Social Work | Degree Apprenticeship BSC (Hons)

Entry Requirements 2026/27

Modules Overview 2026/27

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

Year one Year two Year three

Year one

DA4088 -

Academic Skills, Research and Critical Reflection (20 Credits)

This module focuses on academic, research skills and critical reflection and apprentices can expect to cover a range of related topics essential for effective study on a qualifying social work degree apprentice programme. They will develop academic, research and critical thinking abilities for analysing information and making sound decisions. They will learn basic research skills to effectively locate, evaluate and utilise academic and data sources. An important skill for social work practice is the ability to write well, which requires skills in clarity, organisation and proper referencing. This module will consequently enhance development of written and oral English and maths as the module emphasises academic integrity, ensuring apprentices understand correct academic citation and how to avoid plagiarism as well as how to access, analyse and make sense of qualitative and quantitative data. Apprentices will learn how to utilise online resources and technologies, including managing research data and AI with integrity and for appropriate use for social work practice and in academic writing. Apprentices will also learn to deliver authoritative and engaging presentations and manage their time effectively including setting goals and prioritising tasks. . Apprentices will develop skills in effective notetaking and critical reading and writing, which involves actively engaging with texts to understand their methods, arguments, assumptions and implications, as well as evaluating their credibility and relevance. Apprentices will learn techniques for approaching and solving problems systematically, in academic and practice contexts.

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DA4089 -

Introduction to Law and Policy (30 Credits)

The Introduction to Law and Social Policy module will provide a foundation for lawful, ethical, and safe practice; enabling apprentices to understand the technical and applied aspects of social work law. It will provide apprentices with an opportunity to develop critical knowledge and skills in legal literacy and an understanding of the ethical, rights-based and social justice basis of social work practice. The module themes will be explored with reference to the Children Act 1989; The Care Act 2014; The Mental Capacity Act 2005; The Human Rights Act 1989, The United Nation Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989, and the Equality Act 2010.

This module will equip apprentices with the foundational knowledge and skills for social work within the required legal frameworks which inform practice. We will examine social policy, exploring how it shapes the services available and the impact on individuals and communities. Apprentices will gain a foundational understanding of the legal frameworks that govern social work, along with the roles and responsibilities social workers hold within those legal contexts. Ethical considerations, the relevance and application of Social Work England's professional standards, and legal duties towards service users and communities will also be addressed. The importance of human rights in social work will be examined, highlighting a role as an advocate for social justice and how legal and policy knowledge empowers social workers to champion the needs of marginalised populations. Finally, the module will explore the importance of collaboration with other professionals, emphasising effective communication and partnership-building and collaborative-working skills as essential tools for success in the field.

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DA4091 -

Social Context and Theory (20 Credits)

The Social Context and Theory module serves as the cornerstone for first-year social work apprentices. It equips them with a critical lens to understand the intricate interplay between social issues, legal frameworks and the values that underpin effective social work practice. Through a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, apprentices will explore the diverse landscapes that social workers navigate.
Apprentices will delve into the roles and responsibilities of social workers. This includes exploring the legal frameworks and ethical considerations that guide their practice, with a strong emphasis on upholding human rights. They will also gain a solid understanding of key legal structures and legislative processes relevant to social work with adults and children. The module delves into the impact of social, economic and political environments on individuals, families, and communities. Apprentices will critically analyse how these factors shape social issues and the importance of advocating for social justice and equity. Additionally, they will explore the rich tapestry of social work contexts, both nationally and internationally. This could involve looking at issues like migration, refugee support, and the impact of climate change on social policies.

The module focuses on fostering core skills essential for social workers. Apprentices will develop foundational communication skills to interact effectively with people from diverse backgrounds in different social work settings. They will also begin cultivating critical reflection skills to analyse their own experiences and decision-making processes, a key aspect of lifelong learning. Integrating service-user perspectives into planning and delivering social services will be emphasised, ensuring user voices are heard and valued.

The module recognises the importance of values in social work practice. Apprentices will develop a commitment to lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Cultural humility and inclusivity will be emphasised, fostering respect for individual differences. Ethical decision-making principles will be introduced, guiding apprentices to uphold integrity in professional relationships. Apprentices will begin to understand the importance of promoting social justice within the social work profession. The concept of professional identity and its alignment with core social work values will be introduced. Finally, apprentices will explore the importance of self-awareness and self-reflection in social work practice and develop a budding sense of advocacy for ensuring equitable access to social care.

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DA4092 -

Skills for Social Work Practice (30 Credits)

This module serves as a foundational step towards becoming a registered Social Worker, providing apprentices with essential skills for navigating the complexities of contemporary social work. Emphasising communication skills, it cultivates skills in understanding, supporting, and engaging with people effectively. Central to this are empathy and emotional intelligence, enabling apprentices to recognise, understand, and manage emotions, fostering deeper connections with people. Culturally competent communication is highlighted, emphasising the importance of cultural awareness, respect, and adaptability. Establishing rapport and trust through genuineness, boundary maintenance, and consistency are important in effective communication in practice settings. Nonverbal communication, including body language and eye contact, is honed to convey openness and engagement with people. Ethical considerations, such as confidentiality and transparency, underscore every professional interaction. Through simulated practices, case studies, and peer feedback, apprentices refine their skills, applying them to diverse scenarios. This comprehensive approach equips future social workers with the proficiency and sensitivity necessary to make meaningful impacts in the lives of people.

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DA4093 -

Experiential Social Work (20 Credits)

This module aims to explain and emphasise learning of the importance of personal, professional and educational development in the process of becoming a qualified social worker. Apprentices will develop reflective skills and the confidence to discuss their personal and professional development – The module is designed for development of highly authentic abilities for effective apprentices and qualified social workers and will provide a context for apprentices’ preparation for, and learning frompractice.

As a part of the expectation at the point of entry to the practice placement experience apprentices are required to undertake 20 skills days at Level Four. These skills days are embedded within the module and form 20-day skills in practice opportunity in Semester 2, which will introduce apprentices to the wider community context for social work practice and will form part of their readiness for practice assessment.

Sessions taught will include a focus on the skill of critical reflection for, within and on practice, the location of social work within the broader community, observation skills in practice, development of professional identity and social graces, groupwork in practice, managing challenging situations and communication skills in practice.

This module introduces apprentices to an electronic portfolio that will travel with them for the duration of their apprenticeship journey and will be assessed at the end each level. The portfolio will include: An initial learning plan, a skills audit, reflective narratives of work from the 20-day skills opportunity, text blogs and video blogs.

The portfolio will start with readiness for direct practice for the apprenticeship route and will be developed further in years two and three, primarily in the apprentice work-based placement modules.

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Year two

DA5108 -

Intervening in People’s Lives (30 Credits)

Building upon the foundation established in Year 1's Social Context and Theory module, this further advanced module provides apprentices with a deeper understanding of theoretical frameworks used in social work practice. This module equips apprentices with the knowledge and skills to effectively assess and intervene in the lives of individuals, families and communities. As an apprentice they will explore a range of theoretical frameworks including systemic practice to understand complex social dynamics. They will develop critical communication skills and analyse how power structures and inequalities impact people's lives. The module emphasises ethical decision-making, value-based practiceand collaboration with communities. Intervening in people’s lives involves assessment, planning, interventionand review which are core to the social work process. This module will support apprentices to develop knowledge, understanding and skills to intervene to effect change with people with lived experience of social work services in a range of practice situations. In social work there is not one type of approach that fits all situations; therefore, this module will present a range of assessment and intervention theories, knowledge, and skills.

The module aims to orientate apprentices to the breadth of relevant social work knowledge, including international perspectives, and skills, as well as the language and key terms used within assessment and intervention processes.

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DA5109 -

Social Work Law and Ethics: the context of your organisation (30 Credits)

This module builds on the Introduction to Law and Policy module at Level 4. The purpose of this module is to enable apprentices to understand and explore the detailed application of the law in relation to social work practice in their organisational context, and when their role is concerned with safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of individuals, families and carers. Apprentices will examine the interface between the law, social work values and social work ethics, and consider how legal and policy frameworks are used to promote and sometimes restrict the rights and liberty of service users. Apprentices will reflect upon the complexity of contemporary universal and national laws, and the social and political contexts within service delivery settings.

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DA5111 -

Risk and Resilience (30 Credits)

The Risk and Resilience module equips second year social work apprentices with advanced knowledge and skills to navigate complex situations where risk assessment and resilience are critical. It builds upon the foundation laid in previous modules to develop adept and ethical practitioners prepared to address the nuanced challenges of the social work field.

Apprentices will delve into a comprehensive framework for risk assessment, exploring various methodologies and tools for identifying potential threats to individuals, families, and communities. This framework will be interwoven with a focus on resilience, equipping them with strategies to promote individual and community strengths in the face of adversity. Through a combination of theoretical exploration, case studies, and practical exercises, apprentices will gain a deeper understanding of social work roles, legal frameworks, theoretical approaches and ethical considerations in risk assessment and intervention. The module emphasises critical reflection, effective communication, and collaboration to ensure that service-user perspectives are integrated into the planning and delivery of services. The module encourages apprentices to explore risk assessment and risk management not only from a white, Eurocentric perspective but also from other points of view, highlighting the importance of cultural humility.

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DA5112 -

Level 5 Placement (30 Credits)

This module builds upon teaching themes and learning at Level 4. In line with the requirements of the Practice Capabilities Framework (PCF), the module aims to support the apprentice to demonstrate Professional Capability at the end of the First Placement level (British Association of Social Work, 2018). The module teaching will provide apprentices with the foundation for practice, with teaching focused on; completing the Level 5 Practice Learning Documentation (including a practice learning agreement), identification of learning to date and placement learning needs, supervision, direct observations as well as, linking theory to practice and the opportunity to develop self-awareness and critical reflection in practice.
As well as preparing apprentices for practice, 70 placement days are attached to this module. Within the placement element, apprentices will work with social work practitioners, people with care and support needs as well as other professionals and will be provided with experiential learning opportunities to develop knowledge, skills and values enabling demonstration of the End of First Placement Professional Capabilities as well as an ability to work within Social Work England’s Professional Standards for Social Work.
Within a designated placement setting, the apprentice will take responsibility for their own conduct, practice and learning as well as demonstrating professional development by developing skills of relationship building and undertaking different forms of assessment and interventions in collaboration with people with care and support needs.
The module will assist apprentices to develop appreciation of critical reflection on their own professional journey and viewing this as a key skill for becoming an effective practitioner able to respond effectively to changing service contexts.

Sensitive topics are publicised within the scheme of work and are made available to apprentices in advance. This enables apprentices to practice self-care and prepare and seek tutorial support prior to the session. Tutors will use personal tutorial time to discuss the appropriateness of making peer disclosures in relevant and safe settings.

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Year three

DA6092 -

Complex Social Work and Safeguarding Practice (40 Credits)

In this module the apprentice will consolidate their preparation for transition to a qualified and registered Social Worker. The module equips social work apprentices to tackle the dynamic and multi-faceted challenges of modern social work practice. This will include the ability to engage in complex social work with children and adults including safeguarding, information gathering, analysis, decision-making, planning and review. The knowledge of the rights of individuals and how to achieve them on a practical level will be enhanced. The apprentice will be supported by the academic team and work-based mentor, to develop further their knowledge and skills to inform specific safeguarding/complex interventions and allow them to better apply the Social Work value/rights base. The existing ethical practice and decision-making skills of the apprentice will be integrated into the application of social work interventions. The module will address their application of relevant legislative and policy frameworks and facilitate their learning from practice about decision-making frameworks and inter-professional working practice. In addition, this module will consolidate the ability of the apprentice to analyse and evaluate the complex nature of people's lives and how intervening in their lives can be equally complicated, requiring skills and knowledge in many areas. The apprentice will be encouraged to critically examine all aspects of social work practice for its effectiveness, limitations, and achievements. It will also assist them in implementing person-centred and strengths-based practice to enhance their knowledge and professional capability to a level which on successful completion of the programme will enable them to apply for registration with Social Work England (SWE). This comprehensive module with empower apprentices to act as agents of change in a variety of complex and demanding situations.

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DA6093 -

Level 6 Placement (40 Credits)

This module builds on learning from previous years, deepening self-awareness, providing further opportunity for reflection, and strengthening an apprentice’s ability to practice as an apprentice social worker by working collaboratively with people who use care and support services and other professionals. In line with the requirements of the Practice Capabilities Framework (PCF), the module aims to support demonstration of Professional Capability at the end of Final Placement level (British Association of Social Workers, 2018). The module will provide the opportunity for apprentices to undertake simulation and case study activities focusing on complex social work practice to develop core skills. To prepare apprentices for their final placement, practical classes will focus on assessment and risk assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation within the legal and policy framework. The learning outcomes set out below reflect the broad range of knowledge, skills, and values to enable demonstration of the end of final Placement PCFs to enable apprentices to apply for registration with Social Work England. The teaching will concentrate on developing core skills for professional social work practice within a range of settings.
During the Recall Days apprentices will be supported to reflect critically on their experiential learning, application of theories and practice-based skills. There will be an opportunity to make links between theory and practice in the placement setting, taking one of the programme themes into consideration, for example international or ecological social work.

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DA6094 -

Research in Practice (40 Credits)

This module offers an invigorating avenue to delve into a specific area of interest of the apprentices within contemporary social work practice. It is designed to cultivate the capacity of apprentices to not only identify, understand, and describe knowledge but also to critically analyse, synthesise, and innovate within their chosen area of focus. Emphasising alignment with the Social England Professional Standards ensures that the exploration remains rooted in the current landscape of social work practice. Central to the learning and teaching is the cultivation of an understanding of social work research process and a critical understanding of their chosen topic. Through rigorous engagement with pertinent, current, and reputable literature, guided by both a dissertation tutor and a work-based mentor, apprentices will navigate the complexities inherent in their field of interest. This process empowers apprentices to elevate their comprehension beyond surface-level insights, fostering the skills necessary for nuanced analysis and informed decision-making. By the culmination of this module, apprentices will not only augment their proficiency in integrating high-quality, up-to-date evidence into the practice but also cultivate a mindset conducive to lifelong learning. This transformative journey positions apprentices to not only adapt to the evolving landscape of social work but also to actively contribute to its advancement through the application of robust, evidence-informed practices founded on use of up to date qualitative and quantitative research-based statistical data. Ultimately, this module serves as a catalyst for apprentices’ professional growth, equipping apprentices with the tools including enhanced use of written and oral English and maths proficiency and insights essential for navigating the complexities of contemporary social work practice with confidence and efficacy.

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