Unit: Associate Lecturers/Part time tutors
Salary: £38,784 pro rata
Location: Belfast
Please quote reference: XKPS216
Fixed Term until 31st December 2026 - Belfast
Closing Date: 16 December, 2025 - 12:00
Please ensure you read the "How to apply" section for details on how to submit an application for this role, before clicking apply.
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
School of Health, Wellbeing, and Social Care | The Open University
Are you passionate about shaping the next generation of social workers? We’re looking for a dedicated Practice Tutor in Social Work to join our team in Northern Ireland.
* Part-time, Fixed Term until 31 December 2026
* Flexible working: A mix of face-to-face teaching and home-based work
* No fixed core hours – ideal for those who value autonomy
* Starting salary: £38,784 (pro rata based on FTE)
You’ll play a vital role in supporting students on our professional social work programme, ensuring its success and credibility. Your responsibilities will include:
* Facilitating practice learning meetings in students’ placements
* Monitoring student progress and supporting their learning journey
* Working closely with sponsoring employers
* Delivering a mix of individual support and group sessions
This is a dynamic role that combines elements of teaching, mentoring, and coordination. It’s challenging, rewarding, and essential to the future of social work education.
Important to know:
* Some evening and weekend work is required
* Due to workload peaks and unpredictability, this role is not suitable for someone in full-time employment elsewhere
* Most work happens between January and August, but salary is paid across the year
* FTE will be discussed at interview, with potential to increase later
Immediate need: Teaching on module XKPS216h 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 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 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 AL-Applications@open.ac.uk, quoting the reference: XKPS216
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-applications@open.ac.uk
Hard copies of Job Descriptions and Applications forms and access details for disabled applicants are available from the Recruitment Co-ordinator by email (on the link above), quoting the reference number: XKPS216
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.