Routes into social work

The Social Work Apprenticeship enables you to study for a fully funded BA (Hons) or Masters in social work with our partner higher education provider, University of East Anglia (UEA), while working full-time for Norfolk County Council and receiving a salary.

Through the apprenticeship programme you will gain experience of working in a range of social work services within the local authority, including time in both Adult Social Services and Children's Services. You will also regularly attend teaching sessions, workshops, seminars and tutorials at UEA to develop your skills and knowledge. You will be supported throughout the programme by mentors in the workplace.

Upon successfully completing the apprenticeship, you will receive a BA (Hons) or MA in Social Work. We will give you information on social work job openings at NCC and support you to apply.

Pay and conditions

Social Work Apprentices are employed on a full-time fixed term contract. This is 3 years for the BA or 2 years for the MA.

The salary is G grade (£30,559 to £32,654, as of 1 April 2024).

The apprenticeship posts will be based across the county in a range of locations.

Eligibility

We are looking for resilient and motivated people who have experience in social care and can demonstrate the skills and knowledge for entry to the social work degree. See PCF - Point of entry to training on the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) website.

You will need to have at least two years direct experience of working with children and families or adults with care and support needs.

For the BA, you will need to demonstrate your academic ability by having level 3 qualifications that are equivalent to 96 UCAS points (eg 3 A Levels at grade C or equivalent including BTEC, NVQ, Access to HE), or higher.

For the MA, you will need a minimum of 2:2 undergraduate degree qualification.

For both, you will also need to have GCSEs in English or English Language and Mathematics at grade C or above, or the new grade 4 and above, or an approved equivalent such as functional skills level 2.

We will need to see your qualification certificates. You can order replacements online, if you need to.

You will need a driving licence and use of a vehicle. 

How to apply

Complete a job application through NCC's online recruitment site.

The posts are advertised annually in the spring (typically February / March). Interviews take place in May / June with posts offered to successful applicants in June / July. The MA programme starts in September and the BA programme starts in January each year.