The Open University Social 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 different We 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 1K101 An introduction to Health and Social Care K113 Foundations for Social Work Practice Stage 2K270 Social Work and the Law in England K216 Applied Social Work Practice Stage 3Optional module – adult care or children and families or leadership and management K315 Critical Social Work Practice

Study timeline JanOctJanOctJanOct K113 K270 K216 K315 Stage 3 option K101 (Oct) YEAR 1YEAR 2YEAR 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 2014 K113 K216 K days practice (PCF) plus skills days New curriculum introduced 2015 New curriculum and skills days introduced 2016 The PCF and the new Curriculum

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 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 by either:  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:  Opening Doors: How to implement the Social Work Degree Programme (England) in your Agency  Regional office Learner Support

Faculty of Health and Social Care The Open University Walton Hall Milton Keynes MK7 6AA