Insight

Degree Apprenticeship opens different path to social work careers

Increasing numbers of social workers in England are joining their profession via a social work degree apprenticeship.

It's now more than six years since this work-based route to study was rolled out nationally, and in that time its popularity and reach has grown considerably.

The Social Work Integrated Degree offers a 'non-traditional' way into higher Education for people already working in the sector. Devised by employers and academic institutions, the level 6 qualification covers all the essential skills social workers need in a demanding and challenging job.

According to Skills for Care, the strategic workforce development and planning body for adult social care in England, the number of people starting social work apprenticeships in 2022-23 rose to 1,060 compared with 740 the year before. And four out of five apprentices who made up the degree programme's first cohort - that's 82.7% -qualified as social workers. The remaining 17.3% didn't finish their training which means that everyone who completed the course, passed it!

The social work degree is now available at universities throughout England including Manchester Metropolitan, Leeds Beckett, Central Lancashire, Liverpool John Moores, Sheffield Hallam and Sunderland in the North.

Midlands-based universities running the course include Staffordshire, Warwick, Derby, Nottingham and Birmingham City, while Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Middlesex and London South Bank are among the Southern universities offering it.

Social work is a regulated occupation so all training providers must be approved by Social Work England, a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Education.

Benefits for apprentices

The degree apprenticeship leads directly to a BSc Hons in social work. It provides entry to higher education for people who, usually for financial reasons, couldn't go to university straight after leaving school.

With this pathway, affordability isn't an issue. Apprentices continue to be paid throughout the programme, building on their existing work-based practical skills and experience while also pursuing academic study.

Supporting and protecting society's most vulnerable members can be challenging, so social workers must have a strong set of 'soft skills' such as patience and an ability to listen as well as academic knowledge.

The level 6, devised by employers in collaboration with training bodies, gives them the practical experience and theoretical learning they'll need in such a demanding role.

Benefits for employers

Social care is reliant on motivated, committed and highly skilled people, but finding the right candidates isn't always easy. Although the number of social workers employed by local authorities in adult social care in England has grown by 2,500 since 2016, there are unfilled posts.

As of September 2023, there were around 1,900 vacancies for social worker roles, reports Skills for Care, the strategic workforce development and planning body for adult social care in England.

Latest DfE figures also show that in September 2023, 18.9% of full-time equivalent children's social work posts in English local authorities were vacant.

The degree apprenticeship allows employers to address this difficult situation by widening their recruitment pool and upskilling staff who are already on the payroll.

And, as apprentices are full-time employees, training on the job, they can put their learning into practice straight away, helping employers to improve their services.

Employers who pay the apprenticeship levy can use their levy funds to pay for the training. The UK government will fund apprentice training up to a maximum of £24,000.

How long is the course?

The social worker degree apprenticeship is three years long. Apprentices are employed full-time (at least 30 hours a week) and must spend at least 20% of their contracted hours completing off-the-job training.

Who is the course for and what are the entry requirements?

The programme is for people employed in the social work or care sector who want to take on greater challenges and responsibilities as qualified support workers. Apprentices must have maths and English level 4/ grade C or equivalent or have been assessed at English and Maths level 1 or 2. Those without Maths and English must reach level 2 before they can take their End Point Assessment.

What topics does the apprenticeship cover?

The social work apprenticeship was designed by employers in the social work sector, and covers the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to do the job well. County councils across the country have had an input into the programme's creation.

The course covers:

Theories, concepts and principles that underpin social work practice
Social policy and legislation
Safeguarding practice with adults
Safeguarding practice with children and families
Ethics, values and anti-oppressive practice

Where does the course lead?

The apprenticeship leads to a BA Hons degree in social work and opens the door to different specialisms within the social care sector.

Social work is a wide and varied field. Practitioners come into contact with people from the most marginalised sections of society and can be based in hospitals, schools, prisons, private companies and charitable organisations.

The groups social workers help include children and families, refugees and asylum seekers, foster carers, people with disabilities, homeless people, elderly people and people who abuse drug or alcohol.

How is the apprenticeship delivered?

Apprentices learn in the workplace while completing their tutor-supported study off the job. Employers work with the apprentice to support their learning, providing them with opportunities such as shadowing qualified social workers.

As well as undertaking placements and learning face to face and online, apprentices will also be expected to put in several hours of independent study each week. This could include reading journal articles and taking part in online activities.

If you're an employer, find out how you can use your apprenticeship levy to train social workers by downloading the complete guide to the apprenticeship levy.