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  • Social Worker

Social Worker Degree Apprenticeship

Social work is both a profession and an academic discipline that commits to social justice and human rights by supporting those in need.

The Social Worker Degree Apprenticeship integrates the professional and educational requirements needed to qualify and practice as a social worker. The programme enables apprentices to develop their knowledge of social work and social science theory, and apply this knowledge critically to inform practice.

Upon completion, apprentices will have well-developed self-managed skills in analysing, making and justifying decisions in challenging, uncertain and conflicting practice situations, including those involving risk and protection. This knowledge will be supported by the practical, on-the-job learning that will happen within the workplace.

The University of Brighton's Head of Department for Social Work was a member of the Institute of Apprenticeship Trailblazer Group for the Integrated Social Work Degree and remains involved in national and local discussions and consultations.

Make sure that you’ve read the FAQs, and that you meet the eligibility criteria, before you submit an application.

Note: From the start of the academic year 2023–2024 we will be teaching all courses delivered by the School of Humanities and Social Science on our Moulsecoomb, Brighton campus. Students starting courses from 2023 onwards will be based in Moulsecoomb throughout their studies.

key information

University of Brighton award Social Work BSc(Hons)

Apprenticeship standard Social Worker

Level 6

Start date September 2023

Application close date June 2023

Duration 3 years

Location Moulsecoomb

Accredited by Social Work England

Submit an application

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Programme details

Programme structure

The social worker degree apprenticeship programme reflects the multi-professional nature of social work practice through joint learning sessions with students of nursing, occupational therapy, midwifery, medicine, education and physiotherapy. There is also a focus on the social science knowledge base of social work, with contributions from criminology, psychology, sociology and social policy.

With support from the employer, apprentices are required to spend 20% of paid working hours on studies and be able to evidence this. This is a statutory requirement for apprenticeships and the funding is conditional on this being met. Off-the-job learning includes activities which have not previously been a part of the role or furthers apprentices development into new areas.

Social Work England logo

Modules and core skills 

Year 1

  • Introduction to Social Work Practice
  • Contemporary Social Inequalities
  • Human Growth and Development
  • Preparing for Social Work Practice
  • Law for Social Workers
  • Service User and Carer Needs and Resources

Year 2

  • Social Work Practice with Children and Families
  • Social Work Practice with Adults
  • Practice Learning 1   
  • Critical Social Work

Year 3

  • Social Work Dissertation
  • Contemporary Social Work
  • Practice Learning 2
  • Social Work End Point Assessment

Upon completion of the programme, apprentices will be equipped to:

  • analyse and evaluate complex knowledge, theory and research critically, reflectively and conceptually, drawing conclusions from it on a self managed and systematic basis
  • apply complex knowledge from a variety of academic disciplines to uncertain practice situations, including those involving risk
  • a systematic understanding of research approaches, methods and evidence
  • a detailed understanding of the tasks, responsibilities and accountability of social workers
  • an up to date knowledge of applied social policy and law, including relevant practice guidance
  • well-developed skills in engaging, building, maintaining, sustaining and ending effective and compassionate relationships with service users and carers.

Teaching and assessment

All staff teaching and tutoring on the programme are either actively undertaking research, or are specialists in the scholarship of their area of practice. This informs learning and teaching sessions and approaches, ensuring they are current and innovatory.

Learning and teaching on the programme aims to offer apprentices an active, transformational learning experience which will promote their own personal and professional development, and enable them to work with, and support, service users and carers to bring about change for users of services and carers and ensure protection when necessary.

Over the duration of the course, teaching aims to deliver learning that will enable apprentices to demonstrate the professional skills as outlined by Social Work England.

Assessment tasks are designed to support development of skills and abilities for practice. Assessment of knowledge and application is undertaken using the following methods:

  • essays
  • professional development workbook
  • take-home examination paper
  • case study and shadowing log
  • group presentation, with individual responsibility for particular components:
  • reflective paper
  • case analysis
  • decision-making analysis
  • vivas
  • poster presentation
  • professional development review and plans
  • 20 minute question and answer session.

Upon completion of the qualification apprentices must complete an End Point Assessment (EPA) comprised of:

  • a portfolio of workplace evidence
  • demonstration of practice
  • professional discussion.

Employer and apprentice commitments 

In order to deliver the programme, the employer undertakes to:

  • conduct a workplace induction and set out a contract of employment
  • provide an appropriately qualified workplace mentor to support the apprentice
  • attend apprentice's progress review (twice a year) 
  • ensure that an Occupational Health Screening and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check has been undertaken by the employer
  • release apprentice for scheduled off-the-job learning
  • have an Apprenticeship Agreement in place from the start of the programme.

Throughout the programme, apprentices will:

  • attend the workplace for the agreed pattern as set out in the employment contract 
  • record all training sessions and off-the-job learning 
  • attend scheduled university learning sessions and complete all assessments as required by the university and End Point Assessment Organisation
  • behave in a safe and responsible manner at the workplace and university
  • engage with regular progress reviews 
  • complete, throughout the apprenticeship, a professional development portfolio.

Fees and funding information for apprentices 

Course fees

As an apprentice the cost of your learning programme is covered by your employer through their Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) account.

Student finance

Higher and degree level apprentices are not eligible for any element of student finance. This is because they receive a salary instead of the student loan package. However, if you are experiencing any financial difficulties, please contact the Student Advice Service on 01273 642 888.

Learning support

Apprentices studying at Higher and degree level may be able to access funding in relation to additional support but this is available through the university and not Disabled Students Allowance. Apprentices may also be able to apply for Access to Work funding for work-based equipment and software. Please contact the Disability and Dyslexia team on 01273 643 799.

Living costs and benefits

Higher and degree level apprentices must fulfil the standard eligibility criteria in order to apply for means tested benefits such as Universal Credit, Child Tax Credit and Housing Benefit. If you have any questions about entitlement to benefits, please contact the Student Advice Service on 01273 643 888.

Higher and degree level apprentices who are undertaking a full-time mode of study can be treated as being exempt from paying Council Tax. Although some programmes require study on a day-release arrangement, this can still be classed as full-time study. You will need to obtain a letter from the Student Information Desk at any campus and send this to your Council Tax department when you enrol on the programme.

Other

Brighton and Hove bus discount

NUS card

My learning on the apprenticeship has widened my knowledge of the theory behind social work, which has enhanced my confidence and abilities to empower vulnerable people who need support. I would urge anyone considering a degree apprenticeship to seize the opportunity, as I really consider it to be a golden ticket of an experience. I have felt incredibly privileged to have been given both the experience of learning through my degree along with on-the-job learning in my workplace.

Gabriella Heffer, Resource Officer in Adult Social Care, East Sussex County Council

Entry requirements

A-levels or
A-level ABB–BBC (128–112 UCAS Tariff points)

BTEC
BTEC Extended Diploma DDM–DMM.

International Baccalaureate
32–28 points with three subjects at Higher level.

Access to HE Diploma
Pass with 60 credits overall. Social work diploma preferred. At least 45 credits at level 3, with 18 credits at distinction and 27 credits at merit, including level 3 credits in written communication, study skills, and reading and writing skills.

GCSE (minimum grade C or grade 4)
A good GCSE profile including maths and English language. These are national requirements for social work training and cannot be waived/other subjects cannot be accepted in lieu. Functional Skills, level 2 in English and maths, are acceptable.

If we make you an offer
Once you've accepted your offer, to fulfil professional requirements, you will be expected to provide evidence of the following:

  • satisfactory DBS disclosure
  • satisfactory health declaration/clearance.

Location

Falmer campus

Set in the South Downs, our Falmer campus is around four miles from Brighton city centre. 7,000 students are based here taking subjects including criminology, English, education, nursing and medicine, paramedic science, psychology and sociology. Brighton and Hove Albion's Amex stadium and beautiful Stanmer Park are right next door.

Specialist learning facilities at Falmer include the curriculum centre used by teaching and education students, which houses over 30,000 teaching resources and clinical skills and simulation suites used by health students. Psychology students learn in our applied cognition and flexible creative method labs.

Falmer campus has two halls of residence on site, as well as a library, restaurant, cafes, and a students' union shop and bar.

The campus sports centre has a fitness suite, activity studios and a sports hall. There is also a floodlit astroturf football pitch, netball and tennis courts.

Cycle lanes link Falmer with our other campuses and the city centre and there is a BTN BikeShare hub on site. There are regular bus services to the city centre and other campuses. Falmer train station is right next to campus and a nine minute journey to central Brighton.

Checkland Building, Falmer campus

Why choose us?

  • Apprenticeships rated 'Good' by Ofsted
  • The University of Brighton has been providing social work education for over 20 years
  • All staff who teach on the Social Worker programmes are registered and qualified social workers with relevant professional experience in a range of social work settings
  • Sound up-to date-knowledge of social work (and the relevant applied social sciences) theory, research, law and practice guidance
ofsted_logo_216

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