The project

With funding from the Degree Apprenticeship Development Fund, The OU worked closely with employers to raise awareness of the benefits of the SWDA among employers and potential applicants – and in particular to identify, inform, attract and support applicants from under-represented groups.

Widening access to social work training

As well as promoting diversity, the resources on this website offer opportunities to address low participation and/or progression rates in higher education institutions (HEI). For example, HESA data shows a considerable regional variation in the number of entrants to HE from low-participation neighbourhoods in England, from 23.2% in the North East to as low as 1.8% in London. HEIs working in collaboration with social work employers has the potential to offer access to opportunities that would not otherwise be evident or available.

Who we are

Mick McCormick - EECP Academic Lead

Helen Casey - Staff Tutor

Dr Sharif Haider - Lecturer

Alison Higgs - Lecturer

Paulette Johnson - Staff Tutor