Social Work Degree Apprenticeship
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Key Information
| Institution code | H36 |
| School of study | School of Health and Social Work |
| Course length | Full Time, 3 Years |
| Location | University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield |
| Start Date | September 2024 |
| Intake per year | 1 |
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Entry requirements
- Applicants must:
- 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
- Have an enhanced DBS (with checks including both children and vulnerable adults) 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/criminal records check (this will be required annually throughout the duration of the programme).
- Meet the programme entry criteria
- Social work degree apprenticeship applicants will have a GCSE in Maths and English Language at grade C/4 or above, or an approved Level 2 English and Maths equivalent (such as Functional skills level 2). For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeship’s English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3. A British Sign Language (BSL) qualification is an alternative to the English qualification for those whose primary language is BSL.
- All applicants are also required to have a Level 3 qualification that are equivalent to 96 UCAS points (or above) (e.g., 3 A levels at grade C or equivalent including BTEC, NVQ, Access to HE). A list of acceptable level 3 qualifications is available from gov.uk website. Applicants who do not meet these requirements will be individually assessed. Applicants will be unable to proceed with their application without evidence of achievement and confirmation that replacement certificates have been requested.
- Applicants must show an understanding of the demands of completing a degree alongside their existing post in the health or social care sector.
- Applicants must 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
- All applicants should understand that annual leave must be arranged outside of scheduled face to face teaching and placement weeks.
- Applicants must have the support of their employer and be nominated for a place on the programme.
- Apprentices will be working 30 hours per week or more with a statutory/non-statutory agency that can provide the necessary support to train a fully qualified social worker
- Fixed term contracts must be long enough for apprentices to successfully complete the apprenticeship.
Additional requirements
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.
All candidates are required to disclose any criminal convictions/cautions prior to entry. An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (Adults and Childrens) is required for each apprentice for the purpose of suitability for the Programme and practice (This will be undertaken by the employer). Apprentices are required to inform the Programme Leader/ Employer Apprenticeship L& D 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. Learners must disclose whether they have previously studied on other Social Work qualifying degree programmes.
All applicants who are offered a place on the Programme will be required to undergo Occupational Health (OH) screening and will be required to demonstrate they have undergone occupational screening in the workplace. Any health concerns that might impact their professional role or become evident during their studies will be identified through the initial needs assessment and progress review support and support provided by the university.
About the course
Apprenticeship Standard: BSc (Hons) Social Work Level 6
Final Award: BSc Hons Social Work
The BSc (Hons) Social Work (Degree Apprenticeship) programme aims to prepare apprentices for a career in social work, while they combine their academic studies and employment in the professional field. This programme has been designed to equip the apprentice with a comprehensive understanding of the key theoretical and practice issues in current social work delivery. The programme will enable the apprentice to critically engage in discussions surrounding the effectiveness of interventions to promote the rights, views and wellbeing of vulnerable people, families, and communities.
Social work is a constantly evolving occupation and academic discipline which adapts to reflect the changing, social, political, economic, and cultural contexts. Thus, the programme seeks to develop accountable professionals that respect and value diverse perspectives in both theory and practice (locally and globally). In addition, apprentices will develop the necessary skills to promote anti-oppressive and anti-discriminatory practices and challenge the impact of oppression and discrimination for people that use services and their carers.
The learning opportunities for the apprenticeship involve various settings, including classrooms, online platforms, the apprentice’s workplace, practice settings, interactions with employers, and people with lived experiences of services, carers, and peers. On successful completion of this programme graduates of the BSc (Hons) Social Work (Degree Apprenticeship) programme who meet Social Work England (SWE) Professional Standards, are eligible to join the SWE Register and can use the protected title of a ‘social worker’.
Why choose this course?
This programme aims to ensure 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, as well as to apply values, knowledge, and skills in social situations and their practice, and to 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 philosophy of the programme is grounded in a student-centred approach that recognises each apprentice has different learning styles/preferences. It emphasises the value of each learner actively engaging with the numerous learning opportunities in both the work setting and in the classroom. In doing so, the programme also recognises the importance of the past and current experiences of the apprentice. The programme teaching team aims to make the teaching relevant to the apprentice’s workplace and to allow every opportunity for the application of learning in the workplace.
Application of learning to practice is an essential, compulsory element of the programme. The apprentice is supported to apply their learning in practice placements. There are three placements equivalent to 200 days of practice learning. Year 1 is a twenty -days skills-based module delivered on campus. This continues in Year Two and has an additional ten days. Also in Year Two is a 70-day agency-based placement. Year 3 has a final 100-day placement agency placement. At least one of these placements will be in a different setting from the apprentice’s current workplace. The 70- and 100-days placement will usually be undertaken on a full-time basis (normally 37 hours a week).
The teaching team is committed to providing a challenging, research-informed and supportive learning environment. It strives to ensure graduates of the BSc (Hons) Social Work (Degree Apprenticeship) are competent, compassionate, practitioners able to practice safely in a variety of multi-disciplinary social work settings with integrity, transparency, openness and are digitally agile.
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Level 4
| Module | Credits |
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| Transition to Social Work Apprentice | 15 |
| Perspectives of development across the lifespan | 30 |
| Legal, Policy and Ethical Issues for Social Workers | 30 |
| Social Work Practice 1: A work-based learning approach | 45 |
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Level 5
| Module | Credits |
|---|
| Developing assessment, intervention strategies, and skills for contemporary social work | 30 |
| Social Work Law and Policy in practice: Adults, Children and Families | 15 |
| Interprofessional practice and professional identity in social work | 30 |
| Social Work practice 2: A work-based learning approach | 45 |
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Level 6
| Module | Credits |
|---|
| Consolidation of knowledge and skills for practice | 30 |
| Social Work practice 3: A work -based learning approach | 30 |
| Collaborative working for social work | 15 |
| Evidence informed practice for social work | 30 |
| Research Methods | 15 |
Professional Accreditations
On successful completion of this programme, graduates of the BSc (Hons) Social Work (Degree Apprenticeship) programme meet Social Work England (SWE) Professional Standards, are eligible to join the SWE Register and can use the protected title of a ‘social worker’.
Careers
The qualification enables the graduate to be eligible for a full range of posts across the social work setting.
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Key Staff
Anthony Novak - Programme Lead
Vida Douglas - Professional Lead (Social Work)
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Additional Information
| Applicants must be in full-time employment (min 39 hours per week). |
| Applicants must be sponsored by the employer. |
| The Agency must be able to supply the learning opportunities required by the apprentice training, (as required by Social Work England). |
