15 Credits	Compulsory
The module will provide Apprentices with an understanding of the development of social work practice and training in order to begin the professional journey from social care worker to professional social worker. It will demonstrate the relationship between social sciences, sociological perspectives and social work. The module provides a focus on academic skills such as the different types of academic writing e.g. descriptive and reflective writing, and professional writing needs.
Perspectives of development across the lifespan	30 Credits	Compulsory
Throughout the module, the significance of different perspectives employed by a range of developmental psychologists to human development will be discussed. Wider socioeconomic issues will also be considered. In addition, data gathering methods are identified. Apprentices will engage in observational opportunities and discuss the application of developmental theories to explain human development from differing perspectives.
Legal, Policy and Ethical Issues for Social Workers	30 Credits	Compulsory
The module will introduce the apprentice to the relevant law in social work practice and will explore the relationship between law and social work, human rights, anti-discrimination law, confidentiality, data protection, mental capacity, consent, mental health, and child protection. Social Policy considers how social problems are understood and measured. The module provides an introduction into sociological theories to think about dilemmas and issues in society and understand their application to law and social policy.
Social Work Practice 1: A work-based learning approach	45 Credits	Compulsory
The module content will support apprentices to develop their understanding of key social work principles and techniques that they can draw upon to establish professional relationships with people across a range of diverse user groups. Formative tasks such as community work, presentations, communicating at various levels, interviews, interaction with individual service users and carers will allow opportunity for Apprentices to practice and develop essential people skills at a basic level.

Level 5

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Developing Skills for Contemporary Social Work	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module develops assessment, intervention strategies, and skills for contemporary social work. It will prepare Apprentices for working in situations of increased complexity within the social work setting. Apprentices will have the opportunity to address some of the social work theories and methods that underpin social work practice. It draws upon apprentices' experiences and current practice and aim to evaluate current policy and practice, including working with children and adults in areas such as safeguarding, mental health, domestic violence, drugs, and alcohol.
Social Work Law and Policy in Practice (Adults, Children and Families)	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will provide apprentices with opportunities to evaluate contemporary social problems and the importance of the policy frameworks in informing social work knowledge and interventions in response to these social issues. It will also consider implications for equality and Human Rights as reflected in SWE values and ethics.
Interprofessional practice and professional identity in social work	30 Credits	Compulsory
The module is designed to give apprentices the opportunity to work in multi-professional groups in order to improve understanding of a range of professional roles and encourage co-operative learning and working. The rationale for and benefits of inter-professional working are explored. In addition, explore the balancing of appropriate levels of autonomy within a complex system of accountability.
Social Work Practice 2: A work-based learning approach	45 Credits	Compulsory
The content builds on the Social Work Practice 1 module and their own workplace experiences, enabling the apprentice to undertake a social worker placement in an organisation through, individual, group and teamwork. It develops the apprentice's professional social work skills in settings predominately of low complexity.

Level 6

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Consolidation of knowledge and skills for practice	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module builds on the Transition into Apprentice module of year one, and Interprofessional and professional identity in social work module, year two. It offers the Apprentice the opportunity to evaluate their experiences to date and evaluate their own future development needs, and targets to achieve this.
Social Work Practice 3: A work-based learning approach	30 Credits	Compulsory
Building on the knowledge base from social work practice 1 and 2 this module will explore the ways in which social workers manage complex and conflicting needs. Building on from their workplace experiences and Professional Placements, Apprentices will obtain a deeper understanding of the law and policy relevant to social work practice through practitioner and people with lived experience engagement, reflection professional and British values. Apprentices will consider the legal and ethical dilemmas which are experienced in practice as social workers respond to complexity in their work. They will integrate new theoretical knowledge to identify best practice and respond creatively to need and risk, reflecting both professional and British Values. (Human Rights-respect, tolerance etc). In addition, Apprentices will apply specialist theoretical knowledge critically to inform collaborative practice with service users and carers to promote wellbeing, prevent harm and abuse, and affect positive change; developing a critical perspective in relation to the practice of Social Work in a range of contexts.
Collaborative Working in Social Work	15 Credits	Compulsory
The module is designed to give Apprentices further opportunities of engaging with voluntary organisations, multi-professional groups, to improve understanding across professional boundaries and encourage collaborative learning and working that will bring benefit to patient/service-users. The module requires Apprentices to bring specialist in-depth knowledge of their profession and professional standards and codes of conduct to a group setting.
Evidence informed practice for social workers	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module will enable an understanding of a rationale for practice related project proposal based in a social work setting. Demonstrate the writing skills for a project outline. Develop critical appraisal of literature, evaluation of project methods. Introduce apprentices to ethics applied to social work and social science research.
Research Methods	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will provide apprentices with an understanding of Identifying research problems, research questions and what is a literature review within. Provide an appreciation of quantitative and qualitative research methodology. Delivery of the significance of research ethics in social work and applied social science research. Learners will develop detailed knowledge of well-established theories and concepts regarding elements of research, demonstrating an awareness of these within different contexts and using a range of frameworks. Learners will analyse a range of information comparing alternative methods and techniques.

Professional Accreditations

On successful completion of this programme, graduates meet Social Work England’s Professional Standards and are eligible to join the Social Work England Register and use the protected title of ‘social worker’.

Careers

Following successful completion of the programme, you will be well-prepared to take advantage of the diverse opportunities within the social work field, applying your knowledge and skills to support individuals, families, and communities, and to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

What job can I get?

Typical career paths for Social Work Degree Apprenticeship graduates include:

Adult Social Worker
Mental Health Social Worker
Safeguarding Social Worker
Hospital Social Worker
Youth Justice Social Worker
Children and Families Social Worker

Employability is at the heart of this course, equipping graduates with the leadership, analytical, and strategic skills employers need across a wide range of sectors.

Key staff

Anthony Novak
Programme Lead
Find out more about Anthony Novak
Vida Douglas
Professional Lead (Social Work)
Find out more about Vida Douglas

Programme specifications
BSc (Hons) Social Work (Degree Apprenticeship) - Full Time, Sem A	Download

Additional information
Sandwich placement or study abroad year	n/a
Applications open to international and EU students	No

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