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How to implement the Social Work Degree Programme (England) in your Agency

2013/14

Opening Doors

The Open University is incorporated by Royal Charter (RC 000391), an exempt charity in England and Wales and a charity registered in Scotland (SC 038302).

Contact points for advice and registration

Please visit our website:

www.open.ac.uk/hscor phone our social work enquiry line on:

01908 654229Our lines are open: Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00

Email: [email protected]

Faculty of Health & Social CareThe Open UniversityWalton HallMilton KeynesMK7 6AAUnited Kingdom SUP 039070

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Opening Doors 2011/2012


Contents

Page

E Use of computing on the degree 14Requirements of the curriculumAgency access to the degree website

F Preparation for practice 17

The 20-day requirement

The verifier

G Organising practice learning in the agency 19

Preparing for practice learning

Practice learning opportunity quality standards

Practice funding

Health and safety issues for students in practice learning opportunities

H Issues or problems arising after the 26 programme start

Help from the OU

Notifying the OU when things go wrong or change

Appendix 1: Draft Collaboration Agreement 27

Useful contacts 39

Enclosures: • Application form • Checklist of documents required from each

candidate

Page

Checklist of tasks 2

A Introduction 3

B Main roles and responsibilities 4Open UniversitySponsoring agencies

C Administration 5Summary of OU registration processYour provisional bookingSelection of candidatesFormal registrationProblems post-registrationThe Collaboration Agreement and sponsorshipGetting ready for the module startPaying the feesEntry with creditPractice learning funding

D Selection and preparation of staff 9Entry requirementsThe selection processApplication processCompleting the checklistSubmitting the documentationRegistration of students on the Social Care RegisterPreparation of staff for study on the degree

Further information

If you require further advice or guidance on implementing the programme, please contact:

Social Work Admissions Manager Tel: 01908 654229 Faculty of Health & Social Care Email: [email protected] The Open University Milton Keynes MK7 6AA



A. Within your agency

l Make preparations in your agency; gain agreement from senior managers; sort out finance; determine selection procedures and submit details of your procedures to the OU if sponsoring and selecting candidates for 2013/14.

l Notify potential applicants of application procedure, explain the entry requirements and ensure candidates provide you with the documents required.

l Carry out selection of students (or advise candidates to send application form directly to the OU).

l Obtain new Enhanced Disclosures for successful candidates if required. Make arrangements for Medical Fitness to Practice forms to be signed (or request OU Medical form).

l Discuss with students and managers which module(s) students will study in the first year.

Appoint and brief Agency Co-ordinator to be responsible for:

l day-to-day contact with the OU

l appointing a verifier (Yr 1)

l finding suitable practice learning opportunities (Yrs 2, 3)

l appointing and briefing a practice educator (Yrs 2, 3).

l Ensure each student and his/her manager understands the practice arrangements and student’s entitlement to study leave. Agree financial arrangements with student, if student is expected to contribute or pay their own module fees.

B. OU administration

l Register your students (see Summary of Registration Process on p.5).

l Sign Collaboration Agreement (sent to you after registration) and return to the Head of Operations, Social Work at Milton Keynes.

l Pay fees annually* (invoice to be sent to you by OU Finance Department at the module start)

Checklist of tasks

* Students paying their own module fees should have their finance in place when they register on their chosen modules.

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IntroductionThis booklet aims to give you guidance on implementing the Social Work degree Programme in your agency. It is designed to build on information contained in the information booklet about the BA(Hons) in Social Work (England). It starts with a reminder of the respective roles and responsibilities of sponsoring agencies and The Open University, followed by sections on:

l Administration

l Selection and preparation of staff for the Social Work Degree

l Use of computing on the degree

l Preparation for Practice

l Organising Practice Learning in the Agency

Finally there is advice on what to do if you encounter problems after the programme has begun, together with a draft copy of the Collaboration Agreement which each sponsoring agency is required to sign.

Changes in social work educationThe recommendations of the Social Work Reform Board (SWRB) for changes to the social work profession are being implemented by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) across the sector. This year there are changes to both the entry requirements and to the selection process. Detailed information is in Section D of this booklet. The changes relevant to social work education also affect the curriculum, practice learning and standards for Practice Educators.

The College of Social Work has produced guidance for implementing these developments. Details can be found on The College’s website: www.collegeofsocialwork.org. Click on ‘Educators’ under the ‘Professional development’ tag.

Please note that agencies which are approved to select their own students for our programme need to reapply for approval before completing their recruitment process for 2013-14. Details of how to do this are on our website: www.openuniversity.co.uk/socialworkweb

Stag

e 1

Study pattern

Students starting the Programme at Stage 1 and who wish to complete their studies in three years must register for Introduction to health and social care (K101) in October 2013. For these students the study pattern would be:

October 2013 An introduction to health and social care (K101)

February 2014 Foundations for social work practice (K113)

Stag

e 2 October 2014

The law and social work in England and Wales (K270)

February 2015 Applied social work practice (K216)

Stag

e 3

October 2015 Leadership and management in health and social care (K313)

or Adulthood, ageing and the life course (K319)

or Working together for children (KE312)

February 2016 Critical social work practice (K315)



B Main roles and responsibilities

The Programme is work-based and is offered in collaboration with employing agencies. It combines work-based and supported open learning. The respective roles and responsibilities of the OU and sponsoring agencies are as follows:

Open University

It will be the responsibility of The Open University to:

l ensure that all social work students are appropriately selected for training

l provide multi-media study materials for students, and support materials for tutors (Associate Lecturers), practice educators and workplace supervisors

l provide module tutors to teach, support and assess students through tutorials, assignments and personal contact

l provide a personal tutor to monitor students’ progress, to monitor practice learning arrangements and liaise with agencies (the Programme tutor)

l provide a Staff Tutor (based in each OU region) who will recommend tutors for appointment, and oversee their work

l organise and administer all the assessment and award procedures.

Sponsoring agencies

It will be the responsibility of agencies using the Programme to:

l work with the OU to select members of staff suitable for training through work-based and supported open learning

l support students by giving the recommended study leave each week throughout the Programme as well as full-time release for the duration of the external practice learning period(s) and release to attend practice learning workshops. (Students who are undertaking 120 credits’ worth of study in a year will require 36 study days each year [pro rata for part-time staff]. Students studying a 60 credit module will require 18 days.)

l provide appropriate practice learning opportunities and ensure they meet the OU requirements which reflect HCPC and College of Social Work guidance

l identify a member of staff to make the practice learning arrangements and liaise with the Programme (the agency co-ordinator)

l appoint a verifier (to verify 10 days of preparation for practice)

l appoint practice educators (and, where the practice educator is not in the same workplace as the student, a workplace supervisor) for each of the two periods of assessed practice learning.

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C Administration

Summary of Open University registration processOU

* SW Admissions Manager sends Opening Doors. All the registration forms can be downloaded from our website at www.openuniversity.co.uk/socialwork Please email [email protected] if you would like us to post or email the forms to you.

OU to approve agency selection procedures if sponsor wishes to carry out interviews.

* OU Registration Team sends: Registration Pack (incl. Sponsorship Form and Student Registration Agreements) to agencies paying their students’ fees

Selection by OU panel (being held at a number of Regional Centres). Dates: July to December.

Candidates are expected to bring the outstanding documents in the checklist to their selection day.

SW Admissions Manager checks documents and arranges for students to be registered.

Last date for registration: Early Sept (for Oct start); mid-Dec (for Jan/Feb start).

Agency

Agency completes Provisional Booking Form.

Decides whether to select candidates or ask OU to select.

Completes Agency Information Form if sponsoring for first time.

Latest dates for submission: 15 July 2013 (for Oct start); 27 September 2013 (for Jan/Feb start).

Advises candidates of application process. Candidates to complete OU Application Form and collect documents noted on the Checklist. Forms to be forwarded to agency contact if agency conducting its own selection process.

Candidates to complete and return OU Application Form, Self Declaration and Selection Day Choice Forms if attending a university selection day.

Selection by agency. OR

Once candidate is selected, s/he should be asked to complete OU registration Agreement. Agency to sign one Sponsorship Form for whole group. If candidates are responsible for their own fees they will be sent separate registration details once the selection process is complete and their place on the programme confirmed.

Sends copy of Application Form, Checklist and documents requested (if not already submitted) to SW Admissions Manager, together with Registration forms.

Latest date for submission: 2 August 2013 (for Oct start); 22 November 2013 (for Jan/Feb start).



Your provisional booking

The Provisional Booking Form which you have already completed will ensure the required number of student places is reserved for you. However, this does not constitute a firm commitment until formal registration takes place in the summer or early autumn.

If you wish to increase the number of students or withdraw at any time before formal registration, please let the Social Work Admissions Manager know (see p.1).

Selection of candidates

Please see Section D on p.9.

Formal registration

Formal registration of all Social Work students is handled by the Student Registration & Enquiry Service. If you have any queries about registration, you should contact:

The Partnership Team Student Registration & Enquiry Service The Open University PO Box 197 Milton Keynes MK7 6BJ Tel: 0845 300 8851 Email: [email protected] Fax: 01908 654914

Agencies who wish to pay the tuition fees for their students will be sent a registration pack consisting of:

l Letter to the agency co-ordinator

l Registration Agreement to be completed by each student

l Sponsorship Agreement Form, to be completed by the Agency (one per group reservation)

l Notes of guidance on completion of the above forms

l HESA data collection form to be completed by each student.

As agency co-ordinator, you are asked to copy and distribute the Registration Agreement and HESA data collection form to students. They should complete and return both forms to you. You should return the individual Registration Agreements, HESA data collection forms plus the completed Sponsorship Agreement when you send the application pack to the Social Work Admissions Manager.

Agencies are invoiced for the tuition fees shortly after each module start.

Students who are paying their own fees will receive their registration packs once they have been accepted onto the programme. The pack consists of:

l Registration Agreement

l HESA data collection form

l Sponsorship Agreement and

l A link to http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/qualification/ways-to-pay/england.htm giving information on all the payment methods available.

Late registrations lead to delays in organising tutor groups, appointing tutors, arranging the despatch of materials and so on. With an anticipated 400 new students, spread across the UK, starting on the programme each year, it is important that the OU staff have adequate time to make the necessary arrangements. To enable us to provide the best possible service to you and your staff, therefore, it is vital that you should register on time.

Please arrange to complete your student selection process by August if you wish students to start K101 An introduction to health and social care in October and register as soon as you can – preferably no later than 2 August for an October start and 22 November if you wish your students to start in February.

If for any reason you cannot register by the date requested, it is important that you negotiate an appropriate time extension with the Social Work Admissions Manager. If you fail to register your staff or arrange an extension by mid-December, we reserve the right to cancel your Provisional Booking.

Problems post-registration

Conduct issues If a student commits a criminal offence, or receives a police caution, or is suspended from work, or is the subject of a disciplinary hearing whilst on the programme, it is the responsibility of the Agency Co-ordinator and the student to notify the Head of Operations immediately.

Cancellation of a module If a student decides to withdraw after formal registration but before the start date of the module, s/he is advised to contact the Partnership Team on 0845 300 8851 (email: [email protected]) immediately to arrange cancellation. There will be no fee liability if the module has not yet begun.

If it becomes necessary for a student to withdraw after the official start date, then s/he should contact

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the Partnership Team (see above) immediately. It may be possible for the student to be entitled to a discount on the fee of the same or another module on a later presentation or, in exceptional circumstances (such as serious illness or bereavement) to obtain a fee waiver. The amount transferable will depend on whether the student is new to the University and at what stage of the module the cancellation is made, so you should seek advice from the Partnership Team or refer to the Conditions of Registration at www.open.ac.uk/our-student-policies.

Responsibility for cancellation normally rests with the student and cancellation of non-Practice modules must be made by the student him/herself. However, the Partnership Team can accept cancellation of Practice modules only (K113, K216 or K315) from the sponsor, provided the sponsor confirms by letter or email.

The Collaboration Agreement and sponsorship

In order to clarify the contributions made by the OU and sponsoring agencies to the programme offered to students, we ask all agencies to sign a formal Collaboration Agreement. This will be sent to you after registration has taken place; it should be signed and returned as soon as possible. For your information a blank specimen copy of the agreement is included as Appendix 1.

Most students sponsored are either full or part-time employees of the sponsoring agency. However, we are aware of agencies who have sponsored non-employees (e.g. volunteers and employees of other agencies linked to them in some way). As this is an employment-based route, agencies must ensure they only sponsor students who can meet the Programme’s requirements in relation to study days, placement timings etc.

Experience has shown that sponsoring agencies come to a variety of financial arrangements with staff to suit their individual circumstances. Many agencies pay the full costs of the fees and other costs of their staff such as travel expenses. Practice with respect to any requirements following completion of the programme (for example, to stay employed by the agency for a period) varies widely. Other agencies meet their obligations towards ensuring the fees are paid (and providing the necessary study leave and practice learning opportunities), but recoup some or all of the fees from staff. Some expect their staff to take unpaid leave to meet the study leave requirements. We are now also able to accept payment of module fees from

individual students. This should be marked clearly on the Provisional Booking Form. You should notify the Admissions Manager if you change your payment plans after sending in your provisional booking.

The Programme does not make any recommendations about what kind of sponsorship arrangements are made with staff as long as the agency meets the full obligations of the Collaboration Agreement, e.g. the agency ensures that staff undergo a period of 20 days of readiness for practice and are provided with two contrasting practice learning opportunities with a suitable practice educator, and that staff are allowed the recommended study leave each week. Whatever the nature of the arrangements, make sure you and your student have a written agreement.

If you would like further guidance on different approaches to sponsorship, then contact the Social Work Admissions Manager (see p.1).

Getting ready for the module start

January/February start dateBetween October and December, staff in the OU regions will organise tutor groups, appoint tutors and may invite your students to preparation days or introductory meetings – so do register early.

In January:

l students will be sent their first mailing of study materials. Details of their tutors and dates and venues of tutorials and workshops will be available online.

l the K113 mailing will include guidance notes and a form for the Verifier, the person who will confirm the student has satisfactorily completed the days of preparation for practice. Students will be asked to pass this directly to their Verifier. (The K216 and K315 packs will include a Practice Learning Guide for the practice educators, who will also be invited to attend a regional briefing day during the period February – March.)

October start dateAn introduction to health and social care (K101) and the Stage 3 option modules have an October start date. Students starting in October will receive their first mailing of study materials, details of tutorials, etc in September.

Paying the feesAgencies will be invoiced for the fees due each year soon after the module start in October or February.



Invoices will automatically be sent out in time for payment to be made before the end of the financial year.

We are now able to accept payment of module fees from individual students.

Entry with credit

Existing OU creditStudents who have already completed modules currently included in the programme will be able to count them towards the social work degree*. They will also be able to count Foundations for social work practice (KYJ113) in place of K113.

You will be able to count credits from some discontinued modules towards your qualification such as K(ZX)100. Please contact the Admissions Manager to discuss this further.

*If students have already counted a Level 3 module towards another OU Honours degree, they will not be able to count it towards the classification of their Social Work degree as well. If students have already counted K302, K303, K309, KE308 or KE312 towards an OU award, they would be well advised to double-check their situation by emailing the Centre for Qualifications and Ceremonies: [email protected]

Credit transferIf students already hold a qualification at higher education level which substantially covers the social sciences (for example, a degree in sociology or social policy, an HND in a relevant subject or a nursing qualification), they may be able to gain exemption from the first module in the programme, An introduction to health and social care (K101). Only previous study which is approximately five years old or less will be considered.

Exemption from both Level 1 modules, An introduction to health and social care (K101) and Foundations for practice (K113), will only be considered for claimants who have completed relevant parts of the Social Work degree, or other qualification deemed suitable at another University. References will be required.

Application forms can be downloaded from the website www.open.ac.uk/credit-transfer (or you can contact the Credit Transfer Office on 01908 653077). Claims may take several weeks to process so applicants are strongly advised to submit their claim as early as possible.

Students wishing to make a claim for credit transfer must apply before they register on the Social Work Programme.

Practice learning fundingThe Department of Health provides funding for all agencies who are providing a practice learning opportunity. Funding is intended to cover three elements:

l Planning (e.g. discussing with the student how the placement will be structured and what s/he will be expected to do)

l Delivery, i.e. the actual placement delivery by the provider

l Assessment, i.e. assessment of the student while on placement.

If the placement provider is unable to provide one of the elements (e.g. where the Practice Educator is provided by a different agency), it is important that both parties agree rates and payment for the Practice educator at the outset. Since the placement provider is entitled to all of the funding, they should take the lead in negotiations. It is recommended that there is a formal agreement which should be signed and kept by both parties.

Daily placement rateIn 2014 payment rates remain at £18 per placement day for statutory organisations and £28 for organisations which have charitable status, or are non profit-making, or are service user or carer led or have private company status. Evidence of charitable or company status must be provided in order for payments to be made at the higher rate. This is subject to change in 2015.

Please note that the funding arrangements do not cover the readiness for practice days at Level 1.

How to claim fundingA claim form will be sent to you by the OU once we have received confirmation of the practice arrangements as well as confirmation of placement rates. This usually happens around June. Confirmation of the exact number of placement days completed will be required before the money can be paid – usually in August/September. It is important that you complete the paperwork when requested or your payments may be delayed – or lost altogether if you claim outside the appropriate financial year.

The Programme does not cover any travel costs associated with placements. The OU expects sponsoring agencies to reach agreement with students over the payment of travel costs to and within placements. This is an important area to explore when placements are being arranged outside students’ sponsoring agency.

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D Selection and preparation of staff

Entry requirements

The following notes are intended to clarify the selection and admissions processes required prior to students’ registration on the Social Work degree Programme. First, here is a reminder of the entry requirements for joining the programme in either October 2013 or February 2014.

All candidates must:

l Complete an OU application form which will include a personal statement, references and employer’s endorsement

l Complete a declaration of suitability for social work

l Have GCSE grade A*–C in English and mathematics or certified equivalent

l Meet the UCAS threshold of 240 tariff points or equivalent

l Demonstrate IT competence through self-declaration

l Achieve an International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS) score of 7 if English is not their first language

l Undertake a written test

l Take part in an interview

l Have an enhanced DBS with list check (i.e. checks against all registers including both children and vulnerable adults) dated within one year of starting the programme

l Complete a health check. If, in exceptional circumstances, there are serious doubts about a student’s fitness to practice on health grounds, the University’s doctor may ask him/her to undergo a medical examination. This examination will be at the student’s own expense.

Candidates are expected to bring copies of their educational and other certificates, including DBS, to their selection day. Please therefore allow sufficient time in your selection process for candidates to obtain the above documents.

Changes in social work education

The OU selection procedures are being updated to meet the new requirements recommended by the Social Work Reform Board. The updated procedures

will apply from September 2013. The proposals aim to strengthen the calibre of entrants accepted onto social work degree courses. Full details can be found at www.collegeofsocialwork.org Click on ‘Educators’ under the ‘Professional development’ tab.

The selection process

All students are required to go through a selection and interview process which involves employers and service users or carers. Employers can decide whether to:

l carry out their own selection of candidates. (Most large employers are likely to have tried and tested procedures and will carry out their own selection.)

OR

l request that their candidates attend an Open University selection day. (This is likely to be the preferred option for small agencies that are sponsoring staff on a one-off basis and do not have well developed selection procedures.)

Selection by employer

The University has overall responsibility for ensuring that all students meet the entry criteria and are appropriately selected. Employers who choose to carry out their own selection are therefore requested to submit details of their procedures and interview questions for approval. A pro forma is available from the Social Work Admissions Manager (see p.1) on request or can be downloaded from our website.

Selection by the OU

If you wish your candidates to attend an Open University selection day, then you are strongly advised to send in a provisional booking form early, and no later than 15 July 2013 for an October start and 27 September 2013 for a January/February start. Candidates should complete the application form and return it, together with their completed self declaration and selection day request forms and documents requested, to: The Social Work Admissions Manager, see address on page 10.

Interviews will be held at a number of OU Regional Centres. The selection panel will include one or more representatives from the OU and, where possible, a service user.

The final interview sessions for the year will be held in early December so please ensure that candidates submit their applications in good time.



Application process

Each applicant must complete an OU Application Form and provide all the documentation listed on the Checklist. These documents and all other forms can be downloaded from our website. All candidates are asked to gather together the documentation which we require and to present it to you if your agency is conducting your own selection day. You are then asked to confirm that the documents are in good order and to complete a check list for each individual student and send them, together with photocopies of the documents to:

Social Work Admissions Manager Faculty of Health & Social Care The Open University Walton Hall Milton Keynes MK7 6AA

If your candidate is attending an OU selection day the Application Form, Self-Declaration and Selection Day Request Forms should be passed to your candidates and returned to the Admissions Manager. Candidates should bring all the other admission documents to their selection day for checking.

Application pack

Students are expected to provide the following documents or information.

Agency Co-ordinators are asked to confirm that the documents are in order and ensure that copies are sent to the University to complete the registration process.

1 Application form or personal statement

Please enclose a copy of each candidate’s application form which includes a personal statement or an essay which you have asked students to write as part of your selection procedure, references and employer’s endorsement. The purpose of the written statement or essay is to assess students’ ability to write clearly in English as well as their values and qualities as potential social workers. If they are writing a personal statement, students should be advised to address such questions as: Why do you want to undertake a professional qualification in social work? What experience do you have that is relevant to the Social Work qualification? What do you hope to achieve as a social worker in the future?

2 GCSECertificateinMaths,gradesA-C (or equivalent)

It is a standard entry requirement for the Degree in Social Work that students should have Key Skills 2 (Key Stage 4) in Maths. The following qualifications may be considered as meeting the entry requirement:

l GCSE grades A*-C or O level (grades A-C or A-E depending on Exam Board and date of award) or CSE grade 1 in Maths

l GCSE A or A/S level in Maths

l NVQ or SVQ which includes the Key Stage 2/Functional Skills Level 2 maths/numeracy component

l a nationally recognised Access to Higher Education module which includes a numeracy component recognised as equivalent to GCSE at grade C or above

l an Open University module at foundation level or above with a numeracy component (appropriate module codes will be prefixed with an M or T)

l a Higher National Certificate (HNC), Higher National Diploma (HND), National Certificate or National Diploma awarded by EDEXEL or BTEC which incorporates a pass in mathematics at Key Skills 2

l a former Ordinary National Certificate or Ordinary National Diploma (ONC/OND) with a maths/numeracy component at Key Skills 2

l a degree (or part of a degree) in a relevant subject from a UK University

l a full European or International Baccalaureate

l Scottish certificate at standard grade 3

l Irish Intermediate Certificate

If candidates have relevant UK academic qualifications which fall outside of this list, please refer to the Social Work Admissions Manager for guidance (Tel: 01908 654229). Other qualifications may be acceptable, but it is essential for candidates to provide evidence of a certified equivalent numeracy component.

Students who do not have the necessary entry requirements for Maths can:

l Undertake a test in numeracy (Level 2) provided by Learn Direct or local Further Education providers; or

l Obtain Functional Skills Level 2.

Students who hold overseas awards will need to provide a Statement of Comparability with UK qualifications. This can be obtained from: UK NARIC, Oriel House, Oriel Road, Cheltenham, Glos., GL50 1XP. (Or visit www.naric.org.uk). There is a charge for this service.

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3 GCSECertificateinEnglish,gradeA-C (or equivalent)

To meet the standard entry requirement students must have achieved Key Skills 2 (Key Stage 4) in English. The following qualifications may be considered as meeting the requirement:

l GCSE grades A-C or O level (grades A-C or A-E depending on Exam Board and date of award) or CSE grade 1 in English

l GCSE A or A/S level in English

l NVQ or SVQ Level 2 and above, which includes literacy Key Stage 2/Functional Skills

l a nationally recognised Access to Higher Education module

l any Open University module at foundation level or above with a literacy component (appropriate module codes will be prefixed with an A, D or K)

l a Higher National Certificate (HNC), Higher National Diploma (HND), National Certificate or National Diploma awarded by EDEXEL or BTEC which incorporates Key Skills 2 literacy

l a former Ordinary National Certificate or Ordinary National Diploma (ONC/OND) with Key Skills 2 literacy

l a Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE)

l an appropriate degree (or part of a degree) from a UK University

l a full European or International Baccalaureate

l Irish Intermediate Certificate

l Scottish Certificate at standard or higher grade.

Students who do not have the necessary entry requirements for English can undertake a test in literacy (Level 2 or above) provided by Learn Direct or local Further Education providers (free of charge) or obtain Functional Skills Level 2.

Competence in written and spoken English

Successful candidates for whom English is not their first language must submit evidence of IELTS at Level 7.

4 Academic entry requirements

All candidates must have A levels or equivalent qualifications. Candidates with A level qualifications must meet a UCAS threshold of 240 points which is the equivalent of three passes at grade C. Other qualifications may also be awarded UCAS tariff points.

More information can be found at www.ucas.ac.uk A graduate with a UK bachelor’s degree will satisfy this requirement.

Where a candidate does not have A level or equivalent qualifications, or if their qualifications do not meet the UCAS threshold, or if there has been a significant gap since their qualifications were obtained then we will accept the successful completion of the module An introduction to health and social care (K101) as evidence of their academic ability. Where K101 is taken after a candidate’s application is submitted any offer of a place will be conditional until this module has been passed.

Candidates who do not meet the entry requirements for English, Mathematics and the UCAS tariff cannot be registered on the Social Work Programme. They can however register on the Open Degree or Cert HE in Health and Social Care and transfer their OU credits for K101 and K(YJ)113 to the Social Work Programme at a later date if they are successful in the selection process.

If you need further advice, please contact the Social Work Admissions Manager on 01908 654229.

5 Satisfactoryhealth(fitnesstopractice) check

A copy of the statement regarding a health check must be completed. The options are:

Medical check by employer

Local authorities and large organisations which have an Occupational Health Department may have carried out a check on the candidate (for example, when s/he was first employed) and will be aware of any recent medical issues affecting the member of staff’s employment. If you have an Occupational Health Team within your organisation, we strongly recommend that you ask them to sign the fitness to practice Medical Form confirming that the candidate is, as far as they know, free from any serious communicable disease and has no physical or mental health issues likely to compromise their training and work with clients.

Although you can use the private occupational health service explained below, you should be aware that any concerns about a candidate’s fitness to practice will need to be referred back to your own Occupational Health Department or to the candidate’s GP (and there is likely to be a substantial charge for a GP’s report).

It is important to draw the University’s attention to any significant medical issues which have been identified.



Private medical checks

If you are a small company which is unable to undertake its own medical checks, the Programme can provide a medical questionnaire for checking by a private company in Milton Keynes, MK Occupational Health. There will be a charge of £20 per student. Should the questionnaire indicate that further investigation is required, any additional costs (for example, the cost of obtaining a GP’s report) must be borne by the candidate.

6 An Enhanced Disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau

Students should provide a copy of their Disclosure and Barring Service DBS/CRB check. If the DBS/CRB is incomplete or out of date, students should request a new check and, in the meantime, sign the Declaration of Suitability for Social Work, which is attached to the Checklist.

The DBS/CRB must be dated within one year of starting the programme (in October or February). It is essential that you request a full disclosure so that checks are made on all five Registers since students will be working with different client groups whilst undertaking their practice learning. A DBS/CRB which shows, for example, that checks against the childrens or vulnerable adults lists were not requested is not acceptable.

If a candidate’s existing DBS/CRB check was completed more than a year before the start of the first module in the Programme, then a new check must be made. It is essential that sufficient time is allowed for this process which can take up to three months. Until there is evidence of a satisfactory DBS/CRB check, registration on the programme will be conditional and students will not be permitted to progress to Level 2.

When the disclosure is unsatisfactory

If any offences are revealed, the issue will be referred to the Assistant Head of Department (Professional Practice). The candidate will be asked to submit a letter of explanation, together with a supporting letter from the employer. A decision about the applicant’s suitability for training will be taken and the employer informed whether or not the student can proceed to registration.

7 Open University registration documents

If you are paying the students fees, registration documents will be sent to you separately by the Partnership Team after you have made your provisional booking (see p.5). The individual registration form (signed by the student) should be enclosed with the checklist. You need to send just one sponsorship form to cover your whole group.

Please ensure that both the individual registration form and sponsorship form are returned to the Admissions Manager. They must not be returned to any other region/office in The Open University.

8 Interview by employers

If you have carried out your own selection within the agency, please provide a brief report on the interview and your reasons for recommending the candidate for social work training.

Service user involvement

It is a requirement that a service user or carer should be involved in some stage of the selection process. Some agencies have invited a service user to be a member of the interview panel, to help devise the questions to be asked at interview or to take part in the short-listing of candidates, while others have asked a service user to observe and comment on a group-work session. A service user with whom the client has worked can be asked to provide a statement about the candidate.

If you are unable to involve a service user for any reason, we can provide you with a set of interview questions which have been developed in consultation with service users and carers. Please contact the Social Work Admissions Manager to request a copy.

For quality assurance purposes, please confirm that a service user was involved in your selection process and indicate how this was achieved.

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Submitting the documentation

Employer selection

Once you have completed the selection process, completed a Checklist for each student and collected the required documentation, please send it to: The Social Work Admissions Manager for checking. If everything is in order, the documentation will be held on file and successful candidates will then be registered.

Please ensure a completed application form and all supporting documents are sent by the published deadline. Failure to do so could result in delays in registration.

Students will not be permitted to progress to Stage 2 until all their paperwork is complete, so please ensure you check that all the documents requested are submitted. You will find a reminder of the items required on the Checklist.

Open University selection

If you have requested that the OU carry out the selection, please gather together the Application, Self Declaration and Selection Day Request forms and submit these to the Social Work Admissions Manager. The candidate will be notified of the date and venue of their selection day.

Preparation of staff for study on the degreeAssuming that staff have been selected as suitable to become professional social workers, and you are confident that they have the skills required to begin study at higher education level, there is no particular need for any detailed preparation for the academic aspects of the programme (although students with limited ICT skills could usefully spend some time between selection and the module start on the development of basic skills – see p.16). The Programme has been designed to introduce students to practice-based learning and to academic study (including work on study skills) as an integral part of the programme. However, some agencies like to give their staff an opportunity to get a taste of study at this level, and to familiarise them with the style of distance learning, and perhaps to re-awaken dormant study skills.

For help with study skills, we recommend the use of The Good Study Guide (A.Northedge, 2nd edition) which is available from good bookshops price £12.99. If you have difficulty in obtaining this book, you can order it from Customer Services at the Open University (www.ouw.co.uk or tel: 01908 858793). There will be an additional charge for postage and packing. Staff in the Open University Regional Centres also offer advice on preparatory study. Information on how to contact your nearest Regional Centre is included on p.40.

On successful completion of the programme of study, students will be eligible to apply for registration as a professional social worker.



E Use of computing on the degree

Requirements of the curriculumThe practice of social work now requires regular use of digital technologies and associated applications to help deliver an effective service and to keep up to date with new developments and evidence-based practice. This is reflected in the Social Work degree curriculum, which requires students to have developed a range of digital and information literacty skills including ICT (Information and Communication Technology) skills.

As a result, the OU Social Work degree uses a variety of integrated activities to enable students to:

1. Use a range of OU online systems and services

2. Communicate with their tutor and fellow students online

3. Develop ICT and IL (information literacy) skills required of social work graduates

4. Explore multimedia case study material and interactive activities relating to module theories and concepts.

1 Using OU online systems and services

OU students use a range of online and digital tools on a regular basis for study-related tasks. These enable students to work more efficiently, often providing time-saving benefits, and also give access to a wealth of information and expertise – key benefits to distance learners. For instance, students will submit assignments and receive comments from their tutor online. They will have instant access to digital resources via the OU Library and via their module website so they can search quickly for the information they want. Additional integrated tools will enable students to store resources and references into a ‘portfolio’ to access online, including for three years after graduation.

2 Communicating with tutors and fellow students online

In addition to regular face-to-face workshops with their tutor group, students are required to participate in regular online discussions and activities where they will continue to explore module themes and practise

online communication skills important to social work. As their communication skills develop throughout the programme, students will have opportunities for creating and sharing resources, and exciting ways to engage with perspectives from a range of agencies, disciplines, and across the different countries in the UK. For these activities students will need regular internet access.

3 Developing ICT and IL skills

Social Work graduates are expected to have developed digital literacy skills covering a range of applications relevant to social work practice. The OU degree contains specifically developed digital and information literacy skills activities (including ICT and IL) which cover relevant skills, wherever possible contextualised within social work. The first practice learning module (K113) contains the bulk of this teaching, and as a result students should expect an intensive period of ICT skills development during this module. Thereafter the focus on developing ICT skills will be considerably reduced, with K216 students instead being encouraged to apply these skills and reflect on their use in their social work practice, and K315 students to critically evaluate the effectiveness and their experience of ICT tools in the delivery of services.

ICT proficient students

ICT skills are becoming more widespread as part of technology-enhanced practice in social work. Students may arrive on the Social Work degree programme already competent in ICT skills, perhaps having already gained their ECDL (European Computing Driving Licence).

All students will be asked to demonstrate their skills and knowledge within the assessed tasks. Students who are already competent should be able to complete these quickly to gain the associated marks.

For those who need more support with ICT and IL activities we provide links to guidance. For those who are more confident it is possible to check what is covered and skip ahead to those parts which are either new to the student or need to be completed for assessment purposes.

4 Exploring multimedia case study material

Case study material will be provided using a variety of media delivered online. This will provide learning activities drawing on a selection of media resources,

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including audio, video, contextual documents and input from professionals in the form of audio or text commentary and feedback. Students may be directed to use these multimedia case studies and simulations in regular study periods throughout a module, or in a block of intensive learning.

Skills progression

After an intensive year on K113 of ICT skills development around the use of OU online systems, services and tools for study, students start to focus on social work practice. Case studies and the student’s experience in their practice learning opportunity now provide the context for learning activities (some of which may be ICT or IL exercises), requiring students to apply their skills and knowledge. Students will increasingly be required to use diagnostic or self-assessment activities to identify and work on their own skills development needs.

As students progress through the degree levels they will be required to study increasingly online. By the time they study the final Practice module, K315, students should be well equipped to carry out research online and use tools to manage and share resources such as bibliographic references and practice-based evidence.

Setting up

Before the student can engage with the OU online systems and services, there is an important induction period during which the student needs to set up their computer or other digital learning devices with the necessary internet access and any software required for the programme. In addition they will need to orientate and familiarise themselves with the basic skills to be able to make use of these. This period is therefore an opportunity to draw on guidance provided by the University and follow up any issues with the OU Computing Helpdesk and other support services.

Students may find the start of the programme requires an intensive burst of ICT-related work. However, the time invested will pay dividends as students will make frequent use of these tools for the duration of the degree programme.

Computer requirements

Details of the computer specifications for the programme can be found on the Study at the OU website. Details are accessed within the computing requirements section for the Social Work Programme.

The computer specification is deliberately kept as low as possible to allow use of older computers. However, there are four issues to consider:

• compatibilitywithOUassignmenthandling systems, including with the tutor’s computer

Students are strongly recommended to have Microsoft Word, not Microsoft Works. Although these names sound similar, they operate differently within the assignment system and may cause compatibility problems for tutors and students.

• softwarerequiredtocovertheICTskills.

To ensure they cover the ICT requirements, students will need to have access to the required software at the specified times in the modules. The ICT exercises are written with the specified software in mind. If students do not have access to this software, they will need to take responsibility for working around the gaps in guidance and support. To avoid the potential challenges this poses we strongly recommend that students follow the computer specification as closely as possible.

If a computer is more recent and up to date than the computer specification, and contains newer versions of the software specified, this will not cause difficulties.

• DVD-ROMuseformultimediacasestudies

Students studying K315 will require access to a DVD-ROM drive on their computer.

• TVwithDVDplayer

Some of the K315 case study activities will include longer video sequences, supplied on the DVD-ROM. It is necessary to view these either at a computer, or on a TV with DVD player.

Installing software

Software provided to students (downloaded from the OU website) is quality tested and widely used and installation should be straightforward. Occasionally settings within the student’s computer need to be adjusted to allow the software to run effectively. Support is available from the OU Computing Helpdesk to talk through the steps to take if any difficulties are experienced.

Students can access the online resources available through the module website and communicate with their tutor group using a normal web browser.



Establishing compatibility

It is important to check early on in each module that the tutors and students are using compatible software so that tutor feedback on assignments can be read. On occasions, if settings are incorrect or inappropriate software is used, a student may be unaware that there is feedback available in the marked assignment script. Since this is one of the most valuable learning opportunities in the module, it is essential to ensure this exchange of information is set up correctly. A trial exercise is therefore scheduled at the start of each module for students and tutors to exchange a dummy assignment and iron out any issues with the OU Computing Helpdesk.

Arranging access to a computer

Students will need to have access to a computer and the internet at home for a range of different study-related tasks. They will need regular access during the week to check their email, online tutor group forum and module website. This is the way they will keep in touch with the Open University news updates. In the lead-up to an assignment cut-off date they will need more sustained access over a longer period to write the assignment and complete the ICT skills work and assessed task. Students should also have access to a printer. Costs of internet access and printing are the responsibility of the student.

To complete the computer marked assignments and submit their TMAs students will need internet access. For information literacy activities students will need internet access to online resources via the OU Library. On modules which make use of case study material on CD/DVD-ROMs students are likely to need access for longer periods – from one to several hours, depending on the nature of the activity. The module texts will indicate with an icon what activity type it is and the amount of time to allow.

ICT skills preparation

While students are awaiting the programme start they may wish to take advantage of the time available to develop their ICT skills. Preparation work could include:

l reviewing computing skills within the Skills for OU Study website www.open.ac.uk/skillsforstudy

l identifying training opportunities available in the student’s workplace.

Recommended reading:

l Gregor, C. (2006) Practical computer skills for social work, Exeter, Learning Matters.

l Hill, A. and Shaw, I. (2011) Social work & ICT, London, Sage.

Agency access to the degree website

Agency Co-ordinators, Practice Educators and Workplace Supervisors can also request access to the degree website by emailing Claire Dougall ([email protected]). The website contains essential information about the programme, including the timetable, programme resources such as the Assessment Handbook and Practice Learning Guide, forms associated with the programme and links to individual module websites.

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The 20-day requirement

It is a requirement that students on all courses leading to a degree in Social Work in England must demonstrate that they are prepared for their practice learning.

K113 students must complete a structured programme of 20 practice skills days, preparing them for their first assessed practice learning opportunity at Stage 2. This programme of 20 days is not part of the 170 days of assessed practice learning which takes place while students study K216 and K315.

The programme of 20 practice skills days will consist of the following:

l 10 days of practice experience in a social care setting, which must include shadowing the work of a qualified social worker for at least one day

l 7 skills workshops run by OU tutors

l at least 3 days of skills activities which are incorporated into the module materials.

The 20 day practice skills programme will also prepare students to submit written assignments which demonstrates their ‘readiness for direct practice’ in accordance with the PCF criteria. This is a College of Social Work requirement, and will be part of the academic assessment on K113. Students will receive full details with their module materials.

The 10 days of practice experience should take place in the student’s normal workplace. We do not expect students to have to do any practice days in addition to their normal employment during their K113 studies. The OU will provide the student with specific activities to complete during the practice experience days. The student will be expected to make appropriate arrangements, as soon as possible after the module start, to undertake these activities with the permission of their line manager and/ or the verifier. The activities will include arranging and conducting a conversation with a service user, in addition to shadowing a qualified social worker. At the time of writing, further activities are still being designed and full guidance will be provided with the module materials. An example, based on the 2013 preparation for practice, is shown overleaf.

F Preparation for practice

The practice experience days are designed to confirm that the student:

l has the potential to conduct him/herself in a professional manner

l has the potential to engage safely and effectively with service users, and

l is unlikely to present any inappropriate behaviour to service users or colleagues.

Arguably, within the OU Programme the student should have shown his/her preparedness for practice already. Students who are sponsored by their employers may have had substantial and successful previous service user contact, and may through a process of selection be deemed to have the capacity and potential to learn from practice. Nevertheless, it is a national requirement that all students must complete assessed preparation for direct practice, including the opportunity to shadow a social worker, and the 20-day skills programme must be completed in order to pass K113 and proceed to K216.

Theverifier

The sponsoring agency is expected to nominate a verifier, who should be either a qualified social worker or someone who holds an equivalent qualification, for instance a nurse, teacher, community worker, registered manager or doctor. In most cases the verifier will be the student’s line manager. The verifier is verifying that the student has undertaken the required period of preparation for practice, has had the opportunity to shadow a qualified social worker, and has had a conversation with a service user. The verifier will also be asked to confirm that the student has behaved in a professional way; and that their conduct and and attitude towards service users and others is appropriate to begin the process of practice learning.

This evaluation is registered by the submission of a ‘Confirmation of Student’s Preparation for Practice’ form (SWD6) by the verifier. The submission date will be advised at the start of the module. This is an essential document which is considered by the K113 Practice Assessment Panel and the Examination and Assessment Board. Without this document a student cannot pass K113 and cannot proceed to study K216.

If for any reason the verifier cannot confirm that the preparation for practice has been completed, then they should inform the student, the relevant Open University staff tutor and the agency co-ordinator in writing. Further information about the procedures to be followed in these circumstances will be provided when the module begins.



Example of preparatory activities to be completed on the practice experience days (Full details to be provided with K113 module materials)

In confirming preparedness for practice, a verifier should be able to confirm that the student has demonstrated: Thismaybeachievedby:

A Some understanding of the range Reading relevant policy and procedure documents and visiting of tasks social workers carry out other service delivery settings; shadowing and interviewing qualified workers working with different service user groups

B Some ability to communicate Direct observation of an interaction with a service user, by a appropriately with service users both supervising social worker or others; feedback from a service user; in writing and orally simulation; use of letters or other documents to communicate with service users

Discussion with service users, participation and/or observation of meeting of service user group

C Some understanding of the experience Oral or written reports from line manager; observation of their of service users’ use of services work; feedback from service users

Discussion with service users, participation, and/or observation of meeting of service use group

D Their potential ability to meet Oral or written reports from line manager; observation of their deadlines, and be punctual and reliable work; feedback from service users

Discussions with supervising social workers; simulations; reading of organisation’s mission statement, relevant policies and procedures

E Some understanding of their Discussions with supervising social workers; simulations; reading responsibilities as an accountable of organisation’s mission statement, relevant policies and member of their organisation procedures

F The ability to comply with the relevant Reading the Standards of Proficiency together with supervising Standards of Proficiency for Social social workers and identifying how the student has demonstrated Workers in England that they comply with it.

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G Organising practice learning in the agency

Agencies which sponsor students on the Social Work Degree are responsible for finding practice learning opportunities (‘placements’) and practice educators for their staff. Detailed guidance on delivering practice learning is available on the agency website. Practice educators will also need access to the website. In this section we cover those aspects of agency responsibility which come prior to the start of the programme in February. For those agencies unfamiliar with the Social Work Degree, the terms used in this section are explained below:

Terms used in relation to practice learning

Practice Learning Opportunity (PLO): also known as ‘the placement’. There are two periods of assessed practice learning on the programme. The OU has adopted a phased approach to introducing the requirements of the Social Work Reform Board (SWRB). During 2014, practice learning opportunities will continue to include 100 days for both K216 and K315. However, in all other respects, from 2014 the OU will be following guidance set out by The College of Social Work to ensure implementation of the SWRB recommendations for practice learning. From 2015, to meet The College of Social Work requirements, the first placement (on K216) will last for 70 days, and the second placement (on K315) for 100 days. One of these can take place in the student’s normal place of work, and one must take place in a contrasting work setting – but the contrast must primarily be in relation to the service-user group involved. The DoH requirements clearly indicate that the contrast must be as great as possible, e.g. child care and adult mental health. In addition, students must gain experience of performing statutory tasks on their K315 placement. Further details on the requirements for the PLO are given below.

Agency co-ordinator: this is the person in the agency who arranges the PLOs, ensures they provide suitable learning opportunities and represents the agency if there are difficulties with the PLO or the student’s practice.

Practice educator: this is the person who takes on the teaching and assessment tasks associated with practice learning on the programme. Agencies are responsible for appointing practice educators. Guidance about who can become a practice educator is given below.

Off-site practice educator: in some circumstances where there is no suitable practice educator working in the practice setting, an off-site practice educator can be brought in to undertake the formal requirements of supervision, teaching and assessment. In these circumstances, a workplace supervisor is designated to undertake day-to-day support and supervision of the student.

Workplace supervisor: in circumstances where the practice educator is not working in the practice setting of the student, day-to-day supervision of the student is undertaken by the workplace supervisor. This may be the student’s line manager, or someone else with whom they work in the practice setting. For K315 the workplace supervisor should be a registered social worker in a post requiring HCPC registration. Further guidance is given below.

Programme Tutor: for the Practice modules K216 and K315, in addition to module tutors for each module, a Programme Tutor is also appointed by The Open University. The Programme Tutor liaises with agency co-ordinators, practice educators, workplace supervisors and students to agree a work plan (known as the ‘Practice Learning Agreement’ - PLA) and to monitor the progress of the student in the PLO and in their other work on the programme. They do not find the placements for students – this is the responsibility of the sponsoring agency.

Preparing for practice learning

We strongly advise agencies to start preparing for their roles and tasks in delivering practice learning as early as possible. This includes the following:

l Discussing the implications of staff undertaking the Social Work Degree with managers and colleagues

l Understanding the timing of PLOs and the implications for full-time and part-time staff

l Deciding which PLO will be ‘in-house’, and which will be ‘out-house’ (although in certain circumstances agencies may decide both PLOs need to be ‘out-house’)

l Understanding the requirement for contrast in PLOs

l Understanding the requirement to perform statutory social work in the K315 PLO

l Locating practice educators (and workplace supervisors if necessary)

l Locating practice learning opportunities

These points will be dealt with in detail below.



Discussing the implications of staff undertaking the social work degree with managers and colleagues

Experience has shown that an important factor in the success of staff on the Social Work Programme is the support they receive from their employers, line managers and colleagues. To secure this support, managers and others must be given information on what is involved, and how this will affect the work of staff undertaking the degree prior to, during, and immediately after the programme. In particular, it is important that they understand the following:

l That staff on the programme will need to have their study leave protected, and not eroded by demands to do extra shifts, or pressure to come in because of crises at work or other reasons

l That at least one of the periods of assessed practice learning will be outside the normal place of work, and that the member of staff will be effectively absent for the whole of this period and may need replacing

l That during assessed practice learning which takes place in the member of staff’s own workplace, they will not be able to do their ‘normal job’. Their learning needs may require different work and/or a restriction of their normal workload. Their approach to the work will be affected by the need to be assessed, and by their different role as a ‘student’ within their normal workplace. This will affect both managers and colleagues, and should be discussed and prepared for. Students who are managers normally require some adjustment to their management role to enable them to undertake work with service users. This is necessary in order for them to demonstrate their ability to perform the national occupational standards. Sponsoring such students often results in higher replacement costs being incurred than with other students.

Understanding the timing of PLOs and the implications for full-time and part-time staff

Practice learning opportunities must take place between the beginning of the OU year in early February and mid to late August. The latest possible start date is the end of February.

In order to plan for the required number of practice learning days in the time available, agencies should take into account our recommendation for study leave: 36 days per study year for students undertaking 120 credits (i.e. two 60 credit modules simultaneously) and 18 days for students undertaking a 60 credit module. Part-time staff can undertake the programme and their study days should be provided on a pro rata basis. Staff who cannot work 3/4 days per week should not be sponsored on to the programme. If in doubt, contact the Admissions Manager for more information.

Deciding which PLO will be ‘in-house’, and which will be ‘out-house’

The Programme is designed in such a way that students can usually undertake one period of practice learning in their own workplace, and one in another workplace. The Programme does not stipulate which PLO should be external and agencies can decide this for themselves. However, the requirements for both ‘contrast’ and performing statutory social work tasks in the K315 placement must be taken into account. The practice learning opportunities that are outside students’ own workplace do not have to be in another agency. The PLO can be in another part of their own agency as long as it offers appropriate ‘contrast’ and meets their learning needs. Contrast in workplace setting is important but it is crucial that the student should work with contrasting service user groups.

There may be a few students who need to undertake both placements outside their usual workplace setting in order to obtain sufficient opportunities to demonstrate their ability to meet the PCF standards at teh relevant level, or because of conflicts of interest which may arise in some types of agency. As a last resort, if these matters cannot be resolved in any other way, the Programme reserves the right to require a sponsoring agency to find two external placements for a sponsored student.

Changes in social work education

The degree is being updated to meet the new requirements in practice and curriculum as recommended by the Social Work Reform Board. These will be incorporated into the current programme from September 2013. Arrangements for the preparation for practice arrangements are still being finalised for 2014 and details will be on our website when available.

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Understanding the requirement for contrast in PLOs

The HCPC and The College of Social Work requirements are based on the principle that a social worker trains and qualifies with a broad experience and understanding of the profession, in a variety of settings and service user groups. This means that all students need to be offered broad practice experience to be able to meet the HCPC standards of proficiency when they have completed their training.

In practical terms this means that each practice learning opportunity must be with a substantially different service user group and at least one placement must be outside the student’s normal work setting. In addition, students must gain experience of performing statutory tasks on their K315 placement. These issues of contrast need to be considered before the practice learning opportunity for K216 is planned and again before K315. Some examples of acceptable and unacceptable contrast are outlined below. We cannot be exhaustive and these are only examples and indicators.

Examples

A contrast in practice learning opportunity between an adult service user group and a child service user group would be an adequate contrast. It would tend to show inherently different practice issues which the student could learn from. It would be more difficult, but still possible, to justify a contrast which did not involve this kind of age difference – for example, contrast between a local authority children and families team and a local authority children’s disability team or a child and mental health services team.

It is doubtful, however, if there would be sufficient contrast between a K216 practice learning opportunity in a local authority children and families team and a K315 opportunity based in a Looked After Children or a Leaving Care service. The overall nature of the service user and service would be too similar. Also, it is very doubtful if a practice learning opportunity centred on a housing association could be used for both K216 and K315. In addition to the potential issue of statutory tasks, the fundamental aspect of the service user would relate to housing and homelessness, whether or not it involved young people or adults. In such cases it would better to think in terms of a completely different setting for service provision. Similarly, sufficient contrast would not be obtained if the student were to work with offenders in both the K216 and K315 practice learning opportunities. Neither would sufficient contrast be obtained if a student

wished to move between an educational welfare service and a local authority children and families team.

A suitable contrast would be achieved if it was proposed that the student work in K216 with older adults and in K315 with mental health service users. Another suitable contrast would be between services for older adults, on the one hand, and working with young people and adults whose issues are centred on housing and homelessness, on the other. However, there will be ‘grey areas’ in looking for contrast between practice learning opportunities between K216 and K315. In such cases the Agency Co-ordinator or Programme Tutor may need to refer to the Staff Tutor for a decision. Further guidance is available on the agency website.

Understanding the requirement to perform statutory social work tasks

It is also important to remember that in K315 a student must be able to demonstrate that they have performed ‘statutory social work tasks’. This does not mean that the practice learning opportunity has to be in a local authority or other statutory body – although, if this were the case, it would be clearly advantageous in meeting this requirement. Many voluntary and independent organisations perform functions and tasks which are directly related to statute and could therefore provide appropriate learning opportunities.

The K315 placement setting should, however, be one in which the student will not be the sole social work representative. This is to meet The College requirement that, to support the development of professional identity, in the last placement the student must work alongside a qualified social worker who is in a post requiring registration. This person would normally be the practice educator or – if the practice educator is off-site - the workplace supervisor (see below for further advice).

Some agencies may offer their OU students additional statutory experience in their first (K216) PLO. If statutory duties are undertaken on the K216 placement it is important that the work is appropriate for a K216 student and enables them to demonstrate the PCF standards at the relevant level. Further advice can be obtained from the Programme Tutor.

It is especially important to note that students undertaking statutory tasks will need to be appropriately supervised and supported.

A ‘statutory social work task’ has the quality of being something that a social worker or social care worker must do or has the power to do as a result of legislation.



When considering the implications of these requirements, agency co-ordinators must keep in mind that the two periods of practice learning on the Programme should be designed to give the student an opportunity to meet the requirements of the PCF at the relevant level. Although the learning needs of students will to some extent depend on their existing knowledge, skills and experience, they must have the opportunity in each of the two periods of practice learning to assemble evidence of their ability and to demonstrate this to the satisfaction of their practice educators and the Assessment Board.

At the end of both practice learning opportunities there will be a meeting called the End of Practice Learning Review. In K216 the focus of this meeting will be looking ahead to the K315 practice learning opportunity and discussing the type of PLO required in K315. The meeting would also discuss the kinds of PLO which would be appropriate for learning in K315 in order to satisfy contrast requirements. This discussion would be recorded and provided to the agency co-ordinator and the student would bring this record to the K315 practice learning agreement meeting. In K315 the focus of the End of Practice Learning Review meeting will be the Continuing Professional Development needs of the student post-qualification.

If you are unsure how to interpret the guidance above, contact Programme staff for further advice.

Locating practice assessors and workplace supervisors

To meet the requirements of The College of Social Work, for both K216 and K315 the practice educator should:

l be a qualified social worker with two years’ post-qualifying experience, and registered with the HCPC

l have a working knowledge of the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF), as well as the HCPC’s standards of conduct, performance and ethics and its Guidance on Conduct and Ethics for Students

and:

l meet the minimum requirements of the Practice Educator Professional Standards (PEPS) at Stage 2, or

l hold a post qualifying (PQ) module in Practice Education at Higher Specialist level, or

l hold a Practice Teacher’s Award.

Here are some examples.

Mental health

Contributing to the provision of statutory after-care supervision and support to a formerly detained patient who has returned to live in the community.

Contributing to an assessment of a patient who may need to be detained in hospital. Such assessments are undertaken formally by a qualified Approved Mental Health Professional, but students may assist in the process.

Youth offending

As a member of a multi-disciplinary Youth Offending Team, or other statutory agency, contributing to the supervision of a young offender sentenced to compulsory supervision in the community.

Learning disability and older people

Contributing to a community care assessment of a person over the age of 18 who may be eligible for a statutory assessment of their community care needs.

Children and family work

As a member of a local authority children and families team, contributing to an assessment of need, including issues of abuse and neglect.

As a staff member of a voluntary organisation working with children subject to care proceedings, making a report to appropriate local authority staff for the purposes of assessment of need; or providing evidence, either written or oral, to a court regarding the needs of a child.

In both K216 and K315 students must be able to meet the PCF standards at the relevant level. In K315 students have to be able to demonstrate that they can work with an appropriate level of complexity, independence and autonomy. How this can be done and assessed will be explained in the Practice Learning Guide.

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Practice educators who are located on-site and working towards the above standards can take responsibility for a student social worker providing they are supported by a PEPS Stage 2 practice educator/mentor. However, this does not apply to off-site practice educators who must be registered social workers who have demonstrated proficiency at PEPS Stage 2.

Until September 2015, in exceptional circumstances and with the agreement of the staff tutor and the K216 Module Team Chair, staff who are not registered social workers and/or hold other qualifications may be considered as practice educator for K216 only, providing they are not off-site and meet the other standards outlined above.

Practice educators should not be:

l someone with direct line management responsibility for the student within the student’s sponsoring agency

l someone who owns or is a director or chief executive of the student’s sponsoring agency.

Agencies should give careful thought to recruitment of practice educators as the experience of the practice educator is an important factor with respect to both learning and assessment on the programme. If you wish to appoint a practice educator who does not fit these requirements, you must get the agreement of the Programme first. Please contact your regional staff tutor if you wish to use a non-standard practice educator.

Locating practice educators may depend on whether the PLO is in the agency, or in another ‘outside’ agency (see below). Where the practice educator is in a different workplace from the student, or indeed is independent of the agency, a workplace supervisor will need to be appointed. This will normally be an experienced practitioner (or the student’s line manager) in the placement setting, who can provide day-to-day supervision and support.

Students are required to have a different practice educator in each PLO. If agencies are unable to meet this requirement, they should contact the Programme for advice.

From September 2015 however, all practice educators must be registered social workers. Note that practice educators should not be a student’s line manager or owner/director of the student’s sponsoring agency.

If it is necessary to appoint both a practice educator and workplace supervisor (see above), please note the following new requirements for workplace supervisors:

l a K315 workplace supervisor must be a registered social worker in a post requiring HCPC registration

l to meet The College of Social Work recommendation, a K216 workplace supervisor should ideally be working towards PEPS Stage 1 proficiency.

The K315 requirement for the workplace supervisor is because K315 placements must adhere to The College of Social Work’s placement criteria for statutory interventions. This states that where the practice educator is not on-site, the student will work alongside a social worker who must be in a post requiring registration. If agencies are unable to meet this requirement they should contact the Programme for advice.

Locating practice learning opportunities

When locating practice learning opportunities, agency co-ordinators need to give close attention to the sections above on ‘in-house’ and ‘out-house’ PLOs and the requirements for contrast and statutory tasks in K315. Similarly, the location of practice learning opportunities and practice educators is likely to be closely entwined. Many agency co-ordinators will have experience of arranging PLOs for other degree programmes and be part of local formal, or informal, networks. Others will be new to this, and may want to make use of the network of agencies which use the OU Programme. In all circumstances, it is critical to start to locate and plan for practice learning opportunities as early as possible in the year prior to your students studying K216 or K315.

There are a number of reasons why some agencies using the OU programme for their staff may wish to co-operate with other programme users to find suitable practice learning opportunities, including the following:

l because the agency is small and/or highly specialised and is unable to provide opportunities for the students to get contrasting and/or statutory experience and to transfer learning

l because a student has particular learning needs which cannot be met by the agency even if its learning opportunities are fairly diverse

l because it is felt that the student/agency/service users would benefit from the student undertaking at least one period of practice learning in a different agency.



Before embarking on negotiations to co-operate with other Programme user agencies, it is important to take account of the responsibilities of the agency with respect to sponsoring a student on the degree. These are included in the Collaboration Agreement which the agency signs with The Open University.

Agency contractual responsibilities with respect to practice learning

l The agency is responsible for finding two periods of assessed practice learning which meet The Open University Social Work Degree (England) requirements and the student’s learning needs for each student they sponsor on the Programme

l The agency is required to provide the student with a practice educator who meets the Programme’s requirements for both periods of assessed practice learning.

When negotiating co-operation with another Programme user agency, agency co-ordinators should ensure that any agreement reached takes account of the following:

Factors to consider when negotiating co-operation over practice learning opportunities with other programme user agencies

l Is the arrangement to provide a period of practice learning only, or a period of practice learning and a practice educator?

l How will practice learning funding for the period of practice learning be shared between agencies and how will the practice educator be paid?

l In the event of the practice learning opportunity breaking down because the practice educator is unable to continue, or the placement failing to provide what has been agreed in the practice learning agreement, who will be responsible for providing additional or alternative practice learning opportunities?

l Who will bear the costs of travelling to and within the practice learning opportunities?

l What rules governing criminal records checks exist in both agencies?

Practice learning opportunity quality standards

The Open University Social Work Degree (England) has laid down certain standards for practice learning opportunities. These standards govern (i) the content of the practice learning agreement, (ii) the quality and quantity of practice assessment, and (iii) reporting procedures, including that the practice educator’s final report is submitted on time. Full details of the standards are included below.

For all providers the following Quality Standards are to be applied to all practice learning opportunities funded under the arrangements.

1 Practice learning agreement

Agreement is written and signed by student and representatives of both programme and provider.

Agreement identifies learning needs and practice learning opportunities.

Agreement is explicit about how the student can access (i) support arrangements and (ii) systems for complaints.

Agreement specifies the duration and frequency of supervision.

2 Practice assessment

Practice educator meets minimum requirements specified by the OU Programme.

The student receives the supervision as set out in the Agreement.

Provider has established support systems and training for practice educators or access to such arrangements.

The practice educator will ensure that the student is made aware of the provider’s Health and Safety procedures and other relevant policies and procedures.

25



3 Reporting

The student has read and contributed to the practice assessment report and countersigned to this effect.

Report states that the student has or has not provided evidence of his/her ability to meet the standards of the PCF at the relevant level and refers to the appropriate evidence for this statement.

Practice educator Report is completed and submitted to the OU on time.

Practice funding

The Department of Health in England makes funding available to help agencies with the costs of providing PLOs. Please refer to page 8.

Health and safety issues for students in practice learning opportunities

Employers are accustomed to giving advice to staff on the necessity for vaccination against hepatitis B if the nature of their work is likely to put them at particular risk. However, the issue may be overlooked where a student is going out of their normal work environment into a new setting for a practice learning opportunity.

We strongly recommend sponsoring agencies and students to take advice from the agency providing the practice learning opportunity, from their own Occupational Health Department or the student’s own GP if there are worries about a risk of hepatitis B infection while a student is on placement.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral infection which is usually spread from person to person by blood to blood contact, including injury with sharp objects or sexual intermodule. Transmission has also rarely followed bites from an infected person. It is not passed on by normal everyday contact.

The illness can be anywhere between mild and very severe and usually causes jaundice. Hepatitis B can lead to long-term liver and health problems.

Risk assessment

Vaccination is recommended for individuals who are at risk of contracting hepatitis B because of their lifestyle, occupation or some other factor.

A higher prevalence of hepatitis B carriage has been found among certain groups of people with learning disabilities, both in residential accommodation and in special schools, than in the general population. Decisions on immunisation should be made on the basis of a local risk assessment.

Employers are required to undertake a risk assessment where there may be a risk to workers because of their occupation, and to take necessary measures to protect workers and others who may be exposed, as far as reasonably practicable. The risk assessment must be made available to and understood by anyone it applies to. If the risk assessment highlights a requirement for vaccination against hepatitis B, then all those who are undertaking the work must be able to prove they have been vaccinated.

Vaccination

Where vaccination is indicated, the module consists of three injections and should be commenced at least two months before any possible exposure to hepatitis B.

Immunisation against hepatitis B is not a substitute for good practice hygiene. Universal precautions must be maintained.



H Issues or problemsarising after the programme start

Help from the OU

Help, advice and information are available from a range of OU staff, both centrally based administrative staff at Walton Hall and Programme Tutors, Associate Lecturers and Staff Tutors in your local OU region. You will find contact details for Walton Hall administrative staff and Regional Staff Tutors at the back of this booklet. Students will have details of their own tutors and Programme tutor. Information about the programme is also available on our website: www.open.ac.uk/hsc

Notifying the OU when things go wrong or change

Agency staff, agency co-ordinators, practice educators and workplace supervisors can help us by letting us know about:

l changes which affect a student’s position on the programme

l any problems they encounter as a result of programme procedures

l change of name or address of student.

It is very important to let us know immediately if:

l a student leaves the agency’s employment

l a student is suspended from work or is the subject of a disciplinary hearing

l a student commits a criminal offence or receives a police caution

l the agency is contemplating suspending or terminating a placement for any reason

l there are any changes in agency appointed personnel: Agency co-ordinator, practice educator or workplace supervisor (or their contact details)

l a significant new health issue has arisen in relation to the student.

If an agency is concerned about any aspect of the Programme, please do let us know. You can contact regionally based staff or the Head of Operations at Walton Hall.

Opening Doors 2013/14 – Appendix 1 27


SAMPLETHE OPEN UNIVERSITY

and

«Correct_Legal_Entity»

COLLABORATION AGREEMENT

Social Work Degree in England

The Open University Walton Hall

Milton Keynes MK7 6AA

Appendix 1

This is a copy of the current Collaboration Agreement, which the Open University will draw up and send to each agency for signature. However, the University reserves the right to amend the terms and conditions solely at its discretion.

28

SAMPLE

COLLABORATION AGREEMENT

BETWEEN

THE OPEN UNIVERSITY of Walton Hall Milton Keynes MK7 6AA (hereinafter referred to as the “OU”)

AND

«Correct_Legal_Entity» of «Address_on_Agreement» (hereinafter referred to as the “Sponsor”)

which are together referred to as “the Parties” or in the singular a “Party”

WHEREAS

1. The Parties have identified a need for a degree in social work to be available by the method of distance teaching.

2. The OU has the necessary experience and expertise in the area of social work and distance teaching to design a number of distance learning modules making up a programme leading to a degree in social work.

3. The Sponsor is able to provide competent practice educators to supervise the practical experience required by the Programme and the Sponsor will abide by the OU’s selection procedure, and ensure that each student meets all the criteria before being admitted on the Programme.

4. The Parties wish to collaborate in the delivery of such a programme for presentation by the OU and are entering into this Agreement to define the terms and conditions of their collaboration.


SAMPLE

NOW IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:-

1. Definitions

In this Agreement:-

“Agreement” means this Collaboration Agreement.

“Module Materials” means those materials which are used for the modules, whatever medium they are recorded on.

“Module Tutor(s)” means the member(s) of the OU’s tutorial and counselling staff with responsibility for supporting students’ learning by means of tutorials, workshops and marking students’ work for a particular module.

“Modules” means the modules listed in Appendix 1, which can be counted towards the Degree.

“Degree” means the Honours Degree in Social Work awarded by the OU to students who successfully complete the Programme.

“HCPC” means the Health and Care Professions Council in England.

“Intellectual Property Rights” any patent, registered design, copyrights, database right, design right, topography right, trade mark, service mark, application to register any of the aforementioned rights, trade secret, right in unpatented know-how, right of confidence and any other intellectual or industrial property right of any nature whatsoever in any part of the world.

“Practice educator(s)” means the person(s) employed by and appointed by the Sponsor to be responsible for supervision of practice learning periods.

“Practice Learning Opportunities” means practice learning organised by the Sponsor for the students to gain practical experience in the social work field and in order to demonstrate ability and meet the assessment requirements of the degree.

“Practice Learning Period” means either of the 100 day practice learning opportunities.

“Practice Learning Report” means a final written assessment of a student’s ability written at the end of each practice learning period.

30

SAMPLE

“Practice Verifier” means the person(s) employed by and appointed by the Sponsor to be responsible for confirming that the student has prepared for practice and that their behaviour and attitude is appropriate to begin the process of practice learning.

“Programme” means the academic programme of study required by the OU to be studied by students in order to obtain the Degree including two practice learning periods each of 100 days.

“Programme Tutor(s)” means the person(s) appointed by the OU for the Programme having general responsibility for managing students’ performance across the modules and facilitating meetings for the practice learning aspects of modules.

“Sponsorship Agreement” means the document that has been signed by the Sponsor accepting responsibility for payment of the fees for the year specified in the document.

“Student(s)” means student(s) registered with the OU and studying the Programme with a view to obtaining the Degree.

“TMA” means tutor marked assignment.

References herein to a Clause or Clauses and to an Appendix or Appendices are references to clauses of and appendices to this Agreement.

2. Commencement and Duration 2.1 This Agreement is effective from the last signature hereof and the Parties agree that it shall take effect from << >>.

3. Obligations of the OU

The OU shall:

3.1 design the modules and make available and deliver the module materials

3.2 present the modules:

3.2.1 be responsible for the appropriate selection of students for the Degree.

3.2.2 provide each student with a set of the module materials for each module he or she is studying

3.2.3 appoint a Module Tutor for each module

3.2.4 appoint a Programme Tutor for the two modules that incorporate the two practice learning opportunities

3.2.5 organise, set and mark TMAs, and examinations for each module as appropriate

3.3 award the honours degree to students at the end of the Programme


SAMPLE

4. Obligations of the Sponsor

The Sponsor shall:

4.1 where agreed with the student pay the fees for each practice module, in accordance with the terms of the Sponsorship Agreement.

4.2 ensure that the student is assessed as ready for practice in accordance with the Department of Health’s requirement (Requirements for Social Work Training, page 3, paragraph K). This will take the form of 20 days of preparation for practice within which the student must have the opportunity to shadow a qualified social worker and this will be overseen by a Practice Verifier.

4.3 permit and organise two appropriate practice learning opportunities of 100 days each for each student in accordance with the Department of Health’s requirement (Requirements for Social Work Training, page 3, paragraph J), The practice learning opportunities shall take place at Levels 2 and 3 of the student’s programme of study.

4.4 ensure that the practice learning takes place in at least two contrasting settings, of which one may be within the student’s own place of work, and that the student has experience of statutory social work tasks including legal interventions.

4.5 during the practice learning periods provide or procure provision of training and access for the student to social work experience and necessary staff support and other resources, in accordance with the Department of Health’s requirement (Requirements for Social Work Training, page 3, paragraph J).

4.6 in respect of each practice learning period, designate a Practice educator who shall:

4.6.1 carry out observations, and offer regular feedback to the student throughout the practice learning period.

4.6.2 carry out such assessment duties as the Programme determines.

4.6.3 participate in planning, monitoring and review meetings with each student and his or her Programme Tutor.

4.6.4 participate in supervision sessions with each student.

4.7 support the students it sponsors by releasing them from their normal duties for specified study periods and practice learning opportunities as set out in Appendix 2.

4.8 participate in the quality assurance processes for the Programme.

4.9 comply with the law in force whether statutory or otherwise relating to social work in the place in which each student is carrying out his or her practice learning opportunity.

4.10 alert the Programme if any student becomes the subject of an enquiry which may indicate his or her behaviour is “damaging or dangerous to service users, and/or colleagues, or that it creates an unacceptable risk for themselves or others”.

4.11 Disclosure and Barring Service check that includes checks against the children and adult barred list from the Disclosure and Barring Service. The Disclosure must be carried out prior to the Student’s registration onto the Degree and be dated within a year of their registration. A copy of the disclosure or written confirmation of its contents must be provided to the university.

32

SAMPLE

4.12 provide evidence to the OU that each candidate meets all entry requirements as stipulated by the College of Social Work at the point of registration on the Programme.

5. Students who fail Component Modules of the Programme

5.1 The Sponsor may choose to terminate this Agreement in relation to a student who fails one of the modules in the Programme.

6. Non-Discrimination

6.1 Neither party shall unlawfully discriminate within the meaning and scope of the provisions of the various statutes relating to discrimination in employment.

6.2 The Programme seeks to ensure that in all aspects of its development and delivery individuals associated with it will enjoy equal rights (subject to their special needs) and that their uniqueness and diversity will be welcomed. Furthermore, the Programme undertakes not to discriminate against anybody on the grounds of their race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexuality, disability, age or social and economic class.

Therefore, the Programme will:

a) develop and implement selection and assessment procedures which promote equal opportunity;

b) ensure that all learning materials and all learning experiences both adequately reflect the OU’s equal opportunity policy and also promote and ensure that students practice in an anti-discriminatory way;

c) provide opportunities through the staff development programme for those people who are either developing learning materials or teaching on the Programme to develop and extend their own understanding and skills in anti-discriminatory practice;

d) expect that all staff and students teaching or learning on the Programme will adopt a value base which leads to their working in a way that welcomes diversity and uniqueness in other people, that promotes their rights and appropriately counters unfair discrimination, racism, sectarianism, disadvantage and injustice.

e) employers will be mindful that no student is disadvantaged by the physical and organisational environment in which he or she may be required to work. This is in accordance with the principles of the Special Educational Needs Act (SENDA) now referred to as the Disability Discrimination Act (Part IV).

7. Copyright and Intellectual Property Rights

7.1 All Intellectual Property Rights in the module materials and any other materials arising out of the provision of the modules remain with the OU, and the Sponsor shall not use any Intellectual Property Rights belonging to, or licenced to, the OU without the OU’s prior written consent.

8. Implementation of the Modules

8.1 Students shall enrol with the OU and be bound by its regulations.

8.2 The OU shall present the modules as OU modules in accordance with its own academic and teaching methods and procedures and shall have absolute discretion as to content and presentation of the modules.


SAMPLE

9. Withdrawal and Deregistration of Students

In the event that a student withdraws or is deregistered from the Programme for any reason at any time, the OU’s rules as set out in the Student Regulations shall apply where applicable as regards any refund to the Sponsor of fees paid.

10. Indemnity and Warranty

10.1 The OU accepts:

10.1.1 legal liability for death or personal injury to person(s) caused by its negligence or fraudulent misrepresentation in connection with this Agreement.

10.1.2 legal liability for direct loss or damage to property caused by its negligence in connection with the Agreement up to a maximum of £500,000 (five hundred thousand pounds sterling) for each event or series of related events and which shall not exceed £1,000,000 (one million pounds sterling) in the aggregate;

10.1.3 legal liability for breach of contract in connection with the Agreement up to a maximum of £250,000 (two hundred and fifty thousand pounds sterling) per claim or series of related claims or the value of the Agreement whichever is the lower;

10.1.4 legal liability for the proven professional negligence of its employees in connection with the Agreement up to a maximum of £250,000 (two hundred and fifty thousand pounds sterling) per claim or series of related claims or the value of the Agreement whichever is the lower.

10.2 To the fullest extent permissible by law, the OU excludes liability whether arising as a result of negligence, breach of contract or in any other way, for any indirect or consequential loss or damage, including without limitation loss of data, loss of profit, revenue or anticipated savings even if the OU could reasonably have foreseen or has been advised of the possibility of such loss or damage.

10.3 The Sponsor shall indemnify the OU and keep the OU indemnified against any and all costs, claims, expenses, fees, liabilities and damages arising out of or in connection with any failure by the Sponsor to provide sufficient practice learning opportunities in accordance with Clause 11.3.

11. Termination and Suspension of Agreement

11.1 Either Party may without prejudice to any rights they may have by notice in writing to the other Party terminate this Agreement forthwith if:

11.1.1 the other Party shall commit a material breach of any of the terms of this or any other agreement between them provided if such breach is remediable that notice thereof has previously been given and reasonable action to remedy the same has not been undertaken within seven days thereafter; or

11.1.2 the other Party compounds with or negotiates for any composition with its creditors generally or permits any judgement against it to remain unsatisfied for 14 (fourteen) days; or

11.1.3 the other Party shall call any meeting of its creditors or have a receiver of all or any of its assets appointed by a court.

34

SAMPLE

11.2 In the event of termination for whatsoever reason the Parties shall each use their best endeavours to take all such steps as are necessary to enable students who enrolled prior to the date of termination to finish the Programme including completing all necessary modules and carrying out all necessary practice learning periods, save that neither Party shall be required to subsidise the costs of any such student in continuing their studies in the event that this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Clause 11 or Clause 18.

11.3 If the Sponsor does not allow the Student(s) sufficient time for practice learning opportunities as set out in Appendix 2 to enable the Student to complete any Module, the OU reserves the right to terminate this Agreement subject to the following provisions:

11.3.1 the OU will endeavour to extend the study period for the Student to allow the Sponsor to provide practice learning opportunities. The Sponsor will be liable for any fees incurred by the OU as a result of such extension; and

11.3.2 where the Sponsor has failed to provide sufficient time for practice learning opportunities on more than one occasion, the OU reserves the right to not accept any further students from the Sponsor.

11.4 Where the Agreement is terminated under Clause 11.3 the Sponsor will be liable for all fees for all Students for any part of a study year during which this Agreement is terminated.

11.5 If a student leaves the employment of the Sponsor, then the Sponsor’s obligations to the student and the OU, as set out in this Agreement, will automatically cease at that point.

12. Notices

Any notices to be served under this Agreement shall be sent by first class recorded delivery to the addresses given above and:

12.1 in the case of notices to the OU, marked for the attention of the Contracts Manager, Finance Division;

12.2 in the case of notices to the Sponsor, marked for the attention of the signatory of this agreement or such person as the Sponsor shall notify to the OU in writing.

13. Law and Jurisdiction

This Agreement shall be subject to the laws of England and to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts.

14 Amendments

Amendments or changes to this Agreement shall only be valid if made in writing and signed by duly authorised representatives of both Parties.

15. Whole Agreement

The Parties acknowledge that this Agreement contains the whole agreement between them relating to the Programme and supersedes all previous agreements whether express or implied.


SAMPLE

16. No Agency

Nothing in this Agreement shall cause the Parties to constitute or be deemed to constitute a partnership (in the legal sense entailing joint and several liability) or agency between the Parties and neither of them shall have nor represent that they have any authority to bind the other in any way.

17. Severance

In the event that any provision of this Agreement is declared by any competent authority to be void, voidable, illegal or otherwise unenforceable then that part shall be deleted and the remainder of the Agreement shall remain in force.

18. Force Majeure

Neither Party shall be under any liability to the other for any breach of any term of this Agreement or any failure or delay in performance under this Agreement arising as a result of any cause beyond its reasonable control including but not limited to any act of God, fire, flood, earthquake, storm, epidemic, drought, any government action or inaction, sabotage, explosion, strikes, lock-outs or any failure of equipment or power supply. This Agreement shall be suspended during the continuance of any event of force majeure and if such event continues for longer than three months, the Party not affected shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement forthwith by notice in writing.

19. Data Protection

19.1 The OU may communicate module results relating to students employed by the Sponsor to the Sponsor. The Sponsor agrees that any data communicated to it by the OU (as opposed to data it obtains itself) will be kept secure and shall not communicate such data to any third parties.

19.2 To the extent that any data or information belonging to each party is personal data within the meaning of the Data Protection Act 1998 (“Act”), each party warrants that it will:

19.2.1 process such data and information only in accordance with the Act and the data controller’s (as such term as defined in the Act) instructions and in connection with the subject matter of this Agreement;

19.2.2 not transmit such data and information to a country or territory outside the European Economic Area without the data controller’s express consent.

19.3 In respect of any breach by it, each party will indemnify the other party against all breaches of the provisions of Clauses 19.1 and 19.2 in respect of the other party’s data and information.

20 Exclusion of Third Party Rights

A person who is not a Party to this Agreement has no rights under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of this Agreement but does not affect any right or remedy of a third party which exists or is available apart from that Act.

36

SAMPLE

AS WITNESS whereof the Parties have executed this Agreement on the dates set out below

Signed for and on behalf of Signed for and on behalf of

THE OPEN UNIVERSITY «Correct_Legal_Entity»

Signature:............................................. Signature:...........................................

Name:................................................... Name:................................................

Title:…Head of Operations, Social Work. Title:....…………………………………

Date:...................................................... Date:...................................................

File reference for this contract: «Agreement_Ref»

[template] File: Perm2005ksh53b


SAMPLE

APPENDIX 1

Number of students:

Codes, and Module Titles

(Please Note: Codes and Module Titles are subject to change)

PART A: Compulsory Modules

Level 1

1. K113: Foundations for social work practice (60 credits)

2. K101: An introduction to health and social care (60 credits)

Level 2

3. K216: Applied social work practice (60 credits)

4. K270: Law and social work practice (60 credits)

Level 3

5. K315: Critical social work practice (60 credits)

PART B: Option Modules

Level 3

6. KE312: Working together for children (60 credits)

7. K313: Leadership and management in health and social care (60 credits)

8. K319 Adulthood, ageing and the life module (60 credits)

Modules on the Programme may be subject to change. For up to date information on all modules, please visit www.open.ac.uk/study


38

SAMPLE

APPENDIX 2

Study Leave

The requirements for study leave will depend on the student’s study pattern, as set out below.

Full-time Students

The OU recommends that the Sponsor permits students to take the following minimum study leave (for private study, exams and tutorials):• 36 days per study year for students studying a full stage (120 credits) in a year;• 18 days per study year for students studying a 60 credit module;• Nine days per study year for students studying a 30 credit module.

The Sponsor has an obligation to release the students from their normal duties for every day that is nominated as a practice learning day for the duration of each of the practice learning periods in K216 and K315.

While students are studying K216 and K315 workshop attendance (six days) can be taken from the practice learning days.

Part-time Students

The OU recommends that the Sponsor permits students to take the following minimum study leave (for private study, exams and tutorials):• 18 days per study year for students studying a full stage (120 credits) in a year;• Nine days per study year for students studying a 60 credit module; • Four and a half days per study year for students studying a 30 credit module.

The Sponsor has an obligation to release the students from their normal duties for three days a week for the duration of each practice learning period. Students wishing to undertake practice learning on a part-time basis will need to negotiate to complete the full number of days within the time period allotted. This may involve working a longer day (see the Practice Learning guide).

Students “counting” existing module pass results towards the Degree

Students who have already gained a pass result status for the following modules are entitled to “count” the result against the Degree:• K100/KZX100: Understanding health and social care (discontinued module)• K101: An introduction to health and social care• KYJ113: Foundations for social work practice• K270: Law and social work practice• an option module at Level 3 (provided the third level module has not already been counted towards the

classification of another OU degree) or • K302: Critical practice in health and social care (discontinued module) or• K309: Communication in health and social care (discontinued module) or• K303: Managing care (discontinued module) or• KE308: Youth: perspectives and practice (discontinued module).

39



Centrally-based Walton Hall staff

Faculty of Health & Social Care The Open University Walton Hall Milton Keynes MK7 6AA

See direct line tel. nos. below. Fax no. is 01908 654124

Mick McCormick Head of Department, Social Work 01908 654275 [email protected]

Kate Fawcett Head of Operations 01908 654237 [email protected]

Claire Dougall (for issues relating to practice learning funding) 01908 654378 [email protected]

Lorna Elkington K315 Curriculum Manager 01908 652821 [email protected]

Karen Kingsnorth K216 Curriculum Manager 01908 654274 [email protected]

Louisa Taylor Admissions Manager 01908 654250 [email protected]

Jo Woodward K113 Curriculum Manager 01908 654444 [email protected]

Fran Wiles Assistant Head of Department 01908 654716 [email protected]

Other OU contacts

The Partnership Team (for issues relating to registration) PO Box 197 The Open University Milton Keynes MK8 7BJ 0800 300 8851 [email protected] Fax: 01908 654914

Credit Transfer Centre PO Box 80 The Open University Walton Hall Milton Keynes MK7 6AS 01908 653077 www.open.ac.uk/credit-transfer

Useful contacts



Open University Regional Centres

Contact your local Regional Centre for advice on preparatory study and services available for students with a disability.

The OU in London (Region 01) The Open University, 1–11 Hawley Crescent Camden Town, LONDON NW1 8NP Tel. 020 7485 6597 E-mail [email protected] Areacovered:GreaterLondon

The OU in the South East (Region 13) The Open University, St James’s House 150 London Road, EAST GRINSTEAD RH19 1HG Tel. 01342 327821 E-mail [email protected] Areacovered:Kent,Surrey,E.Sussex,W.Sussex

The OU in the South (Region 02) The Open University, Foxcombe Hall Boars Hill, OXFORD OXl 5HR Tel. 01865 327000 E-mail [email protected] Areacovered:Berkshire,Buckinghamshire, ChannelIslands,Dorset,Hampshire,IsleofWight,Oxfordshire,partofWiltshire

The OU in the South West (Region 03) The Open University, 4–5 Portwall Lane BRISTOL BSl 6ND Tel. 0117 9299641 E-mail [email protected] Areacovered:Bristol,Cornwall,Devon,Gloucestershire,Somerset, Scilly Isles, most of Wiltshire

The OU in the West Midlands (Region 04) The Open University, 66–68 High Street Harborne, BIRMlNGHAM B17 9NB Tel. 0121 426 1661 E-mail [email protected] Areacovered:HerefordshireandWorcestershire,Shropshire, most of Staffordshire, Warwickshire, W.Midlands

The OU in the East Midlands (Region 05) The Open University, Clarendon Park Clumber Avenue, Sherwood Rise, NOTTINGHAM NG5 1AH Tel. 0115 962 5451 E-mail [email protected] Areacovered:MostofDerbyshire,Leicestershire,Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Rutland,partofStaffordshire(Burton-on-Trentarea)

The OU in East Anglia (Region 06) The Open University, Cintra House 12 Hills Road, CAMBRIDGE CB2 lPF Tel. 01223 364721 E-mail [email protected] Areacovered:Bedfordshire,Cambridgeshire,Essex,Hertfordshire,Norfolk,Suffolk

The OU in Yorkshire (Region 07) The Open University, 2 Trevelyan Square Boar Lane, LEEDS LS1 6ED Tel. 0113 244 4431 E-mail [email protected] Areacovered:North,SouthandWestYorkshire, EastRidingofYorkshire

The OU in the North West (Region 08) The Open University, 351 Altrincham Road, Sharston, MANCHESTER M22 4UN Tel. 0161 998 7272 E-mail [email protected] Areacovered:Cheshire,partofDerbyshire,IsleofMan,Lancashire,GreaterManchester,Merseyside

The OU in the North (Region 09) The Open University, Abbots Hill Baltic Business Quarter, GATESHEAD, NE8 3DF Tel. 0191 477 6100 E-mail [email protected] Areacovered:Cumbria,Durham,Northumberland,Teesside, Tyne and Wear

How to implement the Social Work Degree Programme (England) in your Agency

2013/14

Opening Doors

The Open University is incorporated by Royal Charter (RC 000391), an exempt charity in England and Wales and a charity registered in Scotland (SC 038302).

Contact points for advice and registration

Please visit our website:

www.open.ac.uk/hscor phone our social work enquiry line on:

01908 654229Our lines are open: Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00

Email: [email protected]

Faculty of Health & Social CareThe Open UniversityWalton HallMilton KeynesMK7 6AAUnited Kingdom SUP 039070

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