BA (Honours) Social Work (England)

Social workers support and protect some of society’s most deprived and vulnerable people. They require a high level of motivation, commitment and a qualifying degree. The Open University’s BA (Hons) Social Work (England) is approved by Social Work England (SWE), and successful completion entitles graduates to apply for registration as a social worker.

Our BA (Hons) Social Work (England) is a practice-based learning programme that combines on- and off-the-job learning and development, delivered flexibly around the demands of your workplace. Through completion of this qualification, students will earn a professionally qualifying degree in Social Work and gain practice experience with evidence of assessed competency in the workplace, including new skills and knowledge preparing them to take on more demanding roles within social care delivery.

For employers, the programme provides the opportunity to upskill, develop and retain current staff. Because students study alongside work, they will put their learning into practice immediately, for the positive benefit of service users.

In England, an Social Worker Degree Apprenticeship route is also available, enabling eligible employers to make use of their apprenticeship levy.

The BA (Hons) Social Work (England):

• Enables you to develop your workforce according to an employer-defined standard.
• Helps to increase staff retention by offering career progression opportunities.
• Is delivered flexibly around the demands of your organisation, using our tutor-supported, media-rich online learning methods.
• Is accessible 24/7 and can be delivered to various locations using our tried-and-trusted educational technology, providing a consistent programme for multiple staff, regardless of where they are based and when they study.
• Is based on over 20 years’ successful experience of working in partnership with employers to deliver a practice-based, qualifying social work programme, working with around 300 health and social care employers across the UK and training over 6,000 registered social workers.

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The programme is suitable for existing social care support staff who are responsible for delivering direct services and who have the potential to take on greater challenges and responsibilities as qualified social workers.

It will support the development of social workers across a wide range of settings, including services for mental health, adults, children, young people and families. The programme will also equip students to work with professionals from other organisations, such as the police, healthcare organisations, schools and probation services.

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All BA (Hons) Social Work (England) applicants must:

• Have GCSE at grades A*-C in English and mathematics or certified equivalent.
• Meet the UCAS tariff threshold of 96 points or equivalent.
• Show that they can communicate clearly in spoken and written English.
• Demonstrate that they have the appropriate personal and intellectual qualities to be a social worker.
• Have an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) with barred lists (children and adults) check.
• Undertake a written test.
• Take part in an interview.

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The BA (Hons) Social Work (England) consists of a 360-credit degree programme comprising six modules of essential knowledge and skills, including:

• Social work theory and legislation.
• Applying learning to practice and developing critical and analytical skills.
• The differing approaches to person-centred care.
• The development of health and social care in the UK and the political and contemporary context in which care takes place.
• Theories, concepts and professional principles that underpin social work practice.
• A range of research methods and their application to social care practice.

The subject matter is interdisciplinary, derived from psychology, sociology, social policy, law and social work studies.

At Stage 1, the first two modules provide an introduction to the organisation of social care in the UK and develop students’ awareness of the different components of good social work practice. At Stage 2, students will study a module covering the law and social work before taking a practice module, which includes a 70-day placement. In Stage 3, students will choose one module from a choice of four and conclude their degree 100-placement. 

Our tutor-supported online learning gives your employees the flexibility to minimise disruption to service provision. This means students are rarely required to be on day release at the same time and frontline services are protected. It also means travel costs and expenses are minimised.

Online module delivery is both varied and interactive, using rich media formats that engage and enthuse learners on their journey. Learning is perfectly suited to staff working shifts, as it can be accessed 24/7 on computers, tablets and mobile devices, and can be immediately applied into working practice. Online forums and discussion groups allow students to learn from others in different service settings and with different backgrounds. Social work core subjects use a blended tuition where face to face skills workshops complement the online delivery.

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The Open University has the experience and support in place to help learners succeed and make a positive impact on practice.

The OU will deploy expert staff to support your organisation and your learners. They will work collaboratively with the relevant roles in your organisation.