Social worker Apprenticeship (Integrated Degree) – Level 6

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

Modules

Year 1 Modules:

• 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 Modules:

• 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 Modules:

• 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.  

• Level 2 maths and English (GCSE, functional skills or equivalent) OR be demonstrating you are functional at Level 2 in both maths and English, this would be determined by initial assessments conducted by University of Staffordshire.
• Ideally a level 3 or above qualification in a relevant subject

Applicants usually require 112 UCAS points to apply for the undergraduate course but if the applicant does not hold this level of qualification consideration will be given to a level of experience within the health and social care arena.  

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.

As a Social Worker you will 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.

Upon completion of Social Worker apprenticeship you may be eligible to progress on to one of the following:

• Assessed & Supported Year in Employment (ASYE)
• Level 7 Practice Educator Qualification