Associate Lecturers in Social Work, in the School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care (WELS_K123)

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 Social Work in the School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care at the Open University.

The positions are part-time being a minimum of 0.2 FTE to a maximum of 0.5 FTE and would involve teaching one, or possibly more, modules. In particular, there are immediate teaching needs for Module Tutors on K123 Foundations in Social Care and Social Work and K216 Applied Social Practice (both undergraduate modules), as well as Practice Tutors across both the BA Hons Social Work (Scotland) and the Post Graduate Diploma in Social Work.

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 £37,999 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.

The contract will start from 1^st December 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:

•  Recognised professional Social Work Qualification
• Current or Recent experience of working in Social Work settings in Scotland.
• A knowledge and understanding of social work in contemporary Scotland.

For Module Tutor role:

• The ability to grade assignments accurately and to provide constructive feedback to students via correspondence tuition.
• Experience of teaching online or an understanding of the pedagogical issues surrounding online teaching.
• Demonstrate ability to encourage students to engage with scholarship and independent study (including awareness of resources)

For Practice Tutor role:

• A recognised Social Work Teaching qualification eg. PDALP.
• Recent experience of supporting social work students in placement.
• Ability to undertake quality assurance of placements.

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, 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

Applicants for the Module Tutor role need to be prepared to undertake face to face and online teaching via Adobe Connect.

Applicants for the Practice Tutor role need to be willing to attend placement meetings face to face which may involve significant travel as we have students placed across the whole of Scotland.   

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-Recruitment on AL-Recruitment@open.ac.uk, quoting the reference WELS_K123.

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.

Early closing date notification 
We may close this job advert earlier than the published closing date where a satisfactory number of applications are received. We would therefore encourage early applications. 

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 WELS_K123.
 

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 :  27 September, 2024 - 12:00