The Open UniversitySocial Work Degree Programme in England

An introduction for employers

Photo: Karen Parker

Our track record

Successfully educating social workers since 1997

Over 1500 graduates in England since the launch of the Degree Programme in 2005

Listed in top 5 for student satisfaction in the National Student Satisfaction Survey

Re-approved by HCPC in 2013

Co-produced award winning TV documentaries, including ‘Someone to watch over me’, ‘Sectioned’, ‘Protecting our children’

OU Social Work Programme: the same, but differentWe are the same:

Regulation: HCPC

Complies with College of Social Work recommendations for – Curriculum– Assessment

Work in partnership with service users and carers

We are different: Our students are already

practitioners Our tutors are practitioners Distance learning Employer supported and

work based Employers have ownership

of practice placements

Added value

Anecdotal evidence that sponsored students

remain with their employers for longer

Develop staff and offer career progression within your

organisation

A practitioner background can help newly qualified

staff to fulfil their qualified role more quickly

The OU work-based Social Work Degree Programme Distance learning

Can be completed in 3 years but may extend to 8 years

Readiness for practice in the first stage

2 practice placements in stages 2 and 3

Skills days and tutorials built into the Programme across all 3 years

Assessment against the PCF

Digital literacy skills development

Stages of study

Critical analysis:K315 Critical social

work practice

Awareness:K113 Foundations for social work practice

Application:K216 Applied social work practice

What will students study?

Stage 1 K101 An introduction to Health and Social Care

K113 Foundations for Social Work Practice

Stage 2 K270 Social Work and the Law in England

K216 Applied Social Work Practice

Stage 3 Optional module – adult care or children and families or leadership and management

K315 Critical Social Work Practice

Study timeline

Jan Oct Jan Oct Jan Oct

K113

K270

K216

K315

Stage 3 option

K101 (Oct)

YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3

Oct

Practice placements

100 days on K216 (70 days from 2015)

100 days on K315

One can be in the student’s own workplace

Final placement must cover statutory interventions

Holistic assessment against the regulatory and professional requirements of the PCF

Supervised and assessed by suitably qualified practice educator

Preparations for ASYE

100 days practice (PCF)

100 days practice

(PCF)

20 ‘readiness for practice’ days New curriculum introduced 2014K113

K216

K315

2014 2015 2016

70 days practice (PCF) plus skills days

New curriculum introduced 2015

New curriculum and skills days

introduced 2016

The PCF and the newCurriculum

Student support: people

Teaching:

Module tutors

On placement:

Programme tutor

Agency coordinator

Practice educators

Workplace supervisors

Region:

Staff tutor

Learner support

Student support: resources

Online resources provided in many formats:

OU Skills for study

▪Video, audio and

podcasts

▪Interactive learning

Forums

▪Practice learning

resources

Module study planner

OU library

Student support: resources (2)

Print based resources:– Guidance and handbooks– Printed study materials– Readings– Readers

Assessment

Academic assignments (TMAs)

Interactive computer marked assessments (iCMAs)

End-of-module assessments and exams

Practice assessment report

Rigorous quality assurance

Correspondence tuition is monitored

Practice learning evaluation

Continuing professional development of tutors

Subject to regular review under OU QA processes

Student and employer feedback

Stakeholder groups

The student is required to…

Study for 16-18 hours per week, for each 60 credit module

Submit assessments by the due dates

Attend skills days and tutorials

Have a lot of stamina!

The employer is required to…

Sponsor students by:

Providing 2 placements at intermediate and final stages

Providing 2 different suitably qualified practice educators

Ensuring the student is supported with appropriate study time

Selection onto the Programme (1)

Interview for selection can be conducted byeither:

the sponsoring agency (if approved by the OU)

or

the OU (on specified selection days at predetermined locations)

Selection (2)Entry requirements include:

240 UCAS credits (A’ level) or K101

GCSE grade A*-C in English and Maths

Declaration of suitability for social work:– Enhanced DBS with lists– Medical fitness to practise

Formal application with written statement

Panel interview including written test (may involve a group exercise)

* Evidence of meeting academic requirements will be needed at interview

Further information

Health and Social Care prospectus

Social work programme website:

www.openuniversity.co.uk/socialwork

Opening Doors: How to implement the Social Work Degree Programme (England) in your Agency

Regional office Learner Support

Faculty of Health and Social CareThe Open UniversityWalton HallMilton KeynesMK7 6AA

www.open.ac.uk