Social Work Apprentice

Connected Local Government; England; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A public sector organization is offering a trainee Social Work Degree Apprenticeship in England, aimed at supporting children and families. Candidates will gain practical experience while pursuing a degree in social work over three years. Essential criteria include being 18+ and living in the UK for three years. The role promotes strong values of support, community engagement, and professional development. Flexibility and innovative approaches are encouraged in this dynamic environment.

Benefits

Culture of flexible working

Up to 33 days holiday

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Must be 18 or over to apply.
• Resident in the UK for at least 3 years.
• Commitment to complete the Social Work Degree Apprenticeship Standard.

Responsibilities

• Support children and families in line with Oxfordshire County Council values.
• Work alongside qualified workers to deliver statutory interventions.
• Participate in professional development during the apprenticeship.

Skills

Supportive teamwork

Flexible thinking

Community engagement

Education

Level 2 qualification (including English at grade C/4)

Job description

About Us

Together, we’re the moment makers and we’re focussed on making every day the best it can be for our residents. Whatever you do here, you’ll look around and say, “I make a difference”. Because we’re all creating lasting change to people’s lives in Oxfordshire.

Every day you’ll be challenged in a new way, supported by your team, in an organisation that is free thinking, flexible, and helps people achieve their ambitions. We’re not afraid to do things differently and our dynamic culture means this is a place where new ideas are embraced, and innovation thrives.

We believe that together, our differences make us stronger, and that diversity is the foundation for innovation. Here, you can create a unique career for yourself – while raising the bar for the future of children’s social care.

Are you in?

About the Role

Together, we’re shaping children’s social care for the future. Every day, our colleagues are helping to transform the lives of the residents of Oxfordshire.

In our Children, Education, & Families directorate, we’re committed to delivering lasting change, by helping the children, young people, and families of Oxfordshire to thrive. We know the importance of building relationships, empowering people, and building on strengths and this is reflected in our restorative, relational practice approach.

We’ve been consistently rated as “good” by Ofsted, but we are not content with that; we are ambitious and want to do even better! We’re a financially stable local authority which is committed to investing in Children, Education, and Families, to ensure that we have the resources we need to make a real difference to the families we work with – including successful operation of our transformational Family Safeguarding Approach.

We are offering a trainee role where successful candidates will complete a social work degree apprenticeship over three years. During this time, you will gain practical work experience while studying towards an honours degree and meeting the requirements of the apprenticeship programme. This includes:

• Working towards an honours degree in Social Work with Buckinghamshire New University in line with the Social Work Apprenticeship Degree Standard.
• Supporting children, young people, and their families to achieve positive outcomes and promote their welfare, in accordance with Oxfordshire County Council’s values, practice standards, and relevant legislation.

This is your opportunity to ensure that the child is at the heart of all interactions with children, families, other professionals, and decision-making processes. The post holder will work alongside qualified workers in the delivery of statutory interventions (e.g. Child in Need, Child Protection and Children We Care For) by supporting children and young people’s needs, including taking appropriate actions to address emerging safeguarding concerns.

About you

You’re free‑thinking and brave, and that sets you apart. You’ll be supportive and energised; you don’t accept the norm if it can be done better - finding answers through exploration and courage. Just as importantly, you will embody our values in everything you do.

Fundamentally, you’ll be passionate about delivering stand‑out public services, because we’re here to make every moment the best it can be for the residents of Oxfordshire.

Essential Criteria

• Must be 18 or over to apply
• Must have been a resident in the UK for at least 3 years
• Level 2 qualification, including English at grade C/4 or equivalent and be in possession of the original certificates
• A commitment to personal and professional development, including the ability and willingness to complete the Social Work Degree Apprenticeship Standard
• Must be able to drive or access a variety of locations, such as those across Oxfordshire
• Will not have started another social work degree course already and have earned credits.

Please refer to the job description for the full list of specific criteria to be assessed.

We encourage you to read the job description carefully and submit a detailed application.

Successful candidates will need to pass both our recruitment process and the selection process through Buckinghamshire New University. This will include an assessment day with experts by experience, interviews, a written task, a Disclosure and Barring Service check and an occupational health check.

Rewards and benefits

• Culture of flexible working
• Technology to support agile working where role permits
• Up to 33 day’s holiday p.a. plus bank holidays
• Option to ‘buy’ additional holiday
• Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support
• Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with an employer’s contribution of up to 19.9%
• Enhanced family friendly policies
• Local and national discounts for shopping and travel
• Great learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development.

Please note that we expect to receive a high volume of applications and will contact you with the outcome of your application as soon as we can after the closing date.

Curious to learn more?

Contact our friendly team for a confidential and informative chat!

Penny Fraser, Social Work Degree Apprenticeship Co‑ordinator [e-mail] 07760 167679

Join a free online information session about the course on 13 January 09:30 – 11:00 with the Social Work Degree Apprenticeship academic course leader and the Partnership Manager at Buckingham New University

Microsoft Teams Need help?

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 337 001 605 696 05

Passcode: 6PX2SC63

Further information regarding the university degree programme can also be found here: Social Worker Degree Apprenticeship (Level 6) | Buckinghamshire New University

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to complete an online written test on Thursday 5 February.

Following this candidates will be invited to an assessment centre in Oxford on Monday 16 March.

Panel interviews will be held in April (dates to be confirmed).

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi‑time, part time working, job sharing, nine‑day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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