Children's Social Work Degree Apprentice

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Job Reference ncc/TP/70/3476/SA

Apply for this job Number of Positions: 1 Contract Type: Fixed Term Salary: £29,542 - £32,046 Working Hours: 37 Location: Northumberland County Council, County Hall, Morpeth Closing Date: 04/11/2026 Job Category: Social Care - Children Service Region / Division: UK Region Directorate: Children, Young People and Education

Job introduction

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 develo