Children's Social Work Degree Apprentice

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. You will receive:

• 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.

Take the first step towards a career in social work and join us in shaping better outcomes for Northumberland's children and families.

Please ensure you meet the entry requirements to apply for this post. Entry requirements:

• A minimum of 112 UCAS points (or equivalent*)

OR

• A minimum of 80 UCAS points (or equivalent) +evidence of exceptional practice experience**

In addition all applicants require before enrolment; English Grade C (or equivalent)

*A list of qualifications within the UCAS tariff can be found at https://www.ucas.com/file/603496/download?token=cBYDgpzT

There is also a tariff calculator tool on the UCAS website:
https://www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator

Queries
cathrine.stanton@northumbria.ac.uk

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)

**An opportunity to evidence exceptional practice will be provided/assessed during the application and may be discussed at interview.

The interview panel is comprised of Northumbria University and Northumberland Employer representatives. Date of interview 11th November 2026.

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.

Although we advertise on North East Jobs, and other websites, your application process will be directed to our Tribepad system. Please note that all communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you have registered on Tribepad, including your invite to interview if you are shortlisted. Please check your emails regularly, including Spam/Junk, after the closing dates for notifications.

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. We encourage early applications.

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