Children's Social Work Degree Apprentice

Northumberland County Council Jobs; Morpeth; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Northumberland Children’s Services invites applications for a 3-year fixed-term Social Work Apprenticeship. You will be employed as a Social Work Apprentice while studying towards a BA (Hons) Social Work, gaining essential practical experience across Northumberland’s Children’s Social Work teams.

On successful completion, you’ll apply for a vacant Social Worker role within our academy, with continued professional development and a clear career path from apprentice to qualified social worker.

Responsibilities

• 3-year fixed-term apprenticeship combining academic learning with practical experience in Children's Social Work.
• Complete placements: Year 2 includes a 70-day placement; Year 3 includes a 100-day placement.
• Programme delivery with 80% work-based learning and 20% off-the-job learning.

Education

BA (Hons) Social Work degree

Job description

Northumberland Children’s Social Work Apprenticeship

This opportunity is about more than gaining a qualification. It's a chance to build a rewarding career in children's social work while earning a salary, developing professional skills, and making a real difference to the lives of children, young people and families across Northumberland.

Start your journey to becoming a qualified Social Worker

Northumberland Children's Services has a strong track record of investing in its workforce and supporting aspiring social workers to achieve professional qualifications through apprenticeship pathways. Since 2019, we have successfully supported colleagues to qualify through the BA Social Work Apprenticeship programme, helping them develop rewarding, long-term careers within the organisation.

Building on the success of this programme, we are delighted to offer this opportunity to a wider pool of applicants. Applications are welcome from both internal and external candidates.

What is the Social Work Apprenticeship?

This is a 3-year fixed-term apprenticeship programme that combines academic learning with practical, real-world experience in children's social work. You will be employed as a Social Work Apprentice within one of Northumberland's Children's Social Work teams, developing the knowledge, skills and experience required to become a qualified social worker.

On successful completion of the apprenticeship and attainment of the BA (Hons) Social Work degree, you will be expected to apply for and progress into a vacant Social Worker position within our Children’s Social Work Academy, where you will undertake your Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE).

Following successful completion of the ASYE, you will progress into an experienced Social Worker role within Northumberland Children's Services, providing a clear pathway into a professional social work career.

Pay and Progression

Social Work Apprentice (Band 5): currently £29,542 - £32,046 per annum

Social Worker (Band 8): currently £41,177 - £45,529 per annum (subject to vacancies and successful completion of the apprenticeship)

Continuous Service

For internal applicants, continuous service will transfer into the apprenticeship role.

If you are joining us from an organisation covered by the Redundancy Payments Modification Order (RPMO), your continuous service may also be recognised, subject to there being no break in service.

Please note interviews will commence 11th November 2026.

Degree Programme

The apprenticeship is delivered in partnership with Northumbria University and leads to a BA (Hons) Social Work degree and professional social work qualification. Successful completion will enable you to apply for Social Work England registration.

How will my time be spent?

Throughout the programme, you will combine employment and study through a structured apprenticeship model:

80% work-based learning (approximately four days per week) within a Children's Social Work setting.

20% off-the-job learning (approximately one day per week), consisting of taught university sessions and independent study.

Programme Structure

• Year 1: University induction beginning 6 January 2027. Development of core social work knowledge, values and skills. A 20-day Skills in Practice placement (October/November 2027) within a voluntary sector organisation, designed to broaden your experience, challenge your thinking and enhance your professional development.
• Year 2: Continued academic study alongside practical experience. A 70-day social work placement within Northumberland Children's Services.
• Year 3: Advanced learning and professional development. A 100-day placement within a Children’s Safeguarding setting in Northumberland, providing valuable experience of statutory social work practice.

Why Choose Northumberland?

At Northumberland Children's Services, you will be part of a supportive learning culture that is committed to developing future social workers.

• A salaried route into a professional qualification.
• Dedicated support from experienced practitioners and managers.
• Opportunities to apply learning directly to practice.
• A clear career pathway from apprentice to qualified social worker.
• The chance to make a meaningful difference to the lives of children, young people and families across Northumberland.

If you are passionate about helping others, committed to learning, and ready to begin an exciting professional journey, we would love to hear from you.

What you need to know

For guidance on completing your application and for information about our Equality and Diversity principles, please see the attached guidance notes here. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria.

If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format, please see the alternative methods below. This information will be treated as confidential and will only be used to check that you meet the essential requirements of the post.

For further information about working for NCC, please visit our website here.

Queries [e-mail].

Additionally, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early or adjust the shortlisting criteria, including the pass mark for interview selection, to ensure a fair and manageable recruitment process.

Please ensure you meet the entry requirementsto apply for this post. Entry requirements:A minimum of 112UCASpoints(or equivalent*) ORA minimum of 80 UCASpoints(orequivalent)+evidence of exceptional practice experience**Inaddition all applicantsrequirebefore enrolment; EnglishGrade C (or equivalent)

Here is a link for anyone who needs to find further information about replacement certificates: Get a replacement exam certificate: Who to contact - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Alternative application format: British Sign Language: northumberlandcc-cs.signvideo.net

For those with speech difficulties or hearing loss: Text relay service dial 018001 01670 623930