Children's Social Work Apprentice (Post Graduate Diploma)
- Devon
- Full Time
- £26,824 - £28,598 p.a
Start your career in children’s social work
Do you want a career where you can make a genuine difference to children and families across Devon?
We have five exciting opportunities to join Children’s Services as a Social Work Apprentice, completing the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work while gaining valuable experience on the job. The programme starts in January 2027.
You will learn through a mix of academic study and hands-on practice across a range of children’s social care services. You will build the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to become a qualified social worker, while being supported throughout your development.
Could this be the opportunity for you?
- Hold a minimum 2:2 honours degree* in any subject and have at least one year’s paid or voluntary experience working directly with service users in a professional setting, such as a local authority or a health or social care provider in the private, voluntary or independent sector; or
- Hold a minimum 2:1 honours degree* in a relevant subject, such as health and social care, nursing, occupational therapy, psychology, sociology or social studies, law or legal studies, or teaching and education.
You will also need to:
- Have GCSE Maths and English (Grade A-C or 9-4) or equivalent*
- Achieve an International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS) score of 7, if English is not your first language
- Demonstrate the potential to study at postgraduate level and take on the challenges and responsibility of a qualified Social Worker
- Hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle
- Are keen to learn and motivated to succeed
- Are willing to provide excellent service to the people of Devon
*You must provide your original qualification certificates at interview so that your eligibility for the programme can be confirmed.
Please ensure that your application form clearly demonstrates that all eligibility requirements have been met.
What the programme offers
This is a fixed-term apprenticeship lasting 1.5 years. On successful completion, you will gain a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work (England) and be able to apply for registration with Social Work England. You will then be supported to apply for progression to a Newly Qualified Social Worker role.
The programme is delivered by the Open University and combines academic learning with practice-based experience, helping you put your learning into action from the start.
Social Work Apprenticeship - BA (Hons) / Postgraduate Diploma | Open University
Please also refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for further details on the main duties and responsibilities of this role.
Before applying, please read the Person Specification and consider the Professional Capabilities Framework. We will be looking for your awareness of the social context of practice, understanding of yourself and others, ability to build rapport, and potential to develop the knowledge, skills and values required for professional social work training.
How to apply
Apply by midnight on Sunday 23 August 2026. If you have the ambition, commitment and potential we are looking for, we would love to hear from you.
We may close the advert early if we receive enough applications, so please apply as soon as you can.
Where you could be based
- Exeter and East Devon: County Hall, Exeter
- South and West Devon: Follaton House, Totnes
- North and Mid Devon: Taw View, Barnstaple
Please tell us on your application which area or areas of Devon you would prefer to work in.
Selection process
Shortlisting will take place in two stages, led by Devon County Council and the Open University. Devon County Council interviews are expected to take place during the week commencing 7 September 2026.
Questions? Contact the Children’s Social Care Recruitment Team at childsc.recruitmentchildrenssocialwork-mailbox@devon.gov.uk.
Visa sponsorship: We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. We therefore cannot accept applications from people based overseas or anyone who may need sponsorship during the 1.5-year programme.
Internal applicants: If you already work for Devon County Council, please use your iTrent Employee Self Service details to sign in and apply.
Important information
- This role requires a DBS disclosure.
- This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
- Devon County Council values the benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to an inclusive, safe working environment. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to challenging discrimination, reducing inequality and promoting diversity across Devon. Further information is available on our Equality and Diversity webpages.
REQ010342 - Children's Social Care
Interview Date: w/c 7 September 2026
Click here to see the Job Description