Social Work Apprentice

Social Work Apprenticeships in Cornwall

 Make a difference – Children’s Social Work in Cornwall

“Senior leaders and politicians are relentless in their drive to continue to improve the lives of Cornwall’s children and families”

Staff’s care, commitment and child focussed approach shine through when they talk about their work. This positive working environment helps to foster a culture in which an enthusiasm and commitment to do the best for children is found at all levels in the organisation.”

Ofsted, July 2024 

We believe that the children of Cornwall deserve the very best. We have a clear commitment to build upon our strong, resilient Social Work workforce. 

We are looking to recruit applicants interested in embarking in a career in social work in Cornwall. If you have strong values and ethics, a commitment to humane, relationship- based practice, an abiding curiosity, motivation and passion for this area of work, and have been considering a career in social work, we would like to hear from you. This is a unique offer, with a full salary throughout and all training paid for.

This scheme offers both an Undergraduate and Postgraduate apprenticeship pathway via the Open University. 

The taught Apprenticeship starts in January 2027; You will be released for two practice placements across the duration of the course.  

Following a successful application, there is a two-step interview process:

1. An assessment centre style interview with Cornwall Council in September 2026. 

If successful: 

1. Application and interview with the Open University to secure an academic place on the course. Interviews taking place in October 2026. 

Only on securing a place with both the Council and the Open University will you be offered a position to start the apprenticeship.

The Open University offer Undergraduate and Postgraduate apprenticeship routes which the council utilise for our apprenticeship programme**.** 

You will be employed by Cornwall Council with your salary paid as a permanent member of staff. Course fees are funded via Cornwall Council’s apprenticeship levy.

More details on the courses can be found here: Social Work Apprenticeship - BA (Hons) / Postgraduate Diploma | Open University

This is a public/customer-facing role, where the statutory English language requirement for public sector workers applies.                  

This position will be subject to an enhanced criminal record disclosure and barring check. 

To be considered for the Apprenticeship Scheme you must:

• Be working directly with children and their families, either as a practitioner or as a first line manager or have previously worked with children and their families for at least one year.
• Have a proven track record of taking personal responsibility for the quality and consistency of your own practice in line with service standards.
• Be motivated and passionate about working with children and families.
• Have good relationship skills, being able to communicate effectively in both verbal and written formats.
• Hold a commitment to working for Cornwall Council as a social worker, completing your Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) and early social work career practice within Children’s Service.
• We welcome applications from Together for Families employees. To qualify you must be a full-time employee of the Together for Families Directorate, be working directly with families, have support from your Team Manager and Head of Service, as well as meeting the below requirements.  

 All candidates must:

• Hold GCSE grade 9–4/A*–C/ Functional/Key Skills Level 2 in English and mathematics, or a certified equivalent (certified evidence will be required on application).
• Be willing to undertake distance-based learning with the Open University. 
• For the Post graduate programme, in addition to Maths and English, hold a current degree in a related field.
• Be willing and able to work full time, to meet the needs of the service and course requirements. 
• To have a full UK driving licence and a regular access to a car. 
• Be committed to working with Cornwall Children and Family Services as a Social Worker for 3 years post qualification.

We will support you with:

• A salary as an Social Work Apprentice, whilst you undertake your training.
• The costs of university fees and associated expenses (fees are funded by the apprenticeship levy*).
• Qualified and experienced Practice Educator support.
• Appropriate practice placements in line with the requirements of your social work course.
• An interview for the role of Newly Qualified Social Worker (NQSW) on successful completion of the course.

*Please note in order to qualify for the apprenticeship you must not be committed to or undertaking any other Government funded study.

Please read the role profile for the full details of this role attached below in this advert

What you’ll get in return:

Cornwall Council’s ambition is to be an employer of choice, a high performing Council and a learning organisation. We commit to providing a reward and benefits package to attract, motivate and reward our employees. We offer a range of flexible working options to our staff.

We actively encourage and enable our practitioners to progress and reward them for their commitment and expertise. If you are committed to continuing professional development, can demonstrate learning in your practice and in improved outcomes for the children you help and protect, we will provide you with the career options and remuneration that match your expertise.  We support our social workers to stay in front line practice as advanced practitioners or move to front line management, both of which attract the same pay.

As part of our commitment to outstanding practice, we have put in place a comprehensive core curriculum and career and qualification pathway for our social workers to develop their knowledge and skills to deliver the most effective social work intervention with children and families.

Cornwall is one of the best places in the country to live, work and bring up a family. It’s location and landscape offer unique opportunities for a healthier, happier way of life.  We are committed to supporting the wellbeing of our staff and we recognise that resilient social workers need a good work/life balance as well as supportive leadership and support in the workplace.

In recognition of the vital contribution you make, we offer an attractive package of benefits including:

• A generous relocation package if new to Cornwall. 
• An individualised induction to meet your specific needs and learning.
• An excellent core curriculum to support your ongoing development with a high-quality programme of evidence-based learning and development to enhance skills and practice.
• An outstanding career and qualification pathway, recognised by Ofsted as a foundation of Cornwall’s good practice, which will support your progression.
• Support from our dedicated Practice Educators throughout your progression pathway.
• Regular, high-quality case and reflective supervision.
• Supportive management and leadership.
• Support to access temporary accommodation if moving from outside of Cornwall
• Access to a Cornwall Council lease car.
• 26 days paid annual leave per year (rising with length of service), plus bank holidays.
• Flexible working opportunities.
• A license to access Community Care Inform and Research in Practice.
• Payment of your Social Work England registration fees once qualified.
• A competitive starting salary and the opportunity to increase your pay further as you progress.

 Additional Information:

Cornwall Council is unable to offer visa sponsorship or transfer existing sponsorship for this role. 

The full role profile is attached here:

• Social Work Apprentice

We recommend saving a copy of this to refer to if you are invited to an interview.

For more information or an informal chat about the role please contact pswpracticeeducation@cornwall.gov.uk

Council interviews are assessment centre style with four components:

• Group exercise
• Written exercise
• Expert by Experience panel
• Main panel interview

Interviews will be held in person and over 3 days 2nd – 4th September 2026. You may be required for more than 1 day.  Closing date 16th August 2026

Application Process

Please attach a supporting statement to your application, you can add your Education & Qualifications details manually using the application form timeline or you can upload your CV. Remember to demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points marked as ‘Application’ on the Role Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience, which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had. Guidance on how to complete your application can be found here – The application process.

Please Note: We have high numbers of applicants for these positions therefore please accompany your application with scanned copies of your certificates evidencing the entry requirements (for all applicants) and a degree certificate if applying at Masters level, as these will inform our shortlisting process.  We are unable to process applications further without this evidence.

Please note that applications cannot be edited after they have been submitted, so please contact careers@cornwall.gov.uk if you have any queries or require assistance with your application.

Existing employees must apply using their Cornwall Council email address through the Opportunity Marketplace on Oracle.

Employer Description

We are happy to talk about flexible working options such as part-time or compressed hours. More examples of our flexible working opportunities can be found here - flexible working options.

Fairness and inclusion are at the heart of our vision for Cornwall. In order to best serve our communities, we are striving to achieve a diverse workforce that is inclusive of all backgrounds, cultures and identities; e.g., race, disability, sex, gender reassignment status, age, religion and sexual orientation. We are an equal opportunities and Disability Confident employer, and we will assess applicants on their merits.

Cornwall Council is committed to safeguarding and following safer recruitment principles to help make sure our staff and volunteers are suitable to work with children, young people and adults at risk. It’s a vital part of creating a safe and positive environment and making a commitment to keeping all service users safe from harm.

Cornwall Council deliver services to more than half a million local people and over five million visitors a year. Working here - Cornwall Council

We are happy to talk about flexible working options such as part-time or compressed hours. More examples of our flexible working opportunities can be found here - flexible working options.

Fairness and inclusion are at the heart of our vision for Cornwall. In order to best serve our communities, we are striving to achieve a diverse workforce that is inclusive of all backgrounds, cultures and identities; e.g., race, disability, sex, gender reassignment status, age, religion and sexual orientation. We are an equal opportunities and Disability Confident employer, and we will assess applicants on their merits.

Cornwall Council is committed to safeguarding and following safer recruitment principles to help make sure our staff and volunteers are suitable to work with children, young people and adults at risk. It’s a vital part of creating a safe and positive environment and making a commitment to keeping all service users safe from harm.