The Social Work Team at the School of Health Professions, University of Plymouth, is looking for enthusiastic, creative social workers to join our progressive academic team. We want to hear from you whether you are an experienced practitioner ready to step into academia, an established social work scholar seeking a fresh challenge, or an aspiring social work educator with a passion for teaching. If you are an innovative thinker who isn't afraid to take risks and develop agile, groundbreaking approaches that elevate student learning, join us in shaping the next generation of exceptional social workers.
About the roles
This is an exciting opportunity to join a progressive and supportive team of social work educators and researchers. You will contribute to our pre-registration programmes, including the MA Social Work, BA (Hons) Social Work, and the BA (Hons) Social Work with Integrated Foundation Year. Furthermore, you will also contribute to our strong research portfolio, as well as support our practice engagement sessions.
As part of the wider School of Health Professions, you will also champion our strong ethos of interprofessional education and collaboration.
There is a total of 45.51 hours available across the team:
Position 1: This is a part-time position working 23.31 hours per week on a permanent basis.
Position 2: This is a part-time position working 22.20 hours per week on a fixed-term basis until 30 November 2028 to cover a period of absence, (subject to review at the end of this period).
You will:
- Be directly reporting to Social Work Academic Lead
- Deliver outstanding pre-registration teaching, ensuring an excellent student experience
- Contribute to all aspects of academic life, including student recruitment, placement support and personal tutoring
- Support our ambition to remain at the forefront of practice through research and/or professional development activity
For more information on School of Health Professions please visit our dedicated webpage at https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/schools
Due to the nature of the role, unfortunately we are unable to accommodate working from home.
For an informal discussion to find out more about the role then please contact Bartosz Zaniewski or Katy Else : by email at [email protected] or [email protected]
What we’re looking for
Applicants must be qualified social workers. Registration with Social Work England is not required at application but must be obtained within the first year of employment.
We need someone who brings energy, fresh perspectives, and a commitment to excellence.
We are looking for someone who is:
- Enthusiastic and Inspiring: Passionate about shaping the future social work workforce.
- Creative and Brave: Ready to design and deliver agile, groundbreaking teaching methods that captivate students.
- Inquisitive and Driven: Eager to immerse yourself in research that challenges the status quo and shapes the future of social work practice.
- Adaptable: Equipped to help students navigate the complexities of 21st-century social challenges.
- Collaborative: Eager to contribute to a tight-knit, supportive team and foster strong relationships with local and international partners.
For more information about the job and the person specification, please refer to the job description.
About us
At the University of Plymouth, we don't just teach social work - we live it. Our mission is to offer practical, meaningful learning experiences that prepare students to meet 21st-century social work challenges with confidence, skill, creativity, and compassion.
Our strength lies in our community. We combine world-class research and teaching excellence - incorporating immerse practice simulations with high-quality placements.
As a tight-knit, supportive team, we genuinely know and value every student. Through innovative teaching, deep community engagement, and strong local and international partnerships, across local authorities and the third sector, we prioritise genuine experience and meaningful connections. We shape graduates who are ready to work, ready to adapt, and ready to make a lasting impact.
Based within the Faculty of Health, the School of Health Professions offers a vibrant, inclusive environment for educators dedicated to health and social care.
Here, you will contribute to a thriving interdisciplinary research culture, collaborating across our Research Institutes to deliver truly impactful work. Within our team, research spans from deeply rooted collaborations with regional charities and local authorities to exciting international initiatives. Supported by a strong cohort of PhD students, you will have the resources and environment to rapidly advance your own research profile.
Our commitment to education is proven: the Faculty of Health holds a Gold rating in the UK’s Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF, 2023). Furthermore, the University of Plymouth actively champions equity through initiatives like the Race Equality Charter, alongside supportive workplace policies including flexible working and enhanced family leave.
The Faculty of Health holds four Silver Athena Swan awards, which recognise our commitment to supporting gender equality within higher education.
Application Process
Please apply online, demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the knowledge, qualifications, training, skills and experience elements of the job description in your supporting statement.
Following the closing date of the vacancy, you will be notified on the outcome of your application in due course.
Our Offer
Staff appointed within the Faculty of Health may be able to join the NHS pension scheme subject to eligibility criteria.
We have a wide range of staff benefits available to employees, depending on eligibility:
- Generous annual leave: 35* Days Annual Leave (pro rata if part-time) plus Bank Holidays* & Closure Days*
- Generous pension scheme
- Cycle to Work & Electric Car Scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Development opportunities
- Enhanced family leave
- Flexible working
- Retailer discounts
- On-site nursery
- Pro rata if part-time/fixed term contract
A relocation package may be available to the successful candidate, conditions apply.
A summary of our comprehensive benefits can be viewed here.
Additional Information
The University of Plymouth is building an inclusive and equitable university where everyone feels represented, supported, and empowered to thrive. Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion is guided by the Inclusive Institutions Framework, a strategic and externally validated approach that embeds these principles across the entire institution. To find out more please visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion webpages
