Survey seeks Social Work sector feedback to develop degree level apprenticeship
The views of employers and stakeholders across Scotland’s Social Work sector are needed to support the development of a new degree level apprenticeship for the profession which will meet current and future skills needs.
The Graduate Apprenticeship (GA) in Social Work at proposed SCQF level 10 has been developed through an employer-led approach coordinated by Skills Development Scotland (SDS).
Take the survey
Those completing the proposed apprenticeship framework will be awarded Bachelor of Arts BA (Hons) Social Work (Graduate Apprenticeship).
All those who have been involved in shaping the GA are now seeking wider industry feedback on the proposed content of the apprenticeship and relevant skills obtained.
The survey can be found by visiting www.bit.ly/socialworkGA
Respondents should complete the survey by Monday, 16 June.
Developed by industry
Feedback through the survey will influence final documentation necessary for the Graduate Apprenticeship to be submitted for final approval in the summer of 2025.
The GA development work was directed by an Apprenticeship Development Group (ADG), chaired by Leigh Jolly, Chief Social Work Officer, Interim Chief Officer Aberdeenshire Health & Social Care Partnership.
The ADG includes relevant employers from the social work workforce, industry experts, representatives from the professional regulatory body: Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), the professional association: Scottish Association of Social Work (SASWA) and the trade union Unison.
Professionally qualified social work experts within Higher Education from the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) and the Open University in Scotland (OU) have led the technical writing of documents.
Supporting sector skills demand
In 2021, Scotland’s Social Work Education Partnership (SWEP) agreed that the regulator, the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), should explore the feasibility of creating a Graduate Apprenticeship (GA) in Social Work to support a drive to improve access into Social Work careers and support the sector’s skills demand.
Leigh Jolly said: “It has been really exciting to be part of the development of the Graduate Apprenticeship framework and standard, which will provide a new, innovative and robust pathway into the social work professional that combines, education, real life experience and financial accessibility.
“It is a real privilege to work alongside our communities and provide social work services. We meet people at some of the most vulnerable times in their lives and getting the standard and framework right will help us prepare apprenticeship graduates to be well prepared for the complexities of the social work role.”
Maxine Devlin, Operational Learning & Organisational Development, Senior Practice Learning Officer, Talent and Organisational Development Team, North Lanarkshire Council said: “At North Lanarkshire Council, we’re pleased to be part of the working group that helped develop Scotland’s new Graduate Apprenticeship in Social Work. It’s been exciting to work alongside Skills Development Scotland and other partners on this project.
“We’re especially looking forward to seeing the first group of apprentices start later this year, and to the new opportunities this will create for people who want to become social workers.”
Shaping a new career route for sector
Earlier this year, a national employee consultation on the creation of the Graduate Apprenticeship resulted in nearly 500 responses.
Laura Lamb, Director of Workforce, Education and Standards, Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) said: “We have worked with our partners to develop the Graduate Apprenticeship in Social Work and we’d really like to hear your views on the programme. If you’re an employer, currently studying social work or considering it as a career, please tell us what you think.”
Abigail Kinsella, Development Manager, National Training Programmes within Skills Development Scotland, encourages partners and stakeholders to complete the consultation survey: “The voice of the social work workforce will shape the future of an additional pathway into the role of a professionally qualified social worker. By sharing insight today, this will help build the Graduate Apprenticeship to be a strong, more inclusive work- based learning programme that reflects the needs and values of a highly skilled profession.”
For more information on the development of apprenticeships in Scotland and to register interest to get involved visit apprenticeships.scot