Social Care Apprenticeships
Love working with people and making a difference to their lives? A career in social care could be exactly where you need to be.
In social care, you’ll work directly with people who need extra support, whether they’re living with disabilities, health conditions or facing challenges. You’ll help them live as independently as possible, giving them a decent quality of life.
An apprenticeship in social care is the perfect way to get your foot in the door. You’ll get real experience in a real job and earn a salary. Here’s a breakdown:
LEVELS: 2 to 7 | SALARY: Between £15,000 and £26,000 per year | WHEN TO APPLY: All-year-round
Read on to discover how you can kickstart a career in social care.
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You'll split your time between university study (20%) and hands-on work experience (80%), giving you the best of both worlds. Lasting between one and three years, you'll support people at different life stages who need extra help, whether that's children, adults, or older people facing various challenges.
On top of all that training and skill-building, you’ll also earn a salary.
Apprenticeships can last anywhere between 12 months and 4 years, depending on which area or apprenticeship level you start in.
Social work can be emotionally demanding, and you might face some tough situations, but if you're genuinely passionate about helping others and have strong listening skills, you'll find it incredibly rewarding.
You absolutely can. While there are some aspects of social care where a degree will help, there are loads of entry-level roles that won’t necessarily need one. Some of these include:
Care worker
Family support worker
Social care assistant.
Social care apprenticeships give you the perfect foundation to build your career from. You’ll gain valuable experience from day one, and there’s zero pressure to have one. Want to pursue a degree a little later on? You could look to do a degree apprenticeship whenever you’re ready.
There’s so much to choose from. There are hundreds of roles out there (with the NHS alone offering 350 different options). Whether you're drawn to hands-on care, prefer working behind the scenes or want to develop technical skills, there's a path for you.
Plus, social care work isn’t just what you might expect. You could even train as a chef, administrator, or maintenance specialist. Here are some apprenticeships you’ll find:
Ambulance practitioner
Dental nurse
Informatics
Health and social care
Healthcare assistant
Maternity and paediatric support
Nursing
Social worker
Adult care worker
Physiotherapist
Youth worker
Occupational therapist.
Don't worry about knowing exactly what each day will look like; that's actually one of the best parts. You'll experience different aspects of care work, from hands-on support to planning and admin.
Whatever your day looks like, you’ll be genuinely making a difference in people’s lives.
What levels are available in social care apprenticeships?
You’ll find a social care apprenticeship in the following levels:
To be able to do an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship, you’ll need to be at least 16 years old. For higher and degree apprenticeships, you’ll need to be at least 18 years old.
Social care offers real career progression, too. Whether you want to specialise in different areas, like moving from frontline care to becoming a team leader or explore completely new roles, you'll have the support and training to make it happen.
Where can you do social care apprenticeships?
Whether you're drawn to working in hospitals, community centres, charities, or people's homes, there are so many places you could work. There are loads of employers looking for talented future social workers to join them.
Ever wanted to know what it’s like to work as a physiotherapist? This is how one apprentice felt about their time at HCRG Care Group:
I love being enrolled in the physiotherapy apprenticeship programme. I found the lecturers and support staff at UWE Bristol very good and supportive, always keen to go the extra mile to teach us. Senior Rehabilitation Assistant Degree Apprentice, HCRG Care Group
What GCSEs do I need for social care apprenticeships?
Each level has different entry requirements. Let’s break it down…
Level 2 (Intermediate): Two or more GCSEs graded at levels 9 to 4 (A* to C)
Level 3 (Advanced): Five GCSEs graded at 9 to 4 (A* to C) or similar
Level 4/5 (Higher): Two A Levels or completed a Level 3 apprenticeship
Level 6/7 (Degree Apprenticeships): Three A Levels graded at 9 to 4 (A* to C)
In some apprenticeships you might need a driver’s license and you'll need to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (BDS) check, especially if you’re going to work with vulnerable adults, young people and children.
All apprentices are guaranteed at least the apprenticeship minimum wage, but most employers pay a lot more, depending on the role and level you start at.
The best part? Your pay typically increases as you progress through your apprenticeship and gain more skills.
On average, social care apprentices earn between £15,000 and £26,000 per year.
You’ll be a full-time employee, which can come with some perks. These are very much dependent on the company you work for, but you’ll be guaranteed holiday pay.
Once you’re fully qualified and gain more experience in your field, you could earn up to £55,000 per year.
Most employers start recruiting around January for September starts, but plenty hire throughout the year.
Found a role you vibe with? You’ll start with an online application. Always make sure to tailor your application and CV for each job you apply for.
Next comes an online assessment, usually covering situational judgement and personality questions. These help employers understand how you approach problems and work with others
If you progress, you'll be invited for an interview. Some employers run assessment centres where you'll take part in group activities alongside your interview.
We have loads more tips to help you level up your application skills:
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