Change your career, change lives 

The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education. 

The role 

We are looking to recruit several Programme Tutors in the area of Social Work, in the School of School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care at the Open University. 

The position is part-time (0.176 FTE, 6 teaching hours per week) and would involve teaching one or more modules. In particular, there are immediate teaching needs on the following modules: XKPW216 and XKPW315 in Wales. 

The position is home-based and has no fixed core hours. It is permanent, with a probation period of two years. The annual salary and workload are fixed, but there are significant workload peaks and troughs. The programme tutor has a broader role in relation to the professional programme; they are vital to the success of the programme and its professional credibility. These programme tutors have a particular responsibility for practice issues, for facilitating practice learning meetings in a student's practice learning opportunity and for monitoring the overall progress of their student group, particularly progress on practice learning opportunities. Duties entail a mix of individual student support and group work as well as contact with sponsoring employers. Overall, the role is a challenging one and could be described as combining aspects of an associate lecturer, a mentor and a coordinator. Experience has proved this role cannot be undertaken by someone in full-time employment elsewhere due to the concentrated and occasionally unpredictable pattern of the work. Some evening and weekend work will be required. The appropriate level of FTE will be discussed at interview, and there is the possibility of increasing the FTE later. The starting full-time salary is £35,333 paid pro rata based on your FTE. Although most of the teaching occurs between October and June, the position is paid over the full calendar year. 

Contract start date: 1st February 2023 

Person specification: 

The person specification for this position should be read in conjunction with the generic person specification for a Programme Tutor at The Open University. As well as meeting all the requirements set out in the generic person specification, you should have:   

• a first degree in the social sciences or a relevant discipline. 
• a professional social work qualification and practice experience (preferably recent) 
• experience of delivering social work education as a practice teacher, practice assessor or associate lecturer familiarity with the literature, policies and research in social work   
• and a familiarity with current practice regarding the delivery of personal social services   
• sensitivity to the needs of adult learners, and an understanding of how adults learn 
• evidence of ability to negotiate, liaise and problem-solve with a range of agency contacts 
• experience in the use of IT or a willingness to train and experiment with IT 

It would be an advantage to have: 

• A higher degree or Ph.D. (or equivalent)  
• Experience of teaching and assessment via an online environment.  
• Evidence of having taken the initiative to deliver better teaching and learning or to take advantage of new technology in teaching. 
• Teaching qualification in relevant subject or HEA accreditation. 

What you get in return 

We have a strong commitment to providing training and development in and beyond your current role. To ensure they remain up to date with developments in their academic field, Programme Tutors are allocated 6 days (pro-rata) per annum for AL-led (ie. self-directed) Academic Currency and 1 day, plus 5 days pro rata, per annum for Agreed Academic Currency and Professional Development.  

Benefits include a supportive and friendly working environment, 27 days holiday per annum (pro rata) with variable (pro rata) Bank holidays and an attractive pensions proposition. 

Tuition Delivery 
mixed 

How to apply 

An application form and job-related information are available from the links located below. Any queries regarding the application process please contact AL-Applications on AL-Applications@open.ac.uk, quoting the reference number: WELS_XKPW216 

Closing Date :  07 December 2022 - 12 Noon

All candidates will be asked to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK at interview. 

The University is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role as per the requirement laid out the UK Visas and Immigration regarding Right to Work in the UK. 

To work with us you will need access to the internet. 

Successful applicants will be required to undertake a DBS check or equivalent for their nation of residency.  

Email : al-applications@open.ac.uk  

An application form and job related information are available from the links located below. Hard copies and access details for disabled applicants are available from the Recruitment Co-ordinator by email (on the link above), quoting the reference number: WELS_XKPW216 
 

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all our staff can reach their potential and attract diverse candidates.  We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength