Information for potential Apprentices: Are you interested in becoming a social worker through the apprenticeship route?

How can I become a social worker?
What qualifications do I need to become a social worker?
How long does it take to become a social worker?
What is a degree apprenticeship and how is it different from a ‘normal’ degree?
Where can I find information about the Social Worker Degree Apprenticeship (SWDA)?
How long will it take to complete an SWDA?
Does an Apprentice have day release for study time?
How much would I get paid as an apprentice?
Do social worker apprentices still need a practice educator?
I’m disabled and I want to study – what support is available to me?
I have a criminal record; will I be able to become a social worker?
I have a mental health illness; will this affect my ability to become a social worker?

Employers: Are you an employer interested in supporting Apprentices?

What is the apprenticeship levy?
As an employer, how best can I support an Apprentice with a disability?
​What are the main benefits for employers?

How can I become a social worker?

In order to become a qualified social worker, you need to complete a social work degree programme.  This can be in the form of a full-time degree, a part-time degree, or a degree apprenticeship. There are also routes to becoming a qualified social worker through completing postgraduate study if you already have a first degree. All social workers are registered with a regulator in their respective UK nation. 

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What qualifications do I need to become a social worker?

To get onto an undergraduate social work degree in England, you'll typically need five GCSEs including English and maths and at least two A levels with a minimum of 112 UCAS points, or equivalent qualification such as the NVQ level 3 in health and social care. You will need to check with the institution and the organisation you apply to.
The Open University Social Worker Degree Apprenticeship programme does not require the UCAS points and instead, undertake an assessment of a candidates potential to study at Higher Education level. 

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How long does it take to become a social worker?

The length of time it takes to become a social worker depends on how you decide to undertake your studies.  You may choose to study full time, part time, or you may choose the apprenticeship route. Typically, an undergraduate degree apprenticeship is achieved over a three-year period.

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What qualifications do I need to become a social worker?

To get onto an undergraduate social work degree in England, you'll typically need five GCSEs including English and maths and at least two A levels with a minimum of 112 UCAS points, or equivalent qualification such as the NVQ level 3 in health and social care. You will need to check with the institution and the organisation you apply to.
The Open University Social Worker Degree Apprenticeship programme does not require the UCAS points and instead, undertake an assessment of a candidates potential to study at Higher Education level. 

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What is a degree apprenticeship and how is it different from a ‘normal’ degree?

A degree achieved through an apprenticeship route is at the same academic level as any other degree.  It can only be awarded by an approved higher education provider, who must be able to evidence the same academic standards and quality assurance as for other degree routes.
As well as meeting the learning outcomes associated with their degree, an apprentice must also evidence knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSB) associated with their chosen profession. 
Each Standard has an associated Assessment Plan.  To complete a degree apprenticeship, BOTH the associated degree AND an apprenticeship End Point Assessment (EPA) must be successfully completed.
Apprentices must have a contract of employment which lasts for the full duration of the apprenticeship, within which 20% of their time is allocated for ‘off-the-job’ training. Off-the-job training is defined as “training received by the apprentice, during the apprentice’s normal working hours, for the purpose of achieving their apprenticeship. It …must be directly relevant to the apprenticeship framework or standard... It can include training that is delivered at the apprentice’s normal place of work and can include… the teaching of theory (for example, lectures, role-playing, simulation exercises, online learning, and manufacturer training); practical training, shadowing, mentoring, industry visits… learning support and time spent writing assessments/assignments

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Where can I find information about the Social Worker Degree Apprenticeship (SWDA)?

The Standard for the Social Worker Degree Apprenticeship can be found on the Institute for Apprenticeships website

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How long will it take to complete an SWDA?

The apprenticeship standard specifies that the programme should ‘normally’ be completed within 36 months – in practice, this means between 30 and 42 months.

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Does an Apprentice have day release for study time?

The split between work-based learning and time spent ‘on-programme’ is 80:20 but this can be delivered flexibly across the apprenticeship (that is to say, it need not be a strict ‘day release’/one-day-per-week arrangement). It is important to know that the SWDA will be a very demanding course and may require you to use your own time to complete your studies in addition to the study time your employer gives you. 

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How much would I get paid as an apprentice?

There is a statutory minimum wage for apprentices. This is set at a low rate and unlikely to be appropriate for apprentice social workers.  However, as long as it meets at least the minimum rate, employers can choose the salary level.

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Do social worker apprentices still need a practice educator?

Yes.  Apprentices are not eligible for funding through the Education Support Grant (or ‘daily placement rate’: the mechanism through which the government contributes towards students’ practice learning costs).  

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I’m disabled and I want to study – what support is available to me?

There are a number of organisations that support students with different disabilities. Each institution will provide you with information about how you make an application for any support. You may also be eligible for the Disabled Students Allowance. Please refer to our Supporting your studies section.

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I have a criminal record; will I be able to become a social worker?

There are guidelines set out by Social Work England in relation to previous criminal convictions and becoming a social worker. For help and advice please click on the following link: Safe and Effective Practice

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I have a mental health illness; will this affect my ability to become a social worker?

There are guidelines set out by Social Work England in relation to health conditions and becoming a social worker. For help and advice please click on the following link: Health Concerns

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What is the apprenticeship levy?

The Apprenticeship Levy has been effective since April 2017, applicable to UK businesses with a payroll of £3 million and above.  The levy amount is 0.5% of the payroll and is automatically deducted. 

Apprenticeship funding: how it works 

Employers in England can draw down from their levy ‘pot’ for apprenticeship training and assessment, up to the funding band maximum for that apprenticeship.  If the costs of training and assessment go over the funding band maximum, employers will need to pay the difference. See https://www.gov.uk/education/apprenticeships-funding.  
The levy cannot be used to pay for other costs associated with apprenticeships, including salaries or travel costs. 

More information on Apprenticeship funding

Different funding rules apply for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Share funds with another employer

If you are in a group of companies paying the levy together, your group can already set up a single shared apprenticeship account and pool your funds. Read more about how to register connected organisations.

What if my organisation doesn’t pay into the levy? 

The government has introduced a new ‘co-investment’ rate to support employers who don’t pay the levy (‘co-investment’ is when employers and government share the cost of training and assessing apprentices)

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As an employer, how best can I support an Apprentice with a disability? 

Access to Apprenticeships | Business at The Open University

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What are the main benefits for employers?

Funding – you can access levy funding for the training costs.
Employer-led recruitment (subject to meeting entry criteria specified by the training provider), which can reflect the organisation’s immediate and longer-term workforce strategies.
Employers can reach a wider audience of applicant and can provide opportunities for training that wouldn’t otherwise be available to different groups of people. 
An additional benefit offered by the OU route is flexibility – much of the learning is delivered through the online materials so you can arrange for your apprentices to be out of the office at different times, rather than all simultaneously attending day release or face-to-face study weeks, etc.
See the latest apprenticeship funding rules and guidance employers

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