Social Work Practice Educator Training Programme - 20 credits per module
Currently viewing course to start in 2025/26 Entry.
The Social Work Practice Educator Training Programme has been developed as two standalone 20 credit modules for Stage 1 or Stage 2, which are taught at Level 7 (Master’s)....
- Level CPD
- Study mode Short Course
- Award N/A
- Start date November 2025
- Fees View course fees
- Subject
- Location City South
This course is:
Overview
The Social Work Practice Educator Training Programme has been developed as two standalone 20 credit modules for Stage 1 or Stage 2, which are taught at Level 7 (Master’s). The programme is designed to facilitate the refreshed Practice Education Professional Standards (PEPS) and Domains required at both Stages 1 and 2 by the British Association of Social Workers (BASW ) (2018) for Professional Social Work Education.
What's covered in this course?
The modules in this programme will equip you with the knowledge and skills to successfully support, enable and assess people who are undertaking professional social work education at qualifying and post-qualifying levels. The content takes account of the expectations employers have of you and student social workers, but also ensures you are appropriately supported and enabled to continue your professional development.
We recognise that you are already employed and that your employer requires you to perform certain tasks so we’ve designed the modules to accommodate you, your employer and the professional requirements at both stages 1 and 2. Alongside this, you will have structured teaching and extensive tutorial support from us, including access to support services within the University, an academic tutor and online course materials.
Why Choose Us?
- The Social Work Practice Educator Training Programme consists of two independent standalone 20 credit modules at Level 7 (Master’s).
- The course is facilitated by experienced social work academics and practice educators, drawing on contemporary knowledge and practice guidance.
- Birmingham City University has provided social work education for over 50 years.
- The course is designed to facilitate the Practice Education Professional Standards Domains and Core Values required at both Stages 1 and 2 (BASW, 2018), for Professional Social Work Education.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament.
Award:
Starting: Nov 2025
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Short Course
- 8 months
- £860 per 20 credit module
International students
Sorry, this course is not available to International students.
Entry requirements
You must be qualified and registered as a social worker, working in a social work or social care setting (statutory, voluntary, private or independent).
For Stage 1 you must have at least 2 years post-qualifying practice experience.
For Stage 2 you ordinarily need at least 3 years of post-qualifying practice experience.
You will need to provide one satisfactory work reference from your current employer prior to commencing the course.
Online application and enrolment process
- Complete the online application form above.
- When your submitted application form has been processed and approved, details of the module and enrolment details will be sent to the email address stated on your application form.
- You will be sent an email asking you to complete your online pre-enrolment. This must be completed before you enrol.
- If you employer is funding this course they will need to review and approve this before you are offered a place on the course, please speak to your employer if funding has not been confirmed.
Please submit your application as early as possible. We aim to give you a decision within two weeks of receiving your application. Please note that NHS Trust application deadlines may differ from our own and you should check with your NHS Trust training/education contact for confirmation of their deadlines.
Please ensure that you include full details of your qualifications and relevant work experience as part of your application.
Course in Depth
Level 7
This module has been developed to meet the Practice Educator Professional Standards (PEPS) as outlined by British Association for Social Workers (BASW, 2018). The Social Work Practice Education Training Programme is designed to enhance the quality and training of candidates, in their development to become a qualified Practice Educators for Stage 1. Upon successful completion of Stage 1, candidates will be able to independently supervise social work learners up to and including first practice placement.
The first module will focus on introducing learning and teaching theories, consider how to develop a practice curriculum and provide effective learning opportunities for learners. Candidates will explore how to conduct fair assessments of practice, evidence learning and deal with concerns as arising.
As part of their learning candidates will work with a designated Practice Educator to develop and reflect on their own skills, thus engaging in their own continuous development.
Stage 2 of the Practice Education training programme is open to those who have successfully completed Stage 1. It consolidates learning from Stage 1 and offers a deeper engagement and understanding of learning theories, the development and assessment of a social work learner at an advanced level. Candidates will work with a designated practice educator for their own development and assessment, therefore continuing their own development and reflection. On successful completion of stage 2, candidates will be able to supervise and assess social work learners at both pre and post qualifying level.
The module is aligned to the Practice Educators Professional Standards by British Association for Social Workers (BASW, 2018) and its relevant domains, as well as the Value Statements for Practice Education.
Course structure
The Social Work Practice Educator Training programme has been developed in consultation with practice partner agencies to maximise successful completion rates of the programme and to ensure value for money at a time of budgetary constraints.
The content is mapped against the Practice Educator Professional Standards (PEPS) domains and the Values Statements.
The programme involves 6 days of structured teaching (including 1 day induction) delivered onsite at the University, and several supportive online check-ins over the course of the academic year (September to June). Face-to-face teaching is further supported through online materials on the Moodle platform. You complete the course alongside supervising a learner on placement according to their stage of learning.
The programme is supported by a Social Work Practice Education Panel comprised of experienced academics and practice stakeholders, which enhances the quality assurance and approval of candidates through each of the relevant stages.
On completion of the Social Work Practice Educator Training programme, you will be equipped to undertake the relevant specific duties of teaching, enabling, supervising and assessing trainee social workers on pre-qualifying courses and/or staff completing their Assessed Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) in their respective learning environment.
Employability
The Social Work Practice Educator Training programme has been developed in consultation with practice partner agencies to ensure successful completion rates of the programme, and to recognise that employers are seeking high standards in the climate of limited resources.
On successful completion of Stage 1 Practice Educator Training programme, you will be able to supervise, teach and assess trainee social workers on pre-qualifying courses up to but not including the final assessment prior to qualification. At this stage you may contribute to the last placement but not take full responsibility for assessment or act as the practice educator on a day-to-day basis.
On successful completion of Stage 2 of the Practice Educator Training programme you will be able to supervise, teach and assess trainee social worker on pre-qualifying courses up to and including the last placement as well as staff completion of their AYSE. In effect, you will have the authority and capability to recommend, based on appropriate evidence, that social work students are fit to practise at the point of qualification.
Facilities & Staff
Our facilities
Social Work and Community Studies is based at our City South campus in leafy Edgbaston.
We’ve spent £41million expanding the education facilities at City South. These facilities offer hands-on practical experience, replicating the spaces you will come across in professional practice. Alongside classrooms and lecture theatres, we also have a range of specialist teaching and learning spaces for specific subjects including science, design and technology, drama and physical education.
As well as subject-specific rooms, our facilities include the Primary Innovation Lab, which houses £24,000 worth of LEGO. This room is a special resource for our education students, offering an innovative and creative way to approach subjects across the curriculum – from computing to English, mathematics to art. The lab responds to research that children and young people learn best from practical experience.
Our Social Work students have access to a home environment room and mock hospital wards which offer an opportunity to gain experience of working with service users in different situations.
Computer facilities
The Seacole building has two open-access IT Suites which offer PCs, printers, photocopiers and scanners. There is also an IT Helpdesk for quick and easy help with your computing or internet issues.
Our PCs utilise the latest Intel i5 core technology, all with:
- Fast (unrestricted) internet connectivity
- Ability to save files to USB, DVD & CD
- Microsoft Office software
- Research and statistical software
- Storage space which can be accessed from any PC across the University and from home
Our PCs are also designed to support students who may have difficulties with reading and writing, featuring specialised software with zooming/magnification and screen reading capabilities, which may also be customised for individual student needs.
In addition to desktop PCs, we also offer a laptop loan facility, allowing students to borrow a laptop for up to six hours while on campus.
Our staff
Jessica Wagner
Senior Lecturer in Social Work
After qualifying from the University of Wales in 2003, Jessica has spent the majority of her professional experience within statutory children’s services, where she held posts both as a practitioner and manager in safeguarding teams. This allowed her to gain experience of working in child protection and child in need services and through the...
More about JessicaEnquiries
For any queries, please contact our Admissions team: admissions@bcu.ac.uk
Or phone +44 (0)121 331 6295