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A image to illustrate Advancing social work practice module
This is an interdisciplinary module with subject matter derived from psychology, sociology, social policy, law and social work studies. It builds on the pre-requisite module Developing social work practice (K832) and will support you as a student social worker in becoming a confident, analytical and reflective practitioner. You'll extend your research skills and explore social work practice with different groups of people with lived experience.
This module has been designed to support students in continuing their journey toward becoming confident, critical, analytical, and reflective practitioners who can work with others to help meet the often complex needs of those who require social work support. This also entails being able to provide professional authority and leadership as qualified social workers.
This module is delivered over eight months and includes a practice placement experience alongside academic study. It will begin in October and conclude in June. Before starting this module, you must have successfully completed and passed Developing Social Work Practice (K832). The practice learning opportunity cannot commence until this prerequisite has been met.
During this module, you will study four blocks: Research-Based Practice; Mental Health; Professional Development; and one from the Social Work Practice with Children and Families or the Social Work Practice with Adults option. For the final block of the prerequisite module K832, you will have chosen either the Social Work Practice with Children and Families or the Social Work Practice with Adults option, alongside your placement, to support your practice learning. In K833, you will select the alternative to the option you chose for K832 to provide contrast in placement focus. Relevant teaching on law, digital and information literacy, values and ethics, safeguarding practices, theories and approaches in social work intervention, research methods, and evidence-based practice has been integrated into the module blocks.
This module has been designed on pedagogic principles associated with active learning and uses a blended-learning approach of online and face-to-face teaching and learning. Therefore, the learning materials include a range of module-directed multimedia activities for you to engage in to support your learning about social work. You will access the learning guides and activities online through the module website and will be supported through additional readings. Likewise, you will also engage with video and audio resources, draw upon a range of online tools that suit your study needs, and take part in activities with other students online and at face-to-face learning events. Where it is not possible to provide face-to-face learning, online alternatives will be offered. You will be alerted to any changes.
In addition to module-directed activities within the learning materials, there are opportunities to engage in independent learning. The design of the module is informed by the fact that when you become a qualified social worker, you will be expected to be able to address complex situations, think for yourself, collaborate with other professionals and be accountable for your actions. Both academically and in your practice, you will increasingly be called on to make your own decisions and evaluations.
This module will help you to develop knowledge and skills in these areas through these regular opportunities for independent learning that will enable you to relate your study closely to your own practice context and to your particular learning needs.
The module has three main learning components:
You will be expected to critically apply relevant knowledge, skills and values in a practice setting to a professional standard. This will entail demonstrating your analytical use of module concepts and research findings, showing a critical appreciation of a range of social work theories and methods, and evidencing your ability to apply them appropriately to practice.
It is a professional requirement that you engage in practice skills development, which will take place at three practice skills workshops. The workshops are usually held face-to-face, but online alternatives will be offered where this is not possible due to public health restrictions or other exceptional circumstances and in agreement with the tutor. The three workshops will form an essential component of skills development.
After successfully completing the K833 module, you will be able to:
Advancing social work practice (K833) is the second of the two compulsory modules leading to the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work which is a professionally qualifying award.
On successful completion of both K832 and K833 you will be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work, entitling you to use the letters PG Dip Soc Wk (Open) after your name.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work (E85) qualification description provides information about the regulatory approvals in place for the PG Dip Soc Wk (Open).
A module tutor will help with the academic content of the module, mark and comment on your written work, and provide academic advice and guidance. Most of the contact with your tutor will be through email and online discussion forums, although phone communication may also be used. Your tutor will run three compulsory face-to-face practice skills workshops. The practice workshops provide essential support for you to apply module concepts to your practice learning. As well as the workshops, you will be expected to participate in your online tutor group discussion forum.
A practice tutor will provide individual support and arrange meetings in relation to your placement and professional development. Questions of a professional social work practice nature should be directed to the practice tutor.
Course work includes:
Additionally, your practice learning will be assessed through a Practice Assessment Report (PAR) submitted at the end of your placement, which will lead to a pass or fail recommendation to be considered by a Practice Assessment Panel and finally ratified by the Module Result Panel at the end of the module.
Online learning guides containing interactive activities, video and audio resources, a reader, assessment guide, practice learning guide, and a programme handbook.
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
You can study this module on its own or use the credits you gain towards an Open University qualification.
K833 is a compulsory module in our:
Sometimes you cannot count a module towards a qualification if you have already counted another module with similar content. To verify any excluded combinations with this module, check with an adviser before registering.
Advancing social work practice (K833) starts once a year – in October.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2028.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
This module is only available as part of the MA in Social Work and Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work, which has minimum academic and other entry requirements and a formal admissions process.
In addition, you will need to have successfully completed and passed Developing social work practice (K832).
This module is not available for study outside the UK, because the work-based learning must take place within a relevant regulatory framework.
Further information about how to apply is available from the School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care.
You will need to have successfully completed and passed Developing social work practice (K832) and have access to a practice placement organised by your sponsoring agency.
You would have already received guidance on how to get started online in your first module mailing. This will provide you with information on using your computer for OU study, using the OU Computing Guide. For example, it explains how to access and use your module website and online discussion forums. If you have time before the module starts, you can work through this and explore all the online services available to you.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our disability support pages.
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If you study this module as part of an eligible qualification, you can apply for a postgraduate loan to support your study costs. To find out more, see Postgraduate loans in England.
Studying with The Open University can boost your employability. OU courses are recognised and respected by employers for their excellence and the commitment they take to complete. They also value the skills that students learn and can apply in the workplace.
Over 30,000 employers have used the OU to develop staff so far. If the module you’ve chosen is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could approach your employer to see if they will sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees.
You can pay part or all of your tuition fees upfront with a debit or credit card when you register for each module.
We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron.
Please note: your permanent address/domicile will affect your fee status and, therefore, the fees you are charged and any financial support available to you. The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
This is the second module of the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work and is only available to those registered on the qualification.
This is the second module of the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work and is only available to those registered on the qualification.
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