Personal Advisor Review
at Staffordshire County Council
Degree Apprenticeship
Social Work
Staffordshire
Review Submitted: April 2026
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
-
Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
5/5
-
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
Providing advice and guidance to care-experience young people in line with the Staffordshire Care Leaver offer. Manage a caseload of young people to identify opportunities in education, employment or volunteering to support them in developing their skills, interests and long-term prospects. Signpost and provide advice and guidance to them to allow them to access universal services and support this development through regular pathway planning along with support and challenge to the young people concerned.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
The education programme is excellent, the material is challenging and further research and development of theory is actively encouraged. The teaching staff are professional and accessible and go out of their way to support students.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Yes, the course has actively challenged me and has taught me about Social Work theory, underpinning legislation and mental health practice. It has supported me to develop my writing and research skills, as well as supporting me in the development of my academic rigour and research methodologies.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
The academic programme is well structured, and my employer has committed to supporting me through case load reduction, reading time support and access to a practice educator to discuss my progress with.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
My employer has been very accommodating in the support that they have offered - they are an active participant in my apprenticeship journey.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
Lots - the team at Keele make themselves available and provide excellent quality feedback.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
It will enable me to embed more sophisticated practice into my present role and will allow me to gain a professional qualification to allow for SWE registration.
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
There are lots of networking opportunities for professional networking within the County Council, such as the Early Careers network, and other staff forums.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Staffordshire County Council to a friend?
Yes
Why?
There are great opportunities within Staffordshire County Council, in an organisation so large there are experts in almost every domain, working to improve the lives of the people they support. There is always someone who can provide advice and guidance as well as oversight if needed.
The company has a very flexible approach to working, both in terms of flexible location, and supporting work-life balance - I'm looking at you annual leave purchase scheme!
The culture is supportive - it's definitely a place where you can grow and succeed if you have the appetite to.
The company has a very flexible approach to working, both in terms of flexible location, and supporting work-life balance - I'm looking at you annual leave purchase scheme!
The culture is supportive - it's definitely a place where you can grow and succeed if you have the appetite to.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Staffordshire County Council?
Think about your next 5 years - there will almost certainly be a role here for you. It's an organisation that welcomes and values progression, and most managers are happy to help you plan your next steps, and the ones after that!
