social work diploma online uk

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Social Work courses

Social workers support and protect society's most vulnerable people. If you're looking to work with those in need, from children and the elderly, to individuals or families, our social work and related courses have much to offer.

Social Work Degrees  Degrees Also known as an undergraduate or bachelors degree. Internationally respected, universally understood. An essential requirement for many high-level jobs. Gain a thorough understanding of your subject – and the tools to investigate, think critically, form reasoned arguments, solve problems and communicate effectively in new contexts. Progress to higher level study, such as a postgraduate diploma or masters degree.

• Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
• One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
• You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
• For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.

How long will it take?

Social Work Diplomas  Diplomas Widely recognised qualification. Equivalent to the first two thirds of an honours degree. Enhance your professional and technical skills or extend your knowledge and understanding of a subject. Study for interest or career development. Top up to a full honours degree in just two years.

Social work certificates  certificates widely recognised qualification. equivalent to the first third of an honours degree. study for interest or career development. shows that you can study successfully at university level. count it towards further qualifications such as a diphe or honours degree., why study social work with the open university.

For over 30 years, we've been delivering supported and open distance learning preparing students for the challenging, yet rewarding, experience of becoming social workers. You'll study a curriculum developed by leading academics and professionals actively engaged in the field, so you know our teaching reflects the priorities of today's employers.

The benefits of studying social work with us are:

• The OU is the UK's largest provider of a part-time qualifying degree in social work.
• We work in partnership with employers including the NHS, social services and the voluntary sector.
• Earn while you learn. Our flexible study fits in with your work and home life, so you don’t have to give up the day job. You can also progress at different speeds to suit your needs and those of your employer.
• We have courses suited for all levels and stages of your career. Perfect if you're starting out or changing profession, developing your career in care, or simply seeking to develop your understanding of social care.

Careers in Social Work

Studying for an Open University qualification in social work is ideal preparation for personal development and career progression, whatever your level of experience. We offer a wide range of practice-related courses including single modules for professional development, qualifying and post-qualifying programmes, vocational training, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and research opportunities.

Our range of courses in social work can help you start or progress your career as a:

• Social or Youth Worker
• Probation Officer
• Community Development Worker

Looking for something other than a qualification?

The majority of our modules can be studied by themselves, on a stand-alone basis. If you later choose to work towards a qualification, you may be able to count your study towards it.

See our full list of Social Work related modules

All Social Work related courses

Browse all the Social Work and related courses we offer – certificates, diplomas and degrees.

See our full list of Social Work related courses

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53 Universities offering Social Work Online/Distance Courses in the UK

More Information

Are you looking for Social Work courses? Here you can find course providers offering full-time, part-time, online or distance learning options. Choose the right institution in the UK for you or alternatively, try using our course matcher tool to identify the best institution for your study criteria.

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Oxford Brookes University

THE World Ranking: 601

University of Liverpool

THE World Ranking: 176

Buckinghamshire New University

Leeds Beckett University

THE World Ranking: 801

University of Dundee

THE World Ranking: 201

Coventry University

University of Bradford

THE World Ranking: 501

University of Bath

THE World Ranking: 251

The University of Hull

Sheffield Hallam University

Queen Mary University of London

THE World Ranking: 124

University of Chester

THE World Ranking: 1201

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9 Diploma Programs in Social Work in United Kingdom 2024

Social work is a career field that focuses on providing help and support to those in need. After completing a program or course, professional social workers may have the education necessary to develop community programs, provide counseling and legal support for families, or advocate for children’s rights during divorce and custody cases.

UK, United Kingdom is more than 300 years old and comprises four constituent nations: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The UK has been a centre of learning for the past 1,000 years and possesses many ancient and distinguished universities. Foreign students make up a significant proportion of the student body at UK universities.

A diploma is awarded to a student for the successful completion of a course of study. Diplomas are offered at the secondary, undergraduate, and graduate levels. Individuals looking to supplement their careers or education can enroll in a diploma program. Diplomas can enhance a student’s skill set and qualifications by preparing them for a particular career. These programs usually take only a short time to complete.

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Diploma of Higher Education in Counselling

Open university.

• Online United Kingdom

Full time, Part time

• Distance Learning

The value of counselling to improve wellbeing and quality of life is increasingly recognised. From everyday worries to serious mental health issues like chronic anxiety and depression, counsellors and psychotherapists are helping us cope. This diploma, developed in partnership with the Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB), will prepare you to become a professional counsellor – equipping you with the theoretical understanding and practical skills required to work in this field.

Compare this program

Save this program

ABC Diploma Therapeutic Counselling (Level 4)

Grantham college.

• Grantham, United Kingdom

Overview This is a two year course and is designed for those who are seeking to become professional qualified counsellors. The course will further develop counselling skills and interventions working with the Person-centered model and will be drawing from other Humanistic approaches and comparative theories ( Psychodynamic and CBT).

BTEC LEVEL 2 DIPLOMA IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

Bishop burton college.

This qualification provides an excellent platform for you to launch a career in the caring professions.

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Health & Social Care

Callywith college.

• Truro, United Kingdom

This course will provide you with a broad scientific base and an opportunity to study health care issues.

CPCAB (Counselling & Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body)Therapeutic Counselling Diploma Level 4

Barking & dagenham college.

• Dagenham, United Kingdom

Train to become a Counsellor by achieving our advanced CPCAB counseling qualification. Learn how to advise and support people experiencing emotional difficulties or challenges.

Diploma In Therapeutic Counselling

Lewisham college.

• London, United Kingdom

The Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (Level 4) Programme is designed to lead to an employed or voluntary role in a counseling agency in both health care and non-medical settings. Learners with sufficient experience can also begin working as independent practitioners in private practice.

Diploma in Health and Social Care

Online academies.

• Bournemouth, United Kingdom

Our new and exciting Health and Social Care Diploma course has been specifically designed for those students who have an interest in or who work in the health and social care sector.

Level 1 Personal Development & Public Services

Kingston maurward college.

Not sure what direction to take? Do you feel you could do with developing the skills and qualities needed to progress on to employment or other further education courses? Then this could be the course for you!

Level 5 HND Diploma in Public Services

Cambridge regional college.

• Cambridge, United Kingdom

The course was devised in association with various public, private, and voluntary sectors, for example, the Police, Armed Forces, Local Government, Probation, Youth Offending Teams, and the Civil Service. You will study a broad spectrum of issues relating to various public and private services and other sectors.

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10 Diploma Programmes in Social Work in United Kingdom 2024

Social work is a career field that focuses on providing help and support to those in need. After completing a program or course, professional social workers may have the education necessary to develop community programs, provide counseling and legal support for families, or advocate for children’s rights during divorce and custody cases.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom and Britain, is a sovereign state located off the north-western coast of continental Europe.The two most famous (and oldest) universities are Oxford and Cambridge (often referred to as Oxbridge by many Britons) England also has several other world-class institutions, including several in London (notably Imperial College, the London School of Economics, University College London and King's College London, all are part of London University)

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Diploma of Higher Education in Counselling

Open university.

• Online United Kingdom

Full time, Part time

• Distance learning

Compare this program

Save this program

ABC Diploma Therapeutic Counselling (Level 4)

Grantham college.

• Grantham, United Kingdom

Overview This is a two year course and is designed for those who are seeking to become professional qualified counsellors. The course will further develop counselling skills and interventions working with the Person-centered model and will be drawing from other Humanistic approaches and comparative theories ( Psychodynamic and CBT).

BTEC LEVEL 2 DIPLOMA IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

Bishop burton college.

This qualification provides an excellent platform for you to launch a career in the caring professions.

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Health & Social Care

Callywith college.

• Truro, United Kingdom

CPCAB (Counselling & Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body)Therapeutic Counselling Diploma Level 4

Barking & dagenham college.

• Dagenham, United Kingdom

Train to become a Counsellor by achieving our advanced CPCAB counseling qualification. Learn how to advise and support people experiencing emotional difficulties or challenges.

Diploma In Therapeutic Counselling

Lewisham college.

• London, United Kingdom

The Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (Level 4) Programme is designed to lead to an employed or voluntary role in a counseling agency in both health care and non-medical settings. Learners with sufficient experience can also begin working as independent practitioners in private practice.

Diploma in Health and Social Care

Online academies.

• Bournemouth, United Kingdom

Our new and exciting Health and Social Care Diploma course has been specifically designed for those students who have an interest in or who work in the health and social care sector.

Health & Social Care, University 1st and 2nd Year (level 4 and 5)

Kingsgate international college.

Distance learning, On-Campus

The Undergraduate Level 4/5 Health and Social Care course is a 240 credits course designed to fast track students to the final year of an associated Undergraduate degree within the Health and Social care sector, the final year Top-up Degree can be completed at a UK university on campus or via distance learning.

Level 1 Personal Development & Public Services

Kingston maurward college.

Not sure what direction to take? Do you feel you could do with developing the skills and qualities needed to progress on to employment or other further education courses? Then this could be the course for you!

Level 5 HND Diploma in Public Services

Cambridge regional college.

• Cambridge, United Kingdom

The course was devised in association with various public, private, and voluntary sectors, for example, the Police, Armed Forces, Local Government, Probation, Youth Offending Teams, and the Civil Service. You will study a broad spectrum of issues relating to various public and private services and other sectors.

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Social Work Studies Diploma

Embrace the core principles of social work practice from scratch and achieve professionalism in your key roles.

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Learning outcome.

• Get an overview of social work
• Be familiar with the theories of social work and sociology
• Identify the issues which you may face while working in practice context and solve them
• Be able to work with adult more appropriately in social work

Description

Acquire excellent abilities to offer people guidance, support, and resources to assist them in resolving their issues through this exceptional Social Work Studies Diploma course. Learn how to deal with particular clients, like children, the elderly, and families in distress, to help them overcome their issues. 

This course will provide you with a broad understanding of social work. You’ll be acquainted with social work and sociology ideas, and you’ll be able to recognise and address problems that you may encounter in the field. After finishing this course, you will be able to work more effectively with adults in social work. 

Enrol immediately to get yourself prepared for any social work program!

Here at One Education, we put our heart and soul into every single course we design. We make sure that all our courses are designed and developed by industry experts . We aim always to provide value to our learners with quality courses.

Our learners are our top priority, and you as a learner will gain tremendous knowledge and skill on this topic from this Social Work Studies Diploma.

The Certificate of Achievement that you will receive upon completing this Social Work Studies Diploma will help to boost your resume and will help you stand out among your peers in the competitive job market. Our course will help you get employed in the relevant field and advance your career. Enjoy this expertly made course from One Education. Enrol now!

Why People Love And Enrol In The Social Work Studies Diploma From One Education

• 24/7 access to the course for 12 months
• Study at your own pace
• No hidden fees or exam charges
• Full Tutor support on weekdays (Monday – Friday)
• Efficient assessment and instant results

Course design

The course is delivered through our online learning platform, accessible through any internet-connected device. There are no formal deadlines or teaching schedules, meaning you are free to study the course at your own pace.

You are taught through a combination of:

• Audio-visual Presentation
• Online study materials

To simplify the procedure of evaluation for learners, we provide an automated assessment system. Upon completion of an online module, you will immediately be given access to a specifically crafted MCQ test. The results will be evaluated instantly, and the score displayed for your perusal. For each test, the pass mark will be set to 60%. However, if you fail, you can always retake the exam for £3.99.

Certificate of Achievement

Endorsed Certificate of Achievement from the Quality Licence Scheme

After successfully completing the course, learners will be able to order an endorsed certificate as proof of their new achievement. Endorsed certificates can be ordered and get delivered to your home by post for only £109. There is an additional £10 postage charge for international students.

CPD QS Accredited Certification from One Education After successfully completing the MCQ assessment of this course, you will qualify for the CPD QS Accredited Certificate from One Education, as proof of your continued professional development. Certification is available in PDF format, at the cost of £9, or a hard copy can be sent to you via post, at the cost of £15.

Endorsement

This course has been endorsed by the Quality Licence Scheme for its high-quality, non-regulated provision and training programmes. This course is not regulated by Ofqual and is not an accredited qualification. Your training provider will be able to advise you on any further recognition, for example progression routes into further and/or higher education. For further information please visit the Learner FAQs on the Quality Licence Scheme website.

Who is This course for?

This Social Work Studies Diploma is ideal for

• Recent graduates
• Job Seekers
• Anyone interested in this topic
• People already working in this field and want to polish their knowledge and skill.

Requirements

There are no specific prerequisites to enrol in this Social Work Studies Diploma. Anyone and everyone can take this course.

The Social Work Studies Diploma is fully accessible from any internet-enabled smart device. So, you can study from the comfort of your home!

All you need is a passion for learning, literacy, and to be over the age of 16.

Career Path

This Social Work Studies Diploma will help you procure a job in the relevant field and will allow you to advance your career. Many job roles will be available for you to explore after completing this course. This Social Work Studies Diploma also increases your competency to be eligible for promotions at work.

Enrol now to this comprehensive course from One Education and take your career to the next step.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What exactly is an ‘endorsed’ course?

An endorsed course signifies quality content and premium material in a course for the non-regulated market which has been reviewed and approved by an independent quality inspector.

Does this course have any endorsements? Do I get any endorsed certificate after completion of the course? 

This course has been endorsed by the Quality Licence Scheme for its high-quality, non-regulated provision and training programmes. After successfully completing the course & with a 60% passing score in assessment test, you will be able to order an endorsed certificate as proof of your new achievement. 

Do I get any accredited qualifications after completing this course? 

This course is not regulated by Ofqual and is not an accredited qualification. One Education will be able to advise you on any further recognition, for example, progression routes into further and/or higher education. 

Do your certificates expire? 

No, our certificates do not come with any expiration date.

Do I need to pay for the certification? 

Yes, certification is available in PDF format, at the cost of £9, or a hard copy can be sent to you via post, at the cost of £15.

Do I need to pay for the exams? 

No, there are no extra fees and hidden costs for the exam. 

How to order a QLS certificate? 

Endorsed certificates can be ordered and get delivered to your home by post for only £109. There is an additional £10 postage charge for international students

What is the method of teaching? 

The course is fully online. You can study this course at your own pace. You will be taught through a combination of 

How can I further assess my learning and  get full tutor support?  

Full tutor support is available only on weekdays ( Monday – Friday). You are advised to complete the assignment questions provided at the end of the course, our expert tutor will assess your assignment and will give you feedback on your performance.

How can I gift this course to my beloved one? 

In just 3 steps you can gift any course to your beloved ones. The steps are : 

• Select gift these course button 
• Enter your email, your recipient email and your desired message 
• Select send as gift button 
• Proceed to checkout and pay for the course 

And done! The course will be sent to your desired recipient. 

Can I purchase this course in bulk?

Yes, you can. To purchase courses in bulk, add the desired number of courses in the cart and then proceed to the payment option. We also have  special discounts for Business Customers . 

How long can I access this course ? 

All of our courses can be accessed for 1 Year. After one year you have to buy this course again if you wish to continue. 

What happens if I fail the exam?

if you fail, you can always retake the exam for £3.99 — as many times as you want.

Does this course include UK laws in Social Work, e.g. safeguarding and fostering?

Yes, included.

Does this course covers Care Plans and Social Care Law in the UK?

No, not covered.

Will I progress to register as a Social Worker upon completing the course?

No, to register with Social Work England, you need to complete an approved degree or postgraduate programme in social work .

Course Curriculum

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Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Work)

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This Course at a Glance

• The first step to becoming a Social Worker
• Start a career that helps other people
• Completion possible within a year
• Study a degree without A Levels
• Affordable payment options
• Learn at home

About your Diploma

If you’re looking for a rewarding career, becoming a Social Worker is probably one of the best ways you can help other people. By working in this role, you are directly involved in supporting at-risk individuals in your community.

This can no doubt be challenging, but with your help, people can be removed from harmful situations and be put on a care plan that is tailored to their specific needs. The sole focus of this line of work is support, so as a Social Worker, your main goal is to improve the lives of those who need it.

Unlock Degree Level Learning

If a job in social work sounds like something you would find fulfilling, an Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Work) is the perfect place to get started. Being solely focused on this career path, the knowledge you gain from this online Social Worker course is equivalent to three A Levels, which is what is traditionally required to study a social work degree.

As a Social Worker, the support you provide can take many forms and is largely dictated by the individual’s needs and the areas of their lives that they want to support. Throughout your Access to Higher Education Diploma, you will come to understand the many reasons people need external support, as well as the red flags that can indicate someone is at-risk.

What You Will Learn

During your studies, you will learn about everything from the:

• Role of the Social Worker
• Moral dilemmas and social work practice
• Historical development of social work

All of this and more will give you an ideal foundation of knowledge that you can build on with further study at the higher level. For more information on what you’ll explore in the course, see the ‘Modules’ tab.

Another highly desirable aspect of this online social work course, besides the detailed education it provides, is that it can be studied from home. Allowing you to work toward the next stage of your education on your terms.

Getting Started

learndirect is a leading UK distance learning provider. This Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Work) is a Level 3 nationally recognised qualification regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).

Learn When it Suits You

Studied completely online, the flexibility of this course enables you to work towards your future career outside of your current commitments. So, no matter if it’s a full-time job or childcare, you can complete your course around them.

Stay On Target for Success

An Individual Learning Plan will be issued, containing submission deadlines for your assignments to help keep you on track. You will have up to two years to complete your Access to Higher Education Diploma. Though, the freedom to move through the course at your pace sees most of our students complete them within 9 months.

*Please note, entry requirements differ between universities. It’s always best to check with your chosen institution that your qualification will be accepted before enrolling on a course.

Unit 1: Writing and Studying Academic Texts

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to write academically and with relevance
• Be able to interpret and express ideas in a piece of academic work
• Be able to analyse and summarise text, and appreciate the problems caused by plagiarism

Unit 2: Planning and Writing an Assignment

• Be able to select and assess appropriate source information in response to a task
• Be able to reference sources used in a recognised style
• Understand different reading strategies
• Be able to take effective notes
• Be able to plan, draft and produce a written assignment

Unit 3: Resilience, Stress and Managing Emotions

• Understand resilience and mental wellbeing including threats and strategies
• Understand the management of emotions and feelings and the impact of stress

Unit 4: Introduction to Psychological Research and Approaches

• Understand scientific research methods in the field of psychology
• Understand different psychological approaches to explaining behaviour
• Understand ethical issues connected with psychological research

Unit 5: Exploring Theories of Crime and Deviancy

• Be able explain of crime and deviance from a range of viewpoints
• Understand the social structural theoretical basis of crime and deviance
• Understand the media’s influence on perceptions of crime or deviance

Unit 6: The Evolution and Structure of the Social Work Sector

• Understand the history and evolution of social work
• Understand social workers role in the current day
• Understand the different structures of social work and social services in a range of sectors
• Understand the intent and values of the modern social work sector

Unit 7: Models, Research and Application of Cognitive Psychology

• Understand contrasting psychological perspectives and research evidence in one area of cognition
• Be able to apply psychological research to real life

Unit 8: Family Structure and Changes

• Understand changes in family
• Understand a range of sociological explanations of the family

Unit 9: Modern Social Policy in Context

• Understand the current issues in social policy today
• Understand how legislation can affect social policy
• Be able to analyse social policy in the context of economics

Unit 10: Morality and Ethical Challenges in Social Work Practice

• Understand the ethical principles of social work practice
• Be able to find solutions to moral challenges arising in social work practice

Unit 11: Concepts of Health and Ill Health

• Understand a range of concepts and models of health
• Understand societal influences on definitions of health and ill health and links to social inequality
• Understand alternative approaches to healthcare

Unit 12: Responding to Predjudice and Discrimination

• Understand theories for prejudice and discrimination
• Understand legal responses  to discrimination and prejudice
• Understand community initiatives in overcoming discrimination and prejudice

Unit 13: Introduction to Abnormality and Psychological Disorders

• Understand the challenge of defining and diagnosing mental illness
• Understand a range of explanations for a chosen psychological disorder
• Understand the treatment of one psychological disorder

Unit 14: Defining, Measuring and Explaining Poverty

• Understand different definitions of poverty
• Understand poverty measurement methods
• Understand the extent of poverty in the UK today
• Understand different sociological explanations of poverty

Unit 15: Social Work Interventions and Assessments

• Understand the impact of planned intervention
• Understand how social work assessments and tools work and relate to theory
• Understand the effectiveness of social work assessments
• Understand different social work interventions

Unit 16: The Nervous System, Brain and Cells

• Understand the structure and function of nervous system including key areas of the brain
• Understand the structure and function of glial cells and neurons

Unit 17: Social Care Provisions

• Understand the adult and child social work provisions in the UK
• Understand the contributions of the voluntary and private sector in the provision of care
• Understand the differing welfare needs of groups of people

Unit 18: Biological and Psychological Approaches to Stress

• Understand potential physiological and psychological stress responses
• Understand research into the  link between stress and illness
• Understand an example of psychological and biological stress reduction strategies

Unit 19: Promotion of Equal Opportunities, Inclusiveness and Diversity

• Understand legislation pertaining to equal opportunities
• Understand the promotion of equality of opportunity, inclusiveness and diversity in practice
• Requirements

Entry Requirements

You must hold Level 2 qualifications in both English and Maths, or be working towards them alongside studying your Access to Higher Education Diploma. You also need to have a UK address to enrol.

University Entry Criteria

It must be reiterated that each university will set its own admission criteria. So, you must check with your desired institution if your Access to HE Diploma and other qualifications will be accepted. In many cases, to get started at university you will need: - A certain number of credits passed with a merit or a distinction grade - A face-to-face interview at the university - Literacy and numeracy assessments provided by the university - Course-related work placements or work experience - GCSE Grade C/4 or above in Maths and English (or equivalent Level 2 such as Functional Skills/Key Skills, etc.) It is your responsibility to check that your Access to HE Diploma will be accepted as part of these entry requirements for your chosen degree. learndirect will not be held accountable if completing this Access to Higher Education Diploma doesn’t secure you a position with a higher education institution.

Minimum age restriction

Access to HE Diplomas are designed to support students to progress to university who have substantial experience of life outside of formal education which they have gained since completing compulsory schooling.

Average completion timeframe

The average time it takes our learners to complete the course is 9-12 months.

Assessment requirements

A range of assessment methodologies are used, including: academic report, essay, case study analysis, academic poster, journal article, experiment, portfolio, academic poster, presentation (video and audio recording), academic writing skills tasks

Exams required

There are no exams included in the assessment of the course.

Is Membership Required?

No membership is required to enrol on this course.

Additional requirements

Learners must be actively studying for a minimum of six months before results can be ratified and certificates ordered. The six month period does not start until you have passed unit 2 of your course and you must be submitting assignments regularly (in line with the deadlines in your Individual Learning Plan) to meet this six month requirement. Certificates can only be issued once your course is paid for in full.

Certification Timeframe

You can expect to receive your certificate 12-16 weeks from your final assignment being marked and graded, depending on the time of year. You will be provided with regular updates throughout the certification process so that you are fully informed of your individual timeframes.

Course Fees

All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans including our Premium Credit Limited option, must be settled before certification can be ordered.

*You will have access to the course for 24 months.

A range of units make up this qualification, with an assignment at the end of each. You will submit your work to your tutor for marking and tailored feedback.

You must acquire 60 credits in total in order to achieve the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Work), which are broken down into two categories:

• Graded - 45 credits will be taken from graded units which focus on the academic subject areas included in the course
• Ungraded - The remaining 15 credits come from ungraded units included to help you to improve your academic writing and study skills

As part of your programme, you will also receive help as well as guidance on your university application and the research you need to do to get the most out of your diploma.

Qualifications

Skills & education group access.

On successful completion of the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Work), (QAA ref = 40014381), you will receive a Skills & Education Group Access, QAA recognised, Access to Higher Education Diploma at Level 3. As part of your programme, you will also receive help as well as guidance on your university application and the research you need to do to get the most out of your diploma.

An access validating agency with a strong social purpose to recognise achievement, particularly for those who have benefited least from their previous educational experiences, Skills and Education Group Access supports the needs of learners, providers, businesses and communities by enabling progression into higher education.

Developing Your Career

The careers an Access to Higher Education Diploma  (Social Work) and a subsequent social work degree can lead to are incredibly broad. Social work in itself takes numerous forms and, depending on your interests and abilities, you could focus your efforts on supporting children, people with disabilities, the elderly, individuals with mental health issues or people suffering from drug and alcohol misuse.

What You Could Specialise In

Social Workers cover a large range of sectors in society, including:

• Youth and community work
• Mental health care
• Palliative care
• Elderly care provision
• Young offenders
• Education services
• Working with people with disabilities
• Drug and alcohol misusers

As such, the type of role you can work in will vary depending on your specific focus. During your training to become a Social Worker you will get the opportunity to work with several different at-risk groups. This will help you get an understanding of what it takes to be a Social Worker in each of these fields. From there you can position your new career to work in that area of social services.

The Social Work Jobs on Offer

Upon graduating, you could become a:

• Mental Health Social Worker
• Child Social Worker
• Hospital Social Worker
• School Social Worker
• Homelessness Officer
• Daycare Social Worker

Further Qualifications and Prospects

As such a diverse area of work, there are many ways you can progress your career. You could study a specific area of social work to transition into another avenue of support. Or you could become a specialist in your field and take on more organisational responsibilities in terms of running practices.

You could also study courses in leadership and management that would help you progress to a management position or become a Senior Social Worker, where you would supervise a larger network of social care in the local community. With experience, you could progress to director level.

Postgraduate Study

If you’re happy to go back to university to get postgraduate qualifications, you could advance your career by taking higher level social care qualifications. With these, you can transition to becoming an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) or a Best Interests Assessor (BIA).

Alternatively, you could study the ProfDE that is delivered by the British Association of Social Workers, after which you could progress to:&

• Social work management
• Become a Senior Practitioner
• Teaching and lecturing
• Specialise in a social sector
• Become a Social Work Director
• Run an NHS Trust

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this course qualify me as a social worker, will this online social work course get me into university, i don’t have gcses, can i enrol, can i get support with my university application, how long does this online social work course take to complete.

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