Practice Tutor in School of Health, Wellbeing & Social Care - Belfast Unit: Associate Lecturers/Part time tutors Salary: £38,784 pro rata Location: Please quote reference: XKPS216 Fixed Term until 31st December 2026 - Belfast Closing Date: 16 December, 2025 - 12:00 Change your career, change lives The Open University is the UKs 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 a Practice Tutor in Social Work in Northern Ireland, in the School of School of Health, Wellbeing, and Social Care at the Open University. The position is part-time. In particular, there is an immediate teaching need on module XKPS216. The position involves face to face delivery and home-based working. It has no fixed core hours. It is a Fixed Term Contract until 31st December 2026. The annual salary and workload are fixed, but there are significant workload peaks and troughs. The practice 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 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. 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 £38,784 paid pro rata based on your FTE. Although most of the work occurs between January and August, the position is paid over the full calendar year. Person specification: The person specification for this position should be read in conjunction with the 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 social work or a relevant discipline. a professional social work qualification and practice experience (preferably recent). The Northern Ireland regulator requires teaching staff to have a Social Work qualification, be registered in Northern Ireland with NISCC or be eligible to register on part 1 of the register and have 3 years post qualifying experience in social work practice in Northern Ireland. 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. 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). 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 (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 Face-to-face 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, quoting the reference: XKPS216 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. 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.