Apprentice Public Health Practitioner

Job Description

Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities!

We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.

The Role:

As part of our commitment to develop the public health workforce, Lewisham Council Public Health team is recruiting for one full time Public Health Practitioner Apprentice to join the team on a fixed term contract (36 months).

During this time the apprentices will be supported to work on a wide range of public health projects which will enable them to achieve their learning and development goals. They will gain a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health from the University of East London and be eligible to apply for UKPHR Public Health Practitioner registration.

About you:

We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic individual with a keen interest in public health to join the team.

You will have NVQ Level 3 or equivalent (e.g. 2 A levels) and a minimum of a GCSE Grade 4/C in Mathematics and English or equivalent (e.g. level 2).

Applicants should not hold a degree in public health or any other degree nor should they already be working towards public health professional registration (such as UKPHR Practitioner).

The successful candidate must be ready to start the role in mid-January 2026.

To be eligible for apprenticeship funding (which funds the university tuition fees) candidate must meet one of the criteria in the Apprenticeship funding rules 2025 to 2026

The apprentices will be required to attend the University of East London once a week.

What’s in it for you?

Excellent training and development opportunities, plus a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday allowance
• Local Government Pension scheme
• Flexible working and family friendly policies
• Season ticket and bicycle loans
• A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships
• Supportive staff networks

Location

The job is primarily based in Laurence House, but we operate a hybrid approach where you will be required to work both in the office and from home on a regular basis.

The recruitment process is anonymous and we don’t accept CV’s.

Applicant handbook - please read the guidance in this handbook when applying. It is essential that you complete the application fully and that your supporting statement covers how you meet each of the person specification criteria listed.

Additional details

As part of the application you will be asked to provide a written statement outlining how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the criteria set out in the person specification of the job description. Candidates will be scored on the extent to which they demonstrate each of the shortlisting criteria (marked S), and so are encouraged to explicitly refer to how they meet these criteria.

Further Information:

Public Health Practitioner (integrated degree) Apprenticeship - UK Public Health Register (ukphr.org)

This post requires a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) DBS check at Enhanced level.

For further information or an informal discussion regarding the apprenticeship, please contact kerry.lonergan@lewisham.gov.uk

Please click here to view the Job Description and Person Specification

Salary

£34,863.00- £35,892.00 per annum (Scale 5)

N.B: All appointments will be offered at the minimum spinal column point (SCP) for the grade of the role. The only exception to this will be when matching current salary (up to the maximum of the scale), which is subject to evidential proof.

Diversity

Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply

The Council has a dedicated employment support service, Lewisham Works, which offers Lewisham residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you want to join Lewisham Works, please email JobsAndSkills@lewisham.gov.uk and an advisor will be in touch with you.

The Council reserves the right to close adverts early if there is a large response.

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