Job Description

Unit: WELS
Salary: 38,784 pro rata
Location: Home-based
Please quote reference: WELS_ XKPW216 & XK355
Part-Time:
XKPW216 & XK355 - 0.176 FTE (approx.. 46 days), Permanent
Closing Date: 5 December 2025 at 12:00 noon
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 part time Practice Tutors in Social Work in Wales, in the School of School of Health, Wellbeing, and Social Care at the Open University.
In particular, there are immediate teaching needs on the following modules: XKPW216 and XK355 in Wales
The position is home-based. The practice tutor has a broad role in relation to the professional programme; they are vital to the success of the programme and its professional credibility. These practice 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. Some evening and weekend work will be required. The workload will vary to support student needs and marking and assessment schedules. The ability to teach through the medium of Welsh would be welcome but is not essential.
Contract start date: February 2025
Person specification:
The person specification for this position should be read in conjunction with the for an Associate Lecturer Practice 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 social work or a relevant discipline.
• a professional social work qualification and practice experience.
• familiarity with the literature, policies, research, and Welsh context in social work.
• 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.
• the ability to grade assignments accurately and to provide constructive feedback to students.
• 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).

It would be an advantage to have:

• a higher degree or Ph.D. (or equivalent).
• 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.
• the ability to teach through the medium of Welsh.

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 (i.e. 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 (face-to-face & online)
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 , quoting the reference WELS_WalesSocialWork.
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 :
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_ XKPW216 & XK355.
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.
38,784 pro rata

Skills Required