Social Work

This course will enhance your knowledge of social work theory and legislation, apply your learning to practice, and develop your critical and analytical skills as a qualified practitioner. The subject matter is interdisciplinary, derived from psychology, sociology, social policy, law and social work studies. It includes an embedded, professionally qualifying Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work, which has been approved as a qualifying award for social workers in England by Social Work England (SWE) and in Scotland by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).

Key features of the course
• Approved as a social work qualifying award in England by Social Work England (SWE) and in Scotland by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).
• Includes a compulsory residential weekend or online alternative, three workshops and two substantive work-based practice placements supervised by a practice educator.
• Equips you to engage in critical and reflective professional practice according to the Standards for Social Work Education and Codes of Practice and Conduct for the nation in which you train.
• Includes a work-based project that develops your knowledge of a particular field in social work practice and leads to recommendations for improvement in your personal/work-based context.

How long it takes
We advise that the minimum time required to complete this qualification is 30 months (two and a half years), and most students will be able to achieve the qualification within this timescale by successfully completing the modules in sequence. However, even if you do not study a module every year, you must finish the first two modules within five years and complete the qualification within nine years.

Average study time per week is likely to be 12–15 hours but will be considerably higher during periods of practice-based learning when you will typically be required to attend the placement setting four days per week for up to 23 weeks at a time.

Geographical availability
The full masters programme (including the PG Diploma) is available for study in England and Scotland. It is approved as a social work qualifying award in England by Social Work England (SWE), subject to meeting registration requirements, and in Scotland by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), subject to conditions.

The MA in Social Work is not currently available for students working in Wales.

If you already hold a qualifying Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work from another HEI, you may be eligible for credit transfer to register directly onto the final module in order to 'top up' to the Master of Arts in Social Work. This option will be available across the UK.

Modules
To gain this qualification you require:
180 credits from the following compulsory modules which must be studied in the order listed below.

Compulsory modules
• Developing social work practice (K832) 60 credits
• Advancing social work practice (K833) 60 credits
• Advancing professional practice (K805) 60 credits

When studying Developing social work practice (K832) and Advancing social work practice (K833), you’ll be required to attend compulsory practice skills workshops.

You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 60 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.

For module details please see "Course Web Page".

England
Applicants will be required to have an honours degree with a minimum 2:2 classification in any discipline, together with a proven record of experience of engaging directly with Service Users in a professional setting. Candidates’ experience will be considered individually on application, but we would normally expect a minimum of one year's experience – either paid or voluntary – in a setting such as a local authority or a health or social care provider in the private, voluntary or independent sector.

Applicants who do not meet the work experience requirement but hold a 2:1 classification in a cognate discipline will also be considered. Relevant subjects include:
• Health and Social Care
• Nursing
• Occupational Therapy
• Psychology
• Sociology/Social Studies
• Law/Legal studies
• Teaching/Education

In addition, you must:
• Complete an OU application form which will include a personal statement, references and employer’s endorsement
• Complete a declaration of suitability for social work
• Have GCSE grade 9–4 (A*–C) in English and mathematics or certified equivalent
• Demonstrate IT competence through self-declaration
• Achieve an International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS) score of 7 if English is not your first language
• Undertake a written test
• Take part in an interview
• 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 a health check. If, in exceptional circumstances, there are serious doubts about your fitness to practice on health grounds, the University’s doctor may ask you to undergo a medical examination. This examination will be at your own expense.

You must be supported by your employer, who must undertake to provide the required practice learning opportunities. Applications for this qualification can only be made via the supporting agency.

Scotland
Due to the selection process and pre-entry Reflective Practice Activities necessary for this programme, applications have closed for entry in January 2024. Applications for the Independent route close on Friday 12th April 2024 for entry in January 2025. For sponsored students, please discuss with your employing agency for further information and deadlines.

Applicants are expected to hold a degree in a relevant health/societal/psychology or other cognate discipline such as:
• Health and Social Care
• Nursing
• Occupational Therapy
• Psychology
• Sociology/Social Studies
• Law/Legal studies
• Teaching/Education

Holders of other degrees may be considered, depending on the content of their degree, completion of other relevant qualifications, work/volunteer experience etc.

Applicants must also have a proven record of experience of engaging directly with Service Users in a professional setting. Candidates’ experience will be considered individually on application, but we would normally expect a minimum of one year’s experience – either paid or voluntary – in a setting such as a local authority or a health or social care provider in the private, voluntary or independent sector.

In addition, you must:
• Complete an OU application form including a personal statement and satisfactory references
• Be part of a selection process which includes an interview
• Demonstrate that you have appropriate personal and intellectual qualities to train as a social worker
• Demonstrate your ability to understand and communicate in written and spoken English
• Provide evidence of numeracy equivalent to a minimum SCQF level 5 Core Skills Numeracy at Grade C. The Scottish Qualifications Certificate documents the Core Skills Profile. Numeracy skills may also be evidenced by a numeracy test during the selection process if you do not hold an appropriate qualification.
• Register as a student social worker with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), which includes a check under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme

You must also have the support of your employer:
• This may involve them sponsoring you on the programme, which involves paying your fees, arranging your placements and supporting you through the programme.
• If you are making an individual (Independent) application, you will still be required to obtain a line manager’s/supervisor’s reference, which takes the form of a supportive statement, asking them to provide their opinion on your personal qualities and suitability to undertake training as a social worker.
• Whether you are an Independent or Sponsored student, any offer of a place is conditional on the successful completion of pre-entry Reflective Practice Activities (equivalent to 30 days practice) prior to module registration. Further details will be provided to successful candidates.
• Your employer would also have to agree to release you for two periods of practice learning (170 days in total) during the programme.

How to apply
Further information and details on how to apply are available from the School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care website. Please note that applications are taken for the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work and students decide at a later date whether they wish to continue to the MA in Social Work.

180 credits

Minimum – 30 months

See Course Web Page link for next start date.

Career relevance
This is a broad qualification spanning children and families, adults and mental health social work and prepares graduates to work in a range of settings including local authorities, healthcare providers and the private, voluntary and independent sector.

Successful completion of the embedded Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work acts as a social work qualifying award in England, subject to meeting registration requirements, by Social Work England (SWE) and, subject to conditions, in Scotland by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).