Social Work Apprentice Review
at Norfolk County Council
Degree Apprenticeship
Social Work
Norwich
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
5 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
5/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
As a social work apprentice in the team i'm working under supervision to provide assessment, support and advice to older people with care and support needs.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I thoroughly enjoy my degree apprenticeship, it is such a great opportunity, our day in university a week involves spending an hour or two on a case study (applying newly learnt theory) and this practical approach helps me in the workplace. Lots of great lecturers and good support makes it a good programme
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have learnt lots of new skills including being able to apply psychosociological approaches to the real world, theraputic approaches, upholding dignity and human rights, confidence, academic skills and essay writing.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
Very well organised, we follow a structured 3 year plan, with lots of days in university (pre-planned, I have a whole timetable for the next three years which offers me peace of mind) we also have study days, skills days and protected time for additional CPD/training
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I personally have received a great deal of support - my support network in the apprenticeship is made up of my line manager, university adviser and apprenticeships adviser, due to some difficult personal circumstances at home I've received lots of support and flexible working to accommodate my caring responsibilities, they've also offered flexibility around assignments/deadlines and a slightly reduced caseload. I feel more supported in this job then I ever have.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
We've had so much, they've even put on study skills sessions to boost our academic skills for those not used to university level work. We're in uni for block weeks and 1 day a week protected study time. I have lots of support/supervision from multiple teams/people, I'm probably spending about 30% of my time training and the rest working under supervision/mentorship
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
I am only in year 1 and already seeing a huge difference in the interactions I'm having with service users, i'm much less process driven and more looking at the bigger picture - through gaining wider knowledge at university, learning by case/scenario based study allows me to understand how colleagues would approach cases too so there is lots of mutual peer learning facilitated by an experienced social work lecturer
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
We have been offered quite a few sports things through uni, the employer has a sports and social club too. On campus there are regular events, we enjoy the bakery and coffee, there was also a social work apprenticeships pizza catch up that was put on and nice to mix with other apprentices
I've joined NIPE - norfolk institute of practice excellence so getting additional supervision/mentorship and training from a range of specialisms and networking with lots of other practitioners like OTs,
I've joined NIPE - norfolk institute of practice excellence so getting additional supervision/mentorship and training from a range of specialisms and networking with lots of other practitioners like OTs,
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Norfolk County Council to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Good salary & benefits.
Very supportive environment, especially as an apprentice/new comer to social services.
Opportunities for development and progression are clear and outlined very early on.
People are very welcoming.
I've had lots of support as a carer to do things in work time, attend the carers meeting and even some paid caring leave - accommodating of family needs.
Very supportive environment, especially as an apprentice/new comer to social services.
Opportunities for development and progression are clear and outlined very early on.
People are very welcoming.
I've had lots of support as a carer to do things in work time, attend the carers meeting and even some paid caring leave - accommodating of family needs.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Norfolk County Council?
Go for it, but do your research as there are so many different teams, and look at the progression opportunities. Consider an apprenticeship over traditional uni routes.
