Shortlist
ReciteRecite

Social Work and Social Services: Access

Qualification Qualifications Explained
Access
Study Mode
Full Time, Part Time
Duration

1 Year - 3.5 Days p/w
Start date
Aug 2026
Campus
East End
Apply now

Course overview

Make a difference in people’s lives by starting your journey into social work and care.

The Access to Social Work and Social Services course is a full-time, one-year programme (21 hours per week) that forms part of the Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP). It’s designed for adults with life experience who are ready to return to education and work towards a career in social work, social care, or community support.

If you’ve been out of formal education for some time and have few or no qualifications, this course offers a supportive route to develop the skills, confidence and academic knowledge needed for higher-level study.

You’ll learn about social justice, care values, human development, and the wider influences that shape people’s lives. The course also encourages reflection, helping you build the empathy, communication and problem-solving skills that are vital in social services.

You can check your eligibility for SWAP by contacting  directly: www.scottishwideraccess.org

This course is ideal for:

  •  Adults who want to begin a new career in social work or social care.
  • Learners with personal or professional life experience who want to gain a formal qualification.
  • Those who wish to progress to HNC Social Services (Care) and ultimately to a BA Social Work degree.

ℹ️ Please note: This course is not open to recent school leavers (those in full-time education within the last three years). If unsure, you can contact SWAPWest directly via www.scottishwideraccess.org or email Katy Smythe at ksmythe@glasgowkelvin.ac.uk.

What you will learn

You’ll explore a wide range of subjects that build your understanding of social care, social justice, and the challenges people face in modern society.

Core topics include:

  • Care: Values and Principles – understand the core ethics and professional standards of care.
  • Care: Social Influences – explore how family, culture and environment affect wellbeing.
  • Human Development and Behaviour – study how people grow, change and respond to challenges.
  • Child Protection and Safeguarding – learn how to identify, report and respond to concerns.
  • Mental Health and Mental Illness – gain insight into emotional wellbeing and support strategies.
  • Health, Safety and Protection Issues in Care Settings – understand responsibilities in workplace and community care.
  • Counselling, Loss and Grief – develop communication and empathy skills for supporting others.
  • Criminology and Philosophy – broaden your understanding of justice, ethics and human behaviour.
  • Core Skills – Communication (Levels 5 & 6) and Numeracy to strengthen your academic readiness.

You’ll be assessed through essays, presentations and class-based exams, helping you prepare for the demands of higher education.

Two Social Work students speaking outdoors about their course at Glasgow Kelvin College.

Thinking About a Career in Social Work? 💚

Not sure where to start after time away from education?

Hear from Holly and Angela, current students on our SWAP Access to Social Work course, as they share their experience and what it’s like to return to learning.

Designed for adult learners, the course supports you to build confidence, develop skills and take the next step towards a career in social work.

A fresh start. A clear path forward.

View on YouTube

Entry requirements

✅ No formal qualifications are required.

✅ You must demonstrate good written and spoken communication skills.

✅ Applicants must have been out of formal education for a minimum of three years.

✅ Selection is based on your personal statement and interview. 

Your statement must include:

  • Why you wish to study Social Work.
  • Which branch of Social Work interests you and why.
  • An example of how you have managed a challenging situation, what you learned, and what you would do differently.
  • How can a care worker ensure their care is respectful and inclusive?
  • An example of how you have managed a challenging situation, what you learned, and what you would do differently.
  • The skills, qualities and attribute that make you suitable for a career in social work/social services

If you do not meet all entry criteria, you may be offered a place on an alternative Care-related course.

ℹ️ For this course, if English is not your first language

  • you need to have SQA ESOL Higher (or equivalent, click here to see equivalent qualifications)
  • If you do not have a formal ESOL qualification but your language skills meet this level, you should apply for your course and then contact our Admissions team to organise an internal language assessment  here at the College.

Career Opportunities

This qualification supports entry into roles such as:

🤝 Basic Grade Support Worker

🏡 Residential or Community Care Assistant

💬 Social Services or Support Worker

It’s also excellent preparation for further study leading to professional registration in social work.

Future prospects

Successful completion of this course can lead to progression to:

  • HNC Social Services (Care) at Glasgow Kelvin College
  • BA (Hons) Social Work at university

Many learners go on to work in the care, community, or youth support sectors, where they make a lasting difference to individuals and families.

Other Courses You Might Consider

Lecturer and student examining virtual reality equipment during a lesson at Glasgow Kelvin College.

Education and Social Services: Diploma/BA (Level 8)

Read more
Find out about our Health & Social Care Department

Read What Our Student Said

Video Transcript – Holly and Angela: Access Social Work & Social Services

Holly: I'm Holly, I'm doing the Access to Social Work course.

Angela: Hi I'm Angela, I'm doing the Swap Access course.

Holly: We're going to speak to you about the course and what we enjoy about it.

On this course we don't just focus solely on social work, we do lots of other things, loss and grief, we do social influences because that is a big part of social work as well, not just working with the clients.

Angela: Also things like criminal justice, contemporary families, health and mental health. This is all things that we probably need as we want to progress on.

Holly: I came back to education as I was a carer for my grandfather. When unfortunately he did pass away, I felt like I could use these skills to help other people and advocate for other people.

I was out of education for quite a long time and went on to have children. Taking that time out of education and then coming back, it was a bit daunting but it's so worthwhile.

Angela: I came back to education as a mature student, a really mature student.

Things that happened in my personal life, I wanted to come back and do the social work course so that I could help people in a similar situation to myself.

I'm now confident enough to give something back.

Holly: So my advice for anybody that's looking to come back into education, don't hesitate, just do it. If this is what you are wanting to do and you're wanting to progress, you're wanting to achieve the dreams and the goals that you want to achieve.

Just apply for the course. 

Angela: It doesn't matter what age you are. Come back to college, this has got to be one of the best things that I've ever done and it's really, really, really helped me.

The applications are still open for the course. Apply on the Glasgow Kelvin website and it will honestly change your life.

`