Social Work Degree Apprenticeship

Degree Apprentices will be employed (in a job with legal and contractually acceptable terms and conditions) for a minimum of 30 hours a week. The apprentice will attend University for taught learning one day per week during the academic year, splitting their time between academic and work-based learning, and will be employed throughout, gaining a degree from the University while earning a wage and getting real on-the-job experience.

Apprentices will typically spend three years on the programme working towards the Apprenticeship Social Worker Standard Social worker (integrated degree) / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, with the end point assessment taken in the last six months. Further development opportunities may include skills simulation, group tutorials, signposting for academic support, individual tutorials and  Interprofessional Education/Experience (IPE).

Apprentices and their line manager will be supported by a skills coach. The skills coach will meet with the apprentice, practice educator and line manager four times per year, to support and monitor progress towards meeting the apprenticeship standard.

Apprentices will need to have placements equal to at least 200 days (including up to 30 skills days) gaining different experiences and learning in practice settings. These settings must be contrasting and in a different setting to the normal employed work base.  Each apprentice will have placements in at least two practice settings providing contrasting experiences and a minimum of one placement taking place within a statutory setting, providing experience of sufficient numbers of statutory social work tasks involving high risk decision making and legal interventions.

On successful completion of this Apprenticeship, apprentices will be awarded BA (Hons) Social Work and their Apprenticeship Certificate. At the end of the course, once all modules, placement hours and end point assessment have been passed and completed you will be eligible to apply for registration as a social worker on the register via Social Work England (SWE). The apprenticeship standard has been mapped to the Social Work England Education and Training Standards, the Professional Capability Framework, Social Work England Professional Standards and the Knowledge Skills Statement (KSS).

For employers with a payroll below £3 million: The Government will pay 95% of the cost of the apprenticeship training and assessment for apprentices of any age, for employers who will not be paying the apprenticeship levy. You may also be eligible for extra employer incentives.

For employers with a payroll above £3 million: Since May 2017 employers are able to use their Apprenticeship Levy contributions towards the cost of the apprenticeship using their digital account. We will agree a payment schedule and discuss funding availability before you start your apprenticeships and ensure the cost to your business is clear upfront.

Employers will be supported by the university in conducting tripartite interviews to ensure candidates who are successful during the selection process have the potential to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours necessary to meet the professional standards; can demonstrate a good command of English; have the capacity to meet the academic standards.

As a minimum, candidates will have a GCSE grade C+ / 4 (or equivalent) in Maths and English and will typically have three A-levels at grade C or above or have completed a BTEC in a relevant subject at D*D (or equivalent).

Applicants must complete a mandatory enhanced DBS check and undertake a BKSB (Basic and Key Skills Builder) assessment which will assess basic maths and English skills at entry level. Candidates must also complete an Occupational Health Assessment Confirmation form to disclose any health issues or requirements. In addition, candidates will be required to complete either a written test, discussion or group discussion (aligned to University requirements) which will further support the assessment of each candidate’s suitability to meet the academic requirements of the course.