Gloucestershire County Council
Social Work Trainee (Apprentice)
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Job Title: Social Work Trainee (Apprentice)
Job Location:
Tewkesbury and Forest of Dean
Salary:
£33,143 - £36,363 per annum
Hours per Week:
37.00
Contract Type:
Fixed-Term
Duration:
3 years
Closing Date:
06/09/2026
Job Requisition Number:
14594
This post is not open to job share
Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of children, adults, and families across Gloucestershire? We're looking for motivated and compassionate individuals to join us as Social Work Trainees.
This is an exciting opportunity to develop the skills and experience needed to become a qualified Social Worker.
Throughout the three-year apprenticeship, you will work as a Social Work Trainee (Apprentice) while building your knowledge, skills and professional experience through a combination of academic study, workplace learning and practice placements across different areas of Children's Services. In your final year, you will undertake a statutory placement to prepare for qualification. Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship and Social Work England registration, you will progress into an ASYE Children's Social Worker role, providing a clear pathway into a qualified social work career
Reward and support
For all your hard work, you will receive the following:
- between £33,143 - £36,363 per annum FTE subject to experience
- flexible and agile working opportunities
- 25.5 days annual leave rising to 30.5 days after 5 years continuous service (pro rata for part-time staff)
- option to purchase 10 days of additional leave per year (pro rata for part-time staff)
- family friendly policies and benefits to help support you and your family
- supportive and positive working environment with regular, robust supervision
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) that provides free, confidential, counselling and advice for employees, available 24 hours a day, online and by telephone
- an in-house Occupational Health service
- employee discount scheme
- links to employee networks such as Prism (LGBT+) and the Young Employees Network
- access to our Social Work Academy
- Cycle to Work scheme (eligibility criteria and t&cs apply)
- Green Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme (eligibility criteria and t&cs apply)
About the team & role
As a Social Work Trainee (Apprentice), you'll gain hands-on experience across our services, learning how to support people through challenging circumstances, promote wellbeing and independence, and contribute to safeguarding vulnerable individuals. You'll be supported through regular supervision, professional development opportunities and structured learning throughout your apprenticeship.
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In this role, you will
- Build positive relationships with individuals, families, carers and partner agencies
- Help identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns
- Support people to access local services, community resources and digital solutions
- Develop your professional knowledge through academic study, workplace learning and reflective practice
- Contribute positively to your team, bringing ideas and supporting service improvement
- Ensure your work is completed within statutory timescales, policies and professional standards
About you
We're looking for individuals who are committed to helping others and are ready to embark on a rewarding professional career in social work.
Applicants must:
- Experience supporting people who may be experiencing difficult or challenging circumstances
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage difficult and challenging conversations
- Good organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities
- An understanding of safeguarding and the importance of confidentiality
- Confidence using IT systems and producing clear, professional written records and reports
- A commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and anti-discriminatory practice
- Have at least 2 years’ experience supporting people in a social care setting (paid, voluntary or personal)
- Not be enrolled on another funded higher or further education programme
- Demonstrate understanding of the social work role and relevant legislation through learning and experience and motivation to join the profession
- Show understanding of diversity, equal opportunities and fair treatment of others
Essential Qualifications
- 5x GCSE’s 9-4 including English and Maths (or equivalent i.e. A*- C or Level 2 Functional Skills)
- Level 3 Qualification in Health and Social Care, or equivalent Health and Social Care experience
You'll benefit from
- A fully supported Level 6 Social Worker Apprenticeship
- Protected learning time as part of your working week
- Dedicated supervision, mentoring and professional development
- A supportive team environment focused on learning and development
- The opportunity to make a real difference to the people and communities of Gloucestershire
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Additional Information
This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
The role requires flexibility to work across Gloucestershire and attend learning activities as part of the apprenticeship programme. A full driving licence, or the ability to travel countywide, is required. You will spend at least 20% of your working time undertaking learning and development activities to support the successful completion of the apprenticeship.
Assessment and interview date:
- 1st-9th October- written assessment
- 13th-23rd October- interviews take place
For further information please contact Eve-Louise.Walker@gloucestershire.gov.uk or attend our information session on: Tuesday 18th August 2026- 3pm-4pm Sign up here: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/8db02eea-4391-4ca3-a49a-b5cc3f0615c7@5faec754-64e3-4014-9bcc-e72fc73ba312
Additional Information
To access the Job Profile for this role, please follow the link below: Social Work Trainee (Apprentice) Role Profile
This Position is subject to a DBS check.
Who have the right to work in the UK (not residing necessarily) and no we can't offer sponsorship for this
Gloucestershire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people or vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We want to be an employer of choice, attracting and retaining excellent people to work for us, so that we can best serve all of Gloucestershire’s diverse communities. Our promise to you is that we will provide an inclusive and supportive working environment that enables you to bring your whole self to work and realise your full potential.
It is a legal requirement, under the Immigration Act 2016, that anyone appointed to a ‘customer facing role’ must be able to demonstrate an ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in fluent English.
Hybrid working arrangements are available for the majority of our roles, giving teams the opportunity to work in a way that suits them, balancing service need and individual choice, with a mix of both remote and office working.
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