About the course

Our Social Work Apprenticeship, available in both undergraduate and postgraduate pathways, aims to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for effective social work practice with adults, children, carers and families in a range of different settings. Successful apprentices will be equipped to promote positive change in people’s lives, improving their wellbeing and independence.

Apprentices extend their classroom-based learning through workplace practice. With support from the employment-based Mentor and the Apprenticeship Co-ordinator, each apprentice will have opportunities to place their academic study in the context of the Behaviours, Knowledge and Skills described in the Social Worker (degree) Apprenticeship Standard.

Qualifications

Upon completion of the programme, all successful graduates are awarded the following qualifications:

• BSc (Hons) or PgDip Social Work
• Level 6 Social Worker degree apprenticeship

Entry Requirements

The BSc (Hons) Social Worker Apprenticeship applicants are required to have achieved the minimum of a Level 2 qualification in English prior to commencing the course. The British Sign Language qualification is recognised as an alternative to English qualifications for apprentices for whom this is their primary language. Applicants for the Postgraduate Diploma Social Worker Apprenticeship must meet the BSc (Hons) entry requirements and hold at least a 2:2 honours degree in any subject.

Apprentices will be required, through the selection process, to draw on experiences that enable them to demonstrate the aptitude and potential to work with people in need, i.e. the appropriate personal qualities, values and skills to be a social worker, in line with the Professional Capabilities Framework (British Association of Social Workers, 2018) at entry level.

All applicants will be required to declare any previous offences (including cautions and formal warnings unless filtered) and, if selected, successful applicants will be required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Scheme check to ensure their suitability for working with vulnerable groups. In addition, applicants will need to complete health check questionnaire and give permission for contact with their GP, where necessary, to confirm their suitability for social work training.

Selection for the Social Worker Apprenticeship involves two key stages to assess candidates’ potential and aptitude for the course. The relevant sponsoring local authority, private, independent or voluntary organisation will short-list and interview appropriate candidates. Successful candidates will then undertake selection at the University of Bedfordshire, which entails completion of a written test and an individual interview with an academic member of staff, a practice educator and/or a service user/carer representative to assess their academic potential and suitability for social work education and social work. Candidates must successfully complete both assessment elements to be offered a place on the Social Worker Apprenticeship.
Apprentices will be required, through the selection process, to draw on experiences that enable them to demonstrate the aptitude and potential to work with people in need, i.e. the appropriate personal qualities, values and skills to be a social worker, in line with the Professional Capabilities Framework (British Association of Social Workers, 2018) at entry level.

Fee:

Both the BSc and PgDip routes can be funded through the Apprenticeship Levy. Organisations with an annual wage bill of less than £3 million (non-levy payers) are eligible for government funding that covers at least 95% of the total fee. As a business of any size, you can also use Manage apprenticeship service to apply for funding from large businesses that want to fund 100% of your apprenticeship training and assessment costs.