Associate Lecturers in the School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care – Social Work Law (K271)

Interview Date: TBC

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 Associate Lecturers in the area of [Social Work Law-K271], in the school of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care at the Open University.

The position is part-time 0.2 FTE and would involve teaching one or more modules with the potential to increase workload to full time 1.0 over time. In particular, there are immediate teaching needs on [Social Work Law -K271].

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, mainly linked to providing marking and assessment feedback. This is likely to include exam and end of module marking tasks. Other tasks will be required such as focused student support (individual and forum), such as peer mentoring and working with the module team on assessment activities and quality improvement. 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 £37,099 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.

Please state the date the contract will start from: 5^th October 2024

Person specification:

The person specification for this position should be read in conjunction with the generic person specification for an Associate Lecturer 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 (including law)
• A professional social work qualification or considerable experience in a related field of work (e.g. you might be a lawyer with extensive up to date knowledge and experience of working in a social welfare field)
• Familiarity with the law, policies, and research in relation to the application of social work practice current knowledge of social work services.
• Appreciation of the different legal frameworks that operate across the nations of the UK.
• Ability to teach in the online environment (e.g. online rooms)
• Experience of teaching online or an understanding of the pedagogical issues surrounding online teaching.
• The ability to grade assignments accurately and to provide constructive feedback to students.
• Demonstrate ability to encourage students to engage with scholarship and independent study (including awareness of resources)

It would be an advantage to have:

• A higher degree or Ph.D. (or equivalent)
• Experience of teaching and assessment via an online environment/VLE.
• 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.
• Experience of collaborative/team-based teaching.

Additional information (only occasionally required)

• Students studying K271 will either be registered on The Open University’s qualifying social work degree programme, or they will be ‘open’ students electing to study this subject independently.
• Students will choose a study route through the module depending on their preferred UK nation. The study materials are then made visible accordingly. This allows for coherent student access, and for the teaching of relevant UK nation specific law and practice in association with more general and UK-wide applications of the law and legal principles.
• The default tuition method for K271 will be online, and in accordance with The Open University’s Group Tuition Policy. Tuition will include written feedback on assessed work, and group tutorial sessions in Online Rooms. Face to face tutorials may be arranged depending on local circumstances and preferences, but these will be the exception rather than the rule, to avoid complex and inconvenient travel arrangements for students and tutors.
• You will be required to access K271 online tutor group forum(s) at least twice a week to check for new messages and respond to student queries as appropriate.
• You will be expected to engage in the K271 tutors’ online forum which has been set up to promote the sharing of information, ideas, and good practice.
• You will be required to work in close collaboration with other teaching colleagues. This will involve a shared approach to ongoing student and peer support through collaborative teaching in the context of combining individual students across tutor groups.

This module requires an Associate Lecturer to hold nation-specific knowledge associated with policy, practice or legislation and so appointments will be aligned to a specific geographical location.

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, Associate Lecturers 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
Online weekdays, evenings and weekend delivery.

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-Recruitment@open.ac.uk, quoting the reference number WELS_K317.

AL Application Form
Generic Person Specification
Terms and Conditions

 

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-Recruitment@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_K271.
 

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 in our OU community can reach their potential.  We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength.  We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.

 

 

 

 

Posting Date :  9 September, 2024 - 12:00