What is an apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships are perfect for upskilling or retraining our existing workforce (and don’t forget they are great for recruiting new employees too!) They are nationally recognised development programmes that provide in-depth technical excellence and support career progression, upwards or sideways. Apprenticeships aren’t just for 16-25 years old – they are great for your exisiting workforce to help them develop and progress – this includes supporting people at degree level.
We want to increase the number of Apprenticeships in social care locally. We created a document designed to support adult social care providers in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, who are considering an apprentice. This includes providers of CQC regulated services, for example care homes and home care, but also our community-based support, for example day opportunities.
If you have any feedback on this guide, and if there are other helpful tools we could produce for you, please do get in touch. We will be creating other supporting documents, for example a top-tips on making a good levy transfer application form – so watch this space in the coming weeks and months.
If you are a provider with positive apprenticeship experience, we would also love to hear from you.
No matter what level you study, Apprenticeships are a brilliant way to learn while you earn. But don’t take our word for it – read these staff stories.
Name
Bethan Lally
Role
Social Care Assessor (awaiting formal SWEngland social worker registration)
Name of apprenticeship
Degree level Apprenticeship in Social Work
When started
Started in 2021
What was the day to day like?
Really varied! With working in placement and also at university, no two days were never the same. The courses spanned from psychology and sociology to law and ethic;, all contributing to my extended understanding of the myriad complexities of the experiences of people we work with.
How did it help your practice?
It was the comprehensive curriculum of the social work program that equipped me with the knowledge and ethical frameworks necessary to help me to put my passions effectively into practice - the mentorship from experienced social workers and the hands-on engagement with residents really helped to refine my skills.
From conducting assessments and crafting intervention plans, to documenting cases and practicing self-reflection, which is a big part of the course, the degree shaped me into a practitioner really capable of delivering services with both confidence and competence.
I’m now really able to truly critically examine research and case studies, helping me to really hone the rationale around what I’m doing and why.
The ultimate litmus test for the value of a social work degree is how it’s impacting people’s lives. As my expertise grew, so did my capacity to create meaningful change with people.
What were the challenges?
To start with I was a bit nervous about structured assessments but the programme helped me to approach cases methodically, minimising my bias, and maximising the potential for successful outcomes – based around the strengths of the client.
I think that being truly reflective about yourself and your biases is really hard work, but wouldn’t change that for the world. The whole course really did prompt me to examine my values, beliefs, and biases that fostered a self-awareness and emotional intelligence that really does show in my approach to cases. We all have culture biases and beliefs, but I’m able to look at those now and really feel that I can be ‘with’ the client, whatever their background.
Anything else about the university side of learning?
Initially academia was foreign to me, having never before delved into the rigorous depths of scholarly work. Initially intimidated I soaked up lectures eager scribbling notes and trying to catch every salient point the lecturers made.
Necessity is a profound teacher and the requirement to create presentations, academic posters and genograms required some dedicated learning of the intricacies of PowerPoint, Publisher and online research databases. Embracing innovation has been a key aspect of my educational journey.
University resources were a particular boon.
It hasn’t just been about an individual accumulation of knowledge it was about being part of a community. Whether through study group projects, peer reviews, or study groups, my education was enriched by the perspectives and insights of my classmates.
As I progressed as a mature student age became inconsequential. I realised that my life experiences brought a unique depth to discussions and my perspectives were valued.
The university side of learning on my social work degree has been ardous, but immensely rewarding.
Any lasting impacts of doing the apprenticeship?
In essence, my social work degree has been far more than an academic pursuit. It has been a crucible in which my character has been refined and my skills sharpened. It has provided me a platform from which to launch a career not simply of employment but of vocation and purpose. Engagement with this educational journey has certainly shaped my worldview, my sense of self, and my role within the fabric of society. It’s had a real impact on me!
It’s all about professional accountability in professional growth, and I’m so glad that I stepped up.
Would you recommend the course to anyone else?
Absolutely. It’s not jut progressing your career in the best way. It’s also about you becoming the best version of yourself. Do it!
Name
Clare Wood
Role
Social Worker
Name of apprenticeship
Degree level Apprenticeship in Social Work Practice
When started
Started in January 2021 completed in October 2023.
What was the day to day like?
When I started working for Social Care I had the honour to witness some of the most wonderful professionals working with people and families at their most vulnerable and treating them with respect and compassion, this made me realise that I wanted a job role like that and I could make the difference to people I work alongside as well as people I work with.
How did it help your practice?
I have developed so much around professional curiosity and the confidence to ask questions, whereas before I may have accepted the advice given and been on a constant roundabout as changes/. I now challenge the status quo based on my new reflexivity and knowledge, and explore how it could be looked at differently to improve the outcome for those we are working with.
What were the challenges?
It was a definite challenge returning to education and recognising my struggles with academic work, through the support of the university I was diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD at the age of 39.
I felt that I was prepared by MPFT and Staffordshire University of the expectations by both from me to complete the studies, however I think I put myself under pressure to achieve better.
It was extremely hard to balance work, university and a family life, however this was the only opportunity that I could undertake a degree to become a social worker.
Any lasting impacts of doing the apprenticeship?
I still pinch myself to think that 9 years ago this week I was just starting in admin with no social care knowledge, fly forward to today and I have just completed my first week as a Social Worker, ready for the challenges and excited about the future. The
Would you recommend the course to anyone else?
Yes absolutely. One thing that I learned when I was made redundant from Phones 4U was to embrace change and experiences. To keep learning and be open to opportunities.
It gives you real work experience while learning - it’s about using our experience, different points of view and our life skills to improve situations and to think outside of the box, but the degree also builds on your foundation of legislation and theories and reflection and looks at the whole picture and not just the person in the middle.
Name
Gareth Wigley
Role
Social Worker (Social Care Assessor whilst completing course)
Name of apprenticeship
Degree level Apprenticeship in Social Work
When started
Started in 2020, completed in 2023.
What was the day to day like?
I attended one a day a week at university, and then worked in substantive post for the other 4 days, other than during placements. This enabled me to apply the learning and knowledge from lectures into my practice in real time, and also enabled me to continually to critically reflect on my own practice. Assessments would often be written late at night for myself due to having a young family (evenings and weekends were mayhem), but I know other students would prefer to complete assessments in the mornings, evenings or weekends dependent on their own situation. University days tended to run from 10-3, with a variety of teaching styles and methods being implemented to ensure that all learning styles were accounted for and to keep the course interesting.
How did it help your practice?
Before starting the apprenticeship I based by practice on what others had guided me on – helpful, but what I needed was a much deeper understanding of the social care profession; the flexibility needed, the theories about why people act in the way they do and apply the right strategies. The lectures really do provider a base for practice and knowledge and with actually practicing at the same time you can understand how this applies, and what else is involved, when practicing in the real world. Being able to critically reflect on our practice, and wider policies, is a skill and does impact straight away. As importantly, there’s no waiting for Staffordshire residents to feel the impact of what I was learning – I was able to make a new and improved impact every day. I really appreciate being supported to undertake the apprenticeship – it has made such a difference.
What were the challenges?
Being reflective takes practices and I struggled in the beginning, but then things started to slot into place and it now helps me to really challenge myself and my own ‘lens’ when I’m carrying out assessments, which is such a good thing for the client. Balancing the requirements of the university course, work and family commitments was initially a struggle, but with support and practice, this significantly improved during the course.
Any lasting impacts of doing the apprenticeship?
I continue to be really reflective about my own practice, including giving real consideration to how I communication and how to take on different perspectives. I’m also able to implement much more research based interventions which is helping with focus and working together with the person to build on their strengths.
Would you recommend the course to anyone else?
Yes – anyone who has an interest in social work and currently works in an appropriate role involving aspects of social care would be suitable for this course. We had people from children’s backgrounds, adult’s backgrounds and mental health. There were also people of varying ages and experience, including people who have worked in their roles for 20+ years and others who were just turning 21 during the course! Some of the students had never completed any higher education work previously, and others who had degrees in different subjects.