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Learn At Your Own Pace

Study wherever and whenever you want. You’ll have access to your course for two years so you can fit your learning around your other commitments.

Tutor Support Included

Learning remotely doesn’t mean you’re on your own! You’ll be able to message your tutor through our industry-leading learning platform.

Flexible Payment Options

Enrol today from £9.99 deposit & spread the cost over 24 months

Learn At Your Own Pace

Study wherever and whenever you want. You’ll have access to your course for one year so you can fit your learning around your other commitments.

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Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Work)

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OUR PASS RATE
Access to Higher Education Diplomas (National Average 78.4%)
88%
  • SALE Savings End Midnight Sunday 31st March
  • SALE Savings End Midnight Sunday 31st March
RECOMMENDED OPTION
Add GCSE English Language and Maths - save 5% buying as a bundle

Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Work)

This Course at a Glance

  • The first step to becoming a Social Worker
  • Start a career that helps other people
  • Completion possible within a year
  • Study a degree without A Levels
  • Affordable payment options
  • Learn at home
  • No exams

About your Diploma

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

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

Unlock Degree Level Learning

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

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

What You Will Learn

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

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

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

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

Getting Started

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

Learn When it Suits You

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

Stay On Target for Success

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

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

Modules

Unit 1: Writing and Studying Academic Texts

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 2: Planning and Writing an Assignment

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 3: Resilience, Stress and Managing Emotions

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 4: Exploring an Introduction to Psychological Research and Approaches

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 5: Exploring Theories of Crime and Deviancy

On completion of this unit you will:

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

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

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 7: Models, Research and Application of Cognitive Psychology

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 8: Family Structure and Changes

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 9: Modern Social Policy in Context

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 10: Morality and Ethical Challenges in Social Work Practice

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 11: Concepts of Health and ill Health

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 12: Responding to Prejudice and Discrimination

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 13: Introduction to Abnormality and Psychological Disorders

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 14: Defining, Measuring and Explaining Poverty

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 15: Social Work Interventions and Assessments

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 16: Studying the Brain and Nervous System

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 17: Social Care Provisions

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 18: Biological and Psychological Approaches to Stress

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 19: Promotion of Equal Opportunities, Inclusiveness and Diversity

On completion of this unit you will:

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

 

Entry Requirements

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

University Entry Criteria

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

Minimum age restriction

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

Average completion timeframe

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

Assessment requirements

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

Exams required

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

Is Membership Required?

 

No membership is required to enrol on this course.

Additional requirements

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

Certification Timeframe

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

Course Fees

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

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

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

Credits

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

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

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

Skills & Education Group Access

Skills & Education Group Access logo

On successful completion of the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Work), (QAA ref = 40011963), you will receive a Skills & Education Group Access, QAA recognised, Access to Higher Education Diploma at Level 3. As part of your programme, you will also receive help as well as guidance on your university application and the research you need to do to get the most out of your diploma.

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

Career

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

What You Could Specialise In

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

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

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

The Social Work Jobs on Offer

Upon graduating, you could become a:

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

Further Qualifications and Prospects

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

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

Postgraduate Study

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

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

No. You need to complete a social work degree to qualify as a Social Worker
Yes! Access to HE Diplomas are designed to help learners without A Levels get into university. As such, most universities welcome this qualification in place of A Levels but you must check with your chosen university before enrolling.
Yes. You don’t need GCSEs or any other qualification to enrol on your Access to HE Diploma. You just need them by the time you apply to university. If you don’t have a Maths and English GCSE, a great way to meet this requirement quickly is by studying Functional Skills Level 2 courses instead. These courses provide GCSE grade equivalents and can be completed in a matter of weeks.
Yes, you can! As part of your study package, we provide help and guidance with your university application, so you can put your best foot forward when the time comes. We also give you tips on how to get the most out of your Access to HE Diploma, so you have the highest chance of success in your studies.
You get two years to complete the Access to HE Diploma (Social Work), however, the fact there are no classes or timetables with our online courses means you can study at your pace. If you have the time to commit to your learning, you can complete the course much sooner. The shortest completion timeframe is six months, the majority of our learners tend to have it finished between 9-12 months.
  • SALE Savings End Midnight Sunday 31st March
  • SALE Savings End Midnight Sunday 31st March
RECOMMENDED OPTION
Add GCSE English Language and Maths - save 5% buying as a bundle

Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Work)

This Course at a Glance

  • The first step to becoming a Social Worker
  • Start a career that helps other people
  • Completion possible within a year
  • Study a degree without A Levels
  • Affordable payment options
  • Learn at home
  • No exams

About your Diploma

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

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

Unlock Degree Level Learning

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

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

What You Will Learn

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

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

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

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

Getting Started

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

Learn When it Suits You

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

Stay On Target for Success

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

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

Modules

Unit 1: Writing and Studying Academic Texts

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 2: Planning and Writing an Assignment

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 3: Resilience, Stress and Managing Emotions

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 4: Exploring an Introduction to Psychological Research and Approaches

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 5: Exploring Theories of Crime and Deviancy

On completion of this unit you will:

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

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

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 7: Models, Research and Application of Cognitive Psychology

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 8: Family Structure and Changes

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 9: Modern Social Policy in Context

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 10: Morality and Ethical Challenges in Social Work Practice

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 11: Concepts of Health and ill Health

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 12: Responding to Prejudice and Discrimination

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 13: Introduction to Abnormality and Psychological Disorders

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 14: Defining, Measuring and Explaining Poverty

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 15: Social Work Interventions and Assessments

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 16: Studying the Brain and Nervous System

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 17: Social Care Provisions

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 18: Biological and Psychological Approaches to Stress

On completion of this unit you will:

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

Unit 19: Promotion of Equal Opportunities, Inclusiveness and Diversity

On completion of this unit you will:

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

 

Entry Requirements

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

University Entry Criteria

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

Minimum age restriction

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

Average completion timeframe

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

Assessment requirements

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

Exams required

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

Is Membership Required?

 

No membership is required to enrol on this course.

Additional requirements

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

Certification Timeframe

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

Course Fees

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

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

Excellent Marking

Assessment

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

Credits

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

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

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

Qualifications

Skills & Education Group Access

Skills & Education Group Access logo

On successful completion of the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Work), (QAA ref = 40011963), you will receive a Skills & Education Group Access, QAA recognised, Access to Higher Education Diploma at Level 3. As part of your programme, you will also receive help as well as guidance on your university application and the research you need to do to get the most out of your diploma.

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

Career

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

What You Could Specialise In

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

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

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

The Social Work Jobs on Offer

Upon graduating, you could become a:

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

Further Qualifications and Prospects

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

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

Postgraduate Study

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

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

No. You need to complete a social work degree to qualify as a Social Worker
Yes! Access to HE Diplomas are designed to help learners without A Levels get into university. As such, most universities welcome this qualification in place of A Levels but you must check with your chosen university before enrolling.
Yes. You don’t need GCSEs or any other qualification to enrol on your Access to HE Diploma. You just need them by the time you apply to university. If you don’t have a Maths and English GCSE, a great way to meet this requirement quickly is by studying Functional Skills Level 2 courses instead. These courses provide GCSE grade equivalents and can be completed in a matter of weeks.
Yes, you can! As part of your study package, we provide help and guidance with your university application, so you can put your best foot forward when the time comes. We also give you tips on how to get the most out of your Access to HE Diploma, so you have the highest chance of success in your studies.
You get two years to complete the Access to HE Diploma (Social Work), however, the fact there are no classes or timetables with our online courses means you can study at your pace. If you have the time to commit to your learning, you can complete the course much sooner. The shortest completion timeframe is six months, the majority of our learners tend to have it finished between 9-12 months.
OUR PASS RATE
Access to Higher Education Diplomas
88%
(National Average 78.4%)
Accreditation by Skills & Education Group Access
100% online
learning
19 units
600 notional
learning hours

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