Becoming a Social Worker
If you are interested in training to become a social worker, you can access advice on the social work careers website.

Although you can work in the social care sector without a professional qualification leading to registration as a 'social worker' is required and is at degree level with a minimum entry requirement of the equivalent of GCSE grade C in English and Mathematics. Some Universities will have additional entry requirements. All social work courses require that you spend a minimum of 200 days in a practice learning environment over the period of the course.

It is possible to study for a degree in social work through the following types of course:
Employment based: this means that you will be in employment during your studies (either sponsored by a current employer or employed on a specific traineeship).
College based: this means you apply for training as a individual and are not employed during the course. Your practice learning opportunities will be organised via your college or University.
Distance / Open Learning: Distance learning means that a significant amount of your learning will be at home through teaching materials which may be in a combination of formats such as written, audio, video and CD Roms. Open Learning means that there are few or no entry restrictions.
Part Time / Full time: A degree in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is made up of 360 academic credits, usually studies over three years, so 120 credits a year. If you study less than 120 academic credits a year, you course is probably part time.

The Open University intends to offer an open, employment based degree in social work using distance learning supplemented by face to face workshops. The degree will include the following courses:

This course outline is based upon the social work degree in England and Wales. Please note that there are variations in Scotland.

Level 1
K113: Foundations in Social Work Practice
K100: Understanding Health and Social Care

Level 2
K216: Applied Social Work Practice
K269: Social Work and the Law (England and Wales)
And one of the following options: K222: Care, welfare and community for social workers, K224: Social work with children and families, K257: Mental health and distress, K260: Death and dying

Level 3
K315: Critical Social Work Practice
K302: Critical Practice in health and social care or
K303: Managing Care

For more information visit the Open University social work degree website.

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