Social Work interviews - Peterborough

Your Social Work interview will take place in person at our ARU Peterborough campus. Below, you'll find some helpful information about preparing for your interview.

Why do you invite applicants to interview?

Social work is a nationally regulated profession which, in the UK, is overseen and governed by Social Work England (SWE). SWE sets clear parameters within its Education and Training Standards about what should be expected of individuals who wish to study for a social work degree qualification.

Ensuring that you are a good fit for the demanding role of a social worker is an important part of the interview process, and one of ways in which we can help your journey towards becoming a qualified practitioner.

What will we ask you?

The interview day for the social work courses at ARU Peterborough is designed to assess key skills necessary for success on the degree and consists of three separate stages.

1. Written element

You will complete a timed written task which aims to assess:

• your knowledge of the social work role
• your command of the English language
• your ability to use Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
• your confidence to engage in academic writing.

In preparation for this task, you should engage in independent research about the function of the social work profession, the different ways in which the social work profession is perceived in society, and how the profession has been impacted by government policies of austerity.

Useful resources for research:

• Social Work England
• British Association of Social Workers
• Social Care Institute for Excellence
• Community Care Inform Adults
• Community Care Inform Children

2. Group discussion

This element of the interview has been aligned to the Professional Capabilities Framework (BASW, 2023) for the point of entry to training.

In advance of the interview, you are required to engage in research around a single specific demographic group of your choosing and focus your research on how this group may be subject to oppression and/or discrimination at different levels of society.

Different demographic groups that you might want to focus your research on include (but you may choose any different group that has importance to you):

• racial/ethnic minority groups
• age demographic groups
• groups within the gender spectrum
• LGBTQIA+ groups
• neurodiverse groups
• intellectual and/or physical disability
• groups displaced by global conflict or threats to life and property.

You are encouraged to focus your research on a group that has resonance to you, from your own lived experience, whether in the UK or any other country.

Tasks

1. You’ll present your research via a two-minute opening statement to the group. Be mindful of this time limit when considering the depth of your research. You may bring notes to support your presentation.
2. After all participants have completed their opening statements, you will be instructed on how to engage in a group discussion. This discussion will focus on how you feel social workers can challenge these experiences of discrimination and oppression through the way they conduct their direct work with individuals from these groups.
3. Individual interview.

The final stage of the interview process is an individual interview, where you will have the opportunity to help us get to know you and why you want to study Social Work at ARU Peterborough.

We want to understand about the core values, skills and personal characteristics that you feel will support your success on a Social Work degree and how they’ll help you to work with others. Please think about specific examples of experiences that evidence these skills and competencies.

It would also be helpful to hear about relevant experiences you have had, and how these experiences have helped shape your desire to study social work.

The individual interview questions are designed to capture an understanding of you as an individual, rather than a test of knowledge. However the questions you will be asked have been mapped specifically to the SWE Professional Standards, so this can be used as a reference point in your preparation.

What we want to see

Across the three stages of your interview, we hope to see clear evidence of the points below, which all relate to key areas of social work:

• a clear demonstration of social work values and ethics
• evidence of necessary skills for social work
• a passion for social justice
• good emotional intelligence and awareness
• an entry-level understanding of the social work role and function in society
• the recognition of the importance of service user perspectives and listening to their voice
• an understanding of some of the challenges social workers experience
• an understanding of how changes to law and policy impact the social work profession.

What happens next?

You’ll be notified via UCAS of the results of your interview within three working days.

What next if I am offered a place?

• Accept your offer via UCAS Hub.
• Arrange your accommodation.
• Complete your DBS and Occupational Health information.
• Notify the Admissions team of any changes to your circumstances.

What next if I am unsuccessful at interview?

• Please ask for written feedback and then consider the areas which need improvement to prepare for future interviews.
• You will not be able to reapply for the same course in the same academic cycle, however we are happy to accept applications for the next academic year.
• You may be offered a place on another course, in which case, follow the instructions above.

Above all, you need to be certain that this is the profession you want to join. Consider visiting us at an Open Day, if you haven't already. Then commit yourself to learning as much as you can around knowledge, skills and values in relation to social work before your next interview day.

Practical information

Location and timing

All interviews for our social work programmes in Peterborough will take place on the university campus. You are expected to arrive at 8.45am in time for a 9am start. If you are running late, please ensure you make the university aware in good time. Social work is a professionally regulated profession and as such, it is important to embody this from the beginning of your journey.

When you arrive on campus, you should report to the main reception of University House to sign in as a visitor to campus. You will be met by the admissions lead at campus reception, and once you have signed in, taken to a classroom where you will wait for the interview day to begin.

Please allow a full day, 9am-5pm.

ARU Peterborough address:

ARU Peterborough
University House
Bishop's Road
Peterborough PE1 5BW

Get more information about travelling to ARU Peterborough.

Lunch

Lunch will not be provided, but you will have a lunch break during the day. There are catering options for all dietary requirements available on campus at the café. We are also a short walk away from the city centre where there are ample lunch options should you prefer this.

What to wear

Smart casual is a good rule of thumb that the majority choose to wear, but as it is a long day, we do also encourage you to dress in clothes that feel comfortable.