Social Worker APPRENTICESHIP

This module aims to equip apprentices with the core professional skills and values required for effective, ethical, and inclusive social work practice. Aligned with Social Work England’s Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours (KSB) framework and the Social Work Apprenticeship Standard, the module supports the development of interpersonal communication, critical analysis, and reflective capabilities in preparation for practice placement. Through interactive learning and practical application, you will develop and refine professional interpersonal skills, enhancing both verbal and written communication for effective engagement with service users, colleagues, and stakeholders. This module introduces various skills-based approaches, requiring you to assess their strengths and limitations in practice. A strong emphasis is placed on inclusive and ethical practice, ensuring you understand and apply principles of anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and anti-discriminatory practice.

This module will equip you with a critical and applied understanding of the legal and social policy frameworks that underpin safeguarding practice across both child and adult social care. You will be introduced to the legal and social policy context of social work, including the sources and processes of law-making and how social care policy is developed. The role of case law in shaping how legislation is applied will be examined through real-world examples, helping you to understand how legal decisions influence everyday social work practice. Particular attention will be given to the extent to which law and social policy align with or constrain social work values, human rights, and ethical decision-making. You will also focus on identifying and responding to different forms of harm, including abuse, maltreatment, and neglect. You will consider the processes of safeguarding, protection, risk assessment and risk management, and reflect critically on how these intersect with legal duties and social work ethics. The module also examines current tensions in professional practice—particularly between agencies—regarding the interpretation of thresholds/eligibility criteria for referrals, and how thresholds/eligibility criteria impact decision-making across services.

This module introduces the role of research, theory, and other forms of evidence in shaping professional social work practice. You will develop a critical approach to understanding how knowledge is generated, interpreted, and applied, and how evidence supports informed decision-making in complex environments. You will explore a range of evidence types, including academic research, lived experience, and professional knowledge, and learn how to locate, interpret, and assess their relevance to social work. The module also considers human development across the life course, highlighting how wider social, cultural, and economic factors shape individual experiences and access to support. Throughout the module, you will build confidence in using theory and research to inform and evaluate your practice. The knowledge and skills developed will support your use of evidence-informed approaches during placement and in future professional roles.

In this final module you will have the opportunity to consolidate your learning across the programme and reflect critically on how you apply knowledge, skills, theory, and values in social work. You will explore your professional identity, examine your role within organisational and policy contexts, and evaluate the impact of your interventions with individuals and families. Throughout the module, you will be encouraged to think critically about your practice and use evidence, research, and ethical frameworks to support your decision-making. You will consider current issues in social work to strengthen your understanding of your professional responsibilities in promoting inclusion, justice, and positive outcomes for the people you support. You will also be supported to plan for your ongoing development as you prepare to enter the profession as a qualified social worker. This includes reflecting on your learning journey, identifying strengths and areas for development, and considering your role as a reflective and accountable practitioner, as you move into your Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE).

This module is the practice cornerstone of the PGDip Social Worker Degree Apprenticeship Programme and runs throughout the full duration of your course. It provides the opportunity to complete the 200-days of supervised practice required by Social Work England for qualification as a social worker. You will be supported to apply theory, research, and values to real-world practice, working directly with individuals, families, and communities. Throughout your placements, you will engage in supervision, receive feedback, and reflect critically on your development. The module enables you to build your confidence, skills, and professional judgement in line with the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours. You will record your development through a structured Practice Learning Portfolio, which captures your progress via direct observations, reflective accounts, supervision records, and feedback from practice educators. As part of this module, you will also complete an Assessment of Readiness for Direct Practice (ARDP), including observation, group discussion, and a short reflection in the early weeks of the programme. This ensures you are fully prepared to begin your placement with confidence.