Social Work BA (Hons) Integrated Degree Apprenticeship
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Our commitment to high quality teaching has been recognised with a TEF Gold rating. The University has received an overall rating of Gold, as well as securing a Gold award in the framework's two new student experience and student outcomes categories.
Why choose this programme?
This is a unique and bespoke programme co-produced with London employers. The programme ensures you are supported by both your employers and the University, to gain knowledge, skills and qualities that make for an effective social work practitioner who is sought after by employers. After successful completion, you will be recommended for registration with Social Work England as a social worker.
Typically, you'll spend one day with the University, and the rest of your time will be at your place of employment. There will also be some blocks of teaching and study during the programme.
Three work-based learning modules, supported by your employer, will develop your own social work knowledge and skills to inform your practice. The programme leads to the award of a BA (Hons) Social Work (Degree Apprenticeship) and a professional qualification through End-Point Assessment (EPA).
| Attendance | Year of entry |
|---|---|
| 3 years (University and workplace) | 2024 2025 |
Please note: Teaching on this course may take place on more than one KU campus.
| Main Location | Kingston Hill and London Social Work partners |
Reasons to choose Kingston University
- This course is accredited by Social Work England.
- This is a unique and bespoke apprenticeship co-produced with London employers with input from a wide range of social work practitioners and people with lived experience of social work.
- Kingston is part of a sector-leading social work teaching partnership network with nine local authorities and three voluntary organisations.
Accreditation
The programme is approved by Social Work England. On completion, the apprentice will have fully satisfied the educational base for Social Work training and following satisfactory fulfilment of the End Point Assessment, successful apprentices would be eligible to apply to Social Work England for professional registration as a social worker.
What you will study
You will gain a foundation in ethics, diversity, psychology, sociology, social policy and law for social work practice. You will study best practice with adults and children, engaging with areas such as mental health, disability, adoption and fostering, substance misuse, children in conflict with the law, and domestic violence.
This degree apprenticeship is designed to support learning both at the workplace, where you will spend 80% of your time learning on the job in work-based settings with your employer, and at the University, where you will spend a minimum of 20% of your time engaged in off-the-job learning attending Kingston University taught sessions. Some of the modules are taught in 5-day and 10-day blocks.
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
In your first year, the modules will help prepare you for social work, enabling you to develop a repertoire of professional responses that can be used in practice. You will be introduced to theories of human development, law, policy and ethics. Alongside these modules, you will take a work based learning module that allows you to demonstrate practice skills mapped against the readiness for direct practice level, followed by the first placement level of the social work professional capability framework (PCF).
Core modules
Transitions into Social Work
30 credits
This is the first module on the programme. It is designed to prepare apprentices for the transition into the social work apprenticeship degree by aiding the development of their professional identities. Previous learning experiences will be re-contextualised to demonstrate how their knowledge, skills and behaviours apply within social workers' responsibility and accountability, as required by the professional regulator and the relevant standards.
This module will support apprentices to develop a repertoire of professional responses that will be developed in practice.
The focus is on developing a deeper understanding of the apprentice's professional identities. Apprentices will engage in activities that take them beyond knowledge of the social worker role, to an understanding of what it means to personally and professionally enter into the social work profession, along with the natural shifts in power and inherent tensions in any new role. Active reflection on values, attitudes, expectations and beliefs will guide apprentices to develop their ‘professional selves'.
Foundational Skills and Knowledge for Practice: Development Across the Lifespan
30 credits
This module is designed to introduce apprentices to theories, research and models that inform apprentices' understanding of human development, patterns of human behaviour, and interventions and decisions in the workplace. The module encourages apprentices to develop an analytical approach to learning in preparation for developing professional practice. The application of critical thinking tools will aid apprentices to evaluate the credibility and appropriateness of specific academic material to their observation.
Introduction to Law, Policy and Ethics for Practice
30 credits
In order to start developing legal literacy, apprentices will be guided to interpret information within the legislative frameworks and assess the extent to which given sets of facts meet certain legal criteria. Apprentices will have the opportunity to learn about the different policies that influence social work practice, the laws that determine what practitioners are able and are required to do as social workers and the legal impact of practice on the rights of individuals and families.
Apprentices will build upon prior learning using the module learning outcomes to demonstrate their preparation for their new role as a social work apprentice. Previous learning experiences will be re-contextualised to demonstrate how their knowledge, skills and behaviours apply within social workers' responsibility and accountability, as required by the professional regulator and the relevant standards.
Introduction to Social Work Practice: Work Based Learning with Employer
30 credits
This is the first of three modules on this course that enable apprentices to demonstrate practice skills against the nine domains of the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) and the Integrated Degree Apprenticeship Standards for Social Workers.
Apprentices will build upon prior learning using the module learning outcomes to demonstrate their preparation for their new role as an apprentice social worker. Previous learning experiences will be re-contextualised to demonstrate how their knowledge, skills and behaviours apply within social workers' responsibility and accountability, as required by the professional regulator and the relevant standards.
In this on-the-job learning module, apprentices will be supported by a mentor, sub-regional assessor (SRA), and their line manager and/or mentor to work through agreed learning objectives mapped against the appropriate levels of the PCF and apprenticeship standards. People with lived experience will be involved throughout.
You will learn about inter-professional work and develop a degree of practice agility to work effectively within different settings. You will learn to evaluate how social work models, theories and research inform planning, assessment, and interventions; and further develop knowledge on social work in action, developing your earlier legal learning and applying into a rights and justice based social work context.
You will also take a work based module where you will undertake a contrasting work based learning experience mapped against the second placement level requirements of the social work professional capability framework (PCF).
Core modules
Building Skills for Social Work Practice
30 credits
Apprentices will use the module learning outcomes to demonstrate their preparation for their role as a social work apprentice. Previous learning experiences will be re-contextualised to demonstrate how their knowledge, skills and behaviours apply within social workers' responsibility and accountability, as required by the professional regulator and the relevant standards.
This module builds on the knowledge apprentices gained in SWAD 4.2 (Development across the lifespan) Drawing on apprentices current practice, this module enables apprentices to further develop their ability to evaluate how social work models, research, and theories inform planning, assessment, and interventions. Drawing on the narrative accounts of those with lived experiences of social work, apprentices will be supported to increase their reflective awareness of how assumptions and biases promote or hinder outcomes. Apprentices will begin to build confidence and ability to understand complexity and risk while developing professional decision-making skills.
Developing your social work practice: on the job learning
30 credits
This is the second of three modules on this course that enable apprentices to demonstrate practice skills against the nine domains of the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) and the Integrated Degree Apprenticeship Standards for Social Workers. Apprentices will build upon prior learning using the module learning outcomes to demonstrate their preparation for their role as an apprentice social worker. Previous learning experiences will be re-contextualised to demonstrate how their knowledge, skills and behaviours apply within social workers' responsibility and accountability, as required by the professional regulator and the relevant standards.
Interprofessional Working and Developing your Professional Identity
30 credits
This module builds on the Transitions module in year one and further develops apprentices' professional identity. Apprentices will develop behavioural skills, values and knowledge to work collaboratively within organisational systems as well as inter-professionally, while remaining accountable to their own organisations with a clear sense of social work identity. Apprentices will gain an understanding of the thread between organisational systems, research informed practice and, outcomes for people living with the experience of social work. Previous learning experiences will be re-contextualised to demonstrate how their knowledge, skills and behaviours apply within social workers' responsibility and accountability, as required by the professional regulator and the relevant standards.
Social Work in Action: Rights and Responsibilities in Practice
30 credits
This module builds on apprentices learning about law, policy and ethics from level 4 and translates earlier learning into a rights and justice based social work context. This will develop apprentices' legal literacy and the use of professional authority and make judgements within legal and ethical frameworks. All content is considered from national and international perspectives to ensure that apprentices are able to connect global forces that inform structural, legal and professional parameters. Previous learning experiences will be re-contextualised to demonstrate how their knowledge, skills and behaviours apply within social workers' responsibility and accountability, as required by the professional regulator and the relevant standards.
In the final year of the course, you will complete a module to consolidate knowledge and skills for practice, examined by an in-depth analysis of a case study from practice, and an integrated approach to practice (a work-based module). The final module enables you to take a creative approach towards your social work practice. You will create an idea which will benefit professional practice.
Upon successful completion of the academic modules and gaining a total of 360 credits, apprentices are nominated by their employers to finish the End Point Assessment (EPA). As a gateway requirement, in addition to the 360 credits, you must provide evidence of a specified level of English and maths, and satisfactory completion of the off-the-job hours.
Core modules
Consolidation of Knowledge and Skills for Practice
30 credits
This final year consolidation project enables apprentices to synthesise and apply the knowledge and skills that they have acquired throughout the apprenticeship programme by undertaking an in-depth analysis of a case study derived from work-based learning. This should be a case study that raises issues that related to a developing specialist area or interest to the apprentice. Previous learning experiences will be re-contextualised to demonstrate how their knowledge, skills and behaviours apply within social workers' responsibility and accountability, as required by the professional regulator and the relevant standards. This module is also designed to help apprentices prepare for the end point assessment by supporting the development of skills that will enable them to approach the end point assessment equipped with the necessary ability to apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired throughout the apprenticeship.
Integrated Approaches to Practice: On the Job Learning
60 credits
This is the third of three modules on this course that enable apprentices to demonstrate practice skills against the nine domains of the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) and the Integrated Degree Apprenticeship Standards for Social Workers. Apprentices will build upon prior learning using the module learning outcomes to demonstrate their preparation for their role as a pre-qualifying apprentice social worker. Previous learning experiences will be re-contextualised to demonstrate how their knowledge, skills and behaviours apply within social workers' responsibility and accountability, as required by the professional regulator and the relevant standards.
Developing Creative Approaches to Working in Professional Practice
30 credits
This final year module allows you to investigate and design a product of potential benefit to children, young people, or adults. You will firstly identify an area of interest linked to a current issue, concern, gap, or dilemma which is linked to your practice. You will then use the knowledge, skills, and experience that you have acquired throughout the course, and your professional experience, to investigate and identify what could helpfully address the issue identified. You will be expected to demonstrate person-focused practice, creativity, and problem-solving ability in developing an idea which will be of practical use in working with people. This might include a direct work tool(s), creation of a VLOG or other form of representation, that identifies and attends to the issues/ dilemma and justifies the approach taken.
Please note
Optional modules only run if there is enough demand. If we have an insufficient number of students interested in an optional module, that module will not be offered for this course.
Entry requirements
Teaching and assessment
Learning on this course will take place both in your place of work and at the University. You will spend 80% of your time learning on the job (work-based learning with your employer) and at least 20% of your time learning off the job (attending Kingston University taught sessions or engaged in guided independent study).
Throughout your course, you will be supported by a team comprising a university-based sub-regional assessor (SRA), a work-based line manager and a work-based mentor. The SRA will be your academic and personal tutor who will assess your on-the-job learning, working closely with your line manager, your mentor and yourself to complete a Personal Learner Curriculum (PLC). This is a document that outlines support arrangements for both on-the-job and off-the-job learning, to maximise your potential. Regular meetings will be held to review the PLC to ensure it is kept up to date.
During off-the-job learning, you will attend university-delivered teaching sessions and participate in interactive seminars with other apprentices on this course. The University has a range of support systems, including online learning resources, to support you to prepare and submit work for assessment at the end of each module.
Who teaches this programme?
Every member of the teaching staff has substantial practice experience in social work. In addition, many are actively involved in social work research, presenting regularly at conferences and publishing in books and journals. In addition, our course teams draw on the wealth of experience provided by our professional contacts and service users and carers who feed into the design of our courses and provide teaching and supervision to enrich your learning.
Facilities
We collaborate across Kingston University and external organisations to come up with creative ideas to solve social care issues in the community, so that students are given the opportunity to apply their learning to real-world problems.
The Practice Learning Suite is a purpose-built facility where social work and social care students have the opportunity to learn and to practise key skills.
Social Work Skills Lab
The skills lab is a purpose-built facility where social work students have the opportunity to learn and to practise key social work skills.
Social workers undertaking continuing professional development courses develop their assessment and intervention skills and other skills such as mentoring, teaching and providing reflective supervision.
What's available?
The skills lab is divided into several sections including:
- a seminar/case conference room for a maximum of 20 people;
- a simulated living-room and front door to assist in developing skills relating to home visits;
- five interview rooms simulating work environments;
- a control room with two-way mirror and viewing monitors; and
- all rooms have fitted cameras and microphones so that activities can be recorded.
A flexible, creative space
The skills lab has been designed to be a multi-functional space which allows flexible use. The furniture is all portable and can be changed according to the simulated activities required.
The small rooms can be used for practising communication skills and simulating supervision sessions.
The large room can be used as a teaching or seminar room and can be set up as a simulated case conference room or duty desk.
Participants have the opportunity to engage in creative skills development activities and benefit from live supervision and feedback from the recorded material.
End-Point Assessment (EPA)
Each apprentice on an approved Apprenticeship Standard is required to take an End-Point Assessment (EPA) to complete the programme. The EPA is delivered by an End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) that is registered with the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).
The EPA is either integrated as part of the apprenticeship or completed after the course element. If an apprentice is completing the EPA after the course element, they must ensure they have successfully completed their learning, achieved the gateway requirements and finished uploading their evidence prior to taking the EPA.
Local Employer Group (LEG)
The LEG was established to monitor, support and enhance the delivery and operation of the programme. This includes management and periodically reviewing of work-based learning by this established local employer group with the aim of delivering an apprenticeship programme that is a high-quality satisfactory experience for all. Representatives of apprentices are invited to serve on the group. Terms of reference include:
In advance of each group meeting, the course administrator asks the apprentice representative to gather feedback from their fellow apprentices to be channelled through them at the meeting.
Next steps
There are opportunities in the statutory, voluntary and private sectors. Social workers increasingly work in integrated, interprofessional teams in social care, health, education and criminal justice.
Employees
If you are currently employed full-time and would like to find out more about apprenticeships, please ask your employer to contact the Kingston University apprenticeship team.
Employers
If you are an employer interested in how apprenticeships can support your organisation and employees, please contact the apprenticeship team for further details.
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Course changes explained.
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
