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 Worker Degree Apprenticeship (SWDA) is approved by Social Work England (SWE), and successful completion entitles graduates to apply for registration as a social worker.

Our Social Worker Degree Apprenticeship is a practice-based learning programme that combines theory and practice-based learning and development, 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.

Why choose The Open University’s Social Worker Degree 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 Worker Degree 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 Worker Degree 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.

The programme is 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.

It supports the development of social work apprentices across a wide range of settings including services for adults, children and families, and mental health. The programme equips apprentices to work with professionals from other organisations, such as the police, healthcare organisations, schools and probation services.

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All SWDA applicants must:

• Have GCSE grade 9–4/A*–C/Functional/Key Skills Level 2 in English and maths, or a certified equivalent
• Demonstrate IT competence through self-declaration
• Achieve an International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS) score of 7 if English is not their first language
• Have an enhanced DBS with lists check (i.e. checks against all registers including both children and vulnerable adults) dated within one year prior to starting the programme
• Complete an application pack consisting of:
  • Application form
  • Declaration of Suitability for Social Work form
  • Equal Opportunities form
• Take part in an interview and assessment process

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.

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The Social Worker Degree Apprenticeship consists of a 360-credit degree programme of essential knowledge and skills including:

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

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Apprentices will follow a structured programme of six compulsory modules.

* Please note the Stage 3 modules are currently under review and subject to change. An updated schedule will be published once this has been confirmed.

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Depending on the intensity of study, the apprenticeship programme can be completed in three years.

The programme has six modules. The first two provide an introduction to the organisation of social care in the UK and develop apprentices’ awareness of the different components of good social work practice. The third module covers legal issues related to social care and social work, including the regulation of social care decision-making.

Apprentices then progress through two practice-focused work-based learning modules, which include a defined period of assessed practice learning. In these work-based and blended learning modules, apprentices will be required to reflect on their role and document their acquisition of skills and competencies in their portfolio. The final module consists of consolidation of learning in preparation for undertaking the apprenticeship End-point Assessment. 

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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:

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