Social Work Apprentice | 9990 | temporary contract for 3 years (BA) or 2 years (MA) | 37 hours per week | £31,537 to £33,699 per annum | Grade G | Norfolk

Are you motivated to train to become a registered social worker? 

Norfolk County Council is excited to offer BA and MA social work apprenticeship posts starting in September 2026 (MA) or January 2027 (BA). To find out more about the apprenticeship programme, please click here. The posts will be based across the county in a range of locations.

Entry criteria

To be eligible for the social work apprenticeship programme you will need:

• At least two years full time (or equivalent) direct experience of working with children and families or adults with care and support needs.
• A full driving licence and use of a vehicle. If you have a disability and are not able to drive, please indicate in your application how you plan to meet the travel requirements and what reasonable adjustments you would require from the local authority.

• GCSEs in English or English Language and Mathematics at grade C/4 or above, or an approved equivalent such as functional skills level 2.

   

   

Academic requirements for the BA programme:

• Level 3 qualifications that are equivalent to 96 UCAS points (e.g. 3 A Levels at grade C or equivalent including BTEC, NVQ, Access to HE), or any higher level qualification.

   

   

Academic requirements for the MA programme:

• A minimum of 2:2 undergraduate degree qualification.

   

   

Application process

Please upload the following documents with your application. If you do not provide this evidence of how you meet the entry criteria, your application may not be considered for shortlisting:

• A document outlining your relevant experience, including current job role and all your relevant academic qualifications including subjects and grades 
• Copies of all your relevant qualification certificates including maths and English GCSE or equivalent and any level 3 or higher qualifications

Please answer all the questions on the application in full. Applications will be assessed on these questions using criteria from the Social Work Professional Capability Framework (see Point of entry to training | BASW)

Before you apply, we recommend reading the full Job Description and Person Specification to help you demonstrate you meet the criteria. 

Information session

We will be running an online information session about the Social Work Apprenticeship on Thursday 12th March 2026 from 4 to 5:30pm. Please email aclearn@norfolk.gov.uk to book a place.

Application closing date: 08 April 2026 at 11:59pm

Shortlisted applicants will be asked to complete an online written assessment and invited to an in-person selection event at County Hall in Norwich on 3rd, 5th, 18th or 19th June 2026.

If you have queries regarding this vacancy please contact Hannah.smith@norfolk.gov.uk

These are some benefits you can enjoy by working for Norfolk County Council:

• Competitive salary
• Generous holiday entitlement 
• Health and Wellbeing services including fast-track physiotherapy and a free counselling service
• Flexible working opportunities including flexi-time, part time, remote and hybrid working – dependent on your job role and business need. 
• Financial benefits such as:
  • ‘Norfolk Rewards’ our employee discounts programme which helps you save money on almost anything, from everyday groceries and clothes, to holidays, new technology, gym membership, trips to the cinema and days out.   
  • A Blue Light card for Fire Service and Social Care Workers
  • Relocation expenses (where applicable)
  • An advance of your expenses if you travel for work
  • Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution, life assurance, death in service payments and dependants’ pensions.

  • Tax efficient ways of getting extra pension and new bikes

  • Access to our tax efficient car lease scheme for greener travel enabling you to lease a brand new, ultra-low emission vehicle (subject to eligibility)

  • A payment if you refer someone you know to a hard to fill job

You can find information on our Terms and Conditions here.

Already a Norfolk County Council employee? See and apply for internal and external vacancies in myOracle using your @norfolk.gov.uk or @nccal.ac.uk email.

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