Social Work Apprentice Review

I have been an apprentice within Adult Social Care since September 2023, working with adults who have recently been discharged from hospital and more recently in Early Intervention. I work 'on the job' 3 days a week and attend university the other 2 days. My role has been to undertake assessments under the Care Act 2014 focusing on individual needs, how these impact on well-being and the outcomes the person wants to achieve. To be able to undertake these assessments I had to learn about the duties that local authorities have in assessing adult care and support needs and my own responsibilities when undertaking an assessment under the Care Act. I have subsequently developed my social care practice based on a person-centred and strengths-based approach, actively listening to the person so that I am able to find out what is important to them. I have been working in a community-based role, visiting adults in their own home or place of care and during assessments have gathered information about care and support needs from the person’s perspective and my own observations to evidence eligibility for local authority assistance. I have worked in partnership with families and care providers in planning care and support for individuals and have determined the eligibility of informal carers with their own support needs, making referrals where appropriate for carers needs assessments. I have worked with a variety of people in different care settings and under supervision have been undertaking mental capacity assessments to determine whether the person has capacity to make a specific decision at a particular time – for example the decision to remain in 24-hour care long term, and have subsequently worked with families and legal power of attorneys to make best interest decisions. My confidence in speaking up and taking immediate action to keep the people in my care safe from harm has grown significantly. My on-the-job learning has helped me to develop some of the core attributes that an apprentice is required to evidence in order to complete their training.

I have 2 days a week study leave during term time during which I attend Leeds Beckett University. My on the job learning has been structured to give me a wide range of learning experience and I have regular caseload discussions and supervision with my mentor. The apprenticeship team also keep in touch regularly to offer support and advice and to ensure that the base team are following the structure of the programme.

I have fortnightly caseload management discussions and monthly supervision plus regular tripartite reviews to discuss my progress. I also have regular discussions with the apprenticeship team who have been really supportive throughout my journey if any problems have occurred.

I have a designated tutor at University who meets with me regularly to give advice and support. She also monitors me closely when I am away from my base team on placement and holds meetings with me and my practice educator to discuss my progress. The University team have on the whole been very supportive throughout my training.

I can see a huge difference in knowledge and confidence between apprenticeship route students and normal route students. I can perform better in my role as every day I am learning on the job, problem solving and communicating with a wide range of people, their families and other professionals. Normal route students only get this opportunity whilst on placement and can often be unprepared for what social work "really" looks like on the frontline.

Yes

After working for the NHS for over 20 years I was nervous about moving to a local authority role. However I have been healthier and happier for taking the leap despite the demands of my degree. Calderdale Council promote inclusion, kindness and positivity in their social work teams and I was welcomed and supported from my first day. After experiencing the difference in dynamics between working in the NHS and the Calderdale Council I can honestly say I would never go back.