Social Work Apprenticeship - BA (Hons) / Postgraduate Diploma

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 Social Work Apprenticeships are approved by Social Work England (SWE), and successful completion entitles graduates to apply for registration as a social worker.

The Open University's Social Work Apprenticeship combines theory and practice-based learning, and is delivered flexibly around the demands of your workplace. Apprentices will develop new skills and knowledge whilst carrying out real work as part of a team in a social care setting.

Through completion of this apprenticeship, learners will gain:

• Practice experience and evidence of assessed competency in the workplace
• New skills and knowledge preparing them to take on more demanding roles within social care delivery
• A professionally qualifying degree in Social Work

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

The programme will enable you to:

• Develop your workforce according to an employer-defined standard
• Increase staff retention by offering career progression
• Maximise the apprenticeship levy and embed apprenticeships in workforce planning and service transformation.

There are two Level 6 pathways to choose from depending on the apprentice's prior experience and learning:

Back to top

Why choose The Open University’s Social Work Apprenticeship?

• Delivered flexibly around the demands of your organisation, using our tutor-supported, media-rich online learning methods.
• Learning 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.
• Our Social Work Apprenticeship is based on over 20 years’ successful experience working in partnership with employers to deliver a practice-based qualifying social work programme, training over 6,000 registered social workers.

In the following videos, Louise Wannell and Claire Partington, two Social Work apprentices at the City of York Council explain why they chose to do this apprenticeship and why the OU is such a good fit for them.

Back to top

The BA (Hons) in Social Work and the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work apprenticeship programmes are suitable for new and 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.

They support the development of social work apprentices across a wide range of settings including services for adults, children and families, and mental health. Both programmes equip apprentices to work with professionals from other organisations, such as the police, healthcare organisations, schools and probation services.

For those interested in the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work apprenticeship programme, please note that you must already hold an honours degree.

Back to top

Back to top

For the latest information on vaccination requirements for frontline health and social care workers, please check the NHS England website.

Below is a summary of the eligibility criteria as set by the government for apprentices. For further information, see the Government funding rules.

Back to top

The Social Worker Apprenticeship BA (Hons) pathway consists of a 360-credit degree programme of essential knowledge and skills, and the PgDip pathway programme has two stages, each comprising 60 credits of essential knowledge and skills including:

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

Back to top

*Please note that the programmes modules outlined above may change in line with updates to the apprenticeship standard and/or University module cycle reviews. The Open University will advise you of future changes at the earliest convenience.

Back to top

The apprenticeship is made up of the following seven components: 

01 Recruitment and selection to the social work programme: This is a partnership process involving employers and people with lived experience of using services, led by an OU academic.   

02 The application process includes the initial assessment carried out by the OU. The Skills Scan is part of this initial assessment and is a mandatory systematic review of an apprentice’s knowledge, skills and behaviours against the standard. This will be completed jointly by the apprentice and the line manager to establish the apprentice’s baseline against the standard and how much new learning is needed.  

03 Tutor-supported study modules will build understanding of the key theories, concepts, skills and competencies in taking apprentices’ social work skills to a higher level. Module Tutors will facilitate study, support learning and feedback, and mark module assessments. 

04 Practice-based learning modules guide apprentices in developing, applying and evidencing their academic knowledge to their social work duties. This involves apprentices reflecting on their role and learning within the practice setting. Theoretical learning in these modules is facilitated by Practice Tutors. 
(Note: Within the Postgraduate Diploma pathway the Tutor-supported study modules and the Practice-based learning modules are integrated).

05 The Practice Portfolio records evidence of application of knowledge and demonstration of the skills, values and behaviours required to meet the apprenticeship standard. Apprentices and their workplace Practice Educators are supported in practice by a Practice Tutor to ensure the apprentices achieve the full range of practice learning requirements. 

06 The end-point assessment (EPA) is an integrated general evaluation of the values, skills, knowledge and behaviours of the apprentice as set out in the apprenticeship standard, and ensures that apprentices have met all requirements of the programme.  

07 Dependent on the pathway taken, the BA (Honours) Social Work (England) or the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work (Apprenticeship) is awarded by The Open University. The apprenticeship certification of the Social Worker Degree Apprenticeship will be awarded by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE). 

Back to top

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

In addition to designated account management support, the OU will deploy expert staff to support your organisation and your apprentices. They will work collaboratively with the relevant roles in your organisation:

Back to top