Children Services

| Salary £28,142- £32,061Per Annum | Fixed Term, Full Time, Until 31-Dec-2029, 37 Hours Per Week |

Pay Award Pending

International Sponsorship – this role is not open to international sponsorship

Social Work Apprenticeship (Childrens)

We are pleased to announce the third cohort of the Social Work Degree Apprenticeship starting in January 2027. We are opening to external applicants who meet the essential criteria.

• Earn while you learn, study for a Social Work Degree with the University of Lancashire whilst working for the Council within Social Work teams.
• An opportunity for career progression and development from a support worker role or similar multi-agency equivalent to qualified Social Worker.
• University fees paid for, for the duration of the 3-year programme.
• Commitment from the Council that you will be offered a permanent Social Worker role upon successful completion of the Apprenticeship Programme.

To complete the degree, you will undertake

• Learning opportunities in your employed role working alongside qualified social workers.
• A minimum of 6 hours per week off the job training, students will attend University one day a week for the full duration of the 3-year programme.
• A full time 70-day placement in a contrasting setting during your second year, supported by a Practice Educator. A further 100-day placement will be undertaken during the third year.
• Additional studies/completion of academic assignments and portfolio work, in your own time.

In Year 1 you will work as a Residential Child Care Worker. You would work from a children's home where children and young people aged between 11 years and 17 years live. Residential Child Care Workers eat and sleep at the home with the children and young people and undertake basic household tasks – cleaning, cooking, shopping.

Our children are not able to live safely with their parent(s) or family and this is usually due to adverse childhood experience and trauma. Residential Child Care Workers listen and engage our children in 1:1 work around feelings, emotions and behaviours and link with other professionals, such as social workers, schools, police, and health workers to ensure our children's needs are met

In Year 2 you would work either in the Children and Family Wellbeing Service or in one of our Outreach teams. In both roles you would hold your own caseload of children and would be responsible for completing Early Help assessments, chairing meetings, completing direct work and being part of a multi-agency team around the child and family to ensure their needs were met.

In Year 3 you would join a Social Work team, working alongside Social Workers to develop your skills and prepare you for the role. The overall purpose of the role is to achieve the best outcomes for children and young people in Lancashire ensuring that the right support is provided by the right service at the right time. You will be involved in ensuring children and young people are safe and protected from harm, assisting with completing Social Work assessments and leading on direct work with children, young people and their families.

Apprenticeship Information events are being held during September 2026. These are taking place 9th September 2026 11am & 11th September 2026 3pm

Both will be via teams – to book a place on either of these events, please contact [email hidden] , stating your preference.

Due to the Apprenticeship starting in January 2027, you must be available to commence your role in Lancashire on Monday 4th January 2027.

Please ensure you have uploaded and attached your supporting statement to evidence how you meet the criteria for the role. The panel may be unable to shortlist you for interview without this evidence.

When submitting your supporting statement, please draw on your own experiences, knowledge, and reflections. Include relevant examples from your work, learning, voluntary activities, or life experience. The selection panel is interested in your personal perspective, values, motivations, and development, so responses should be written in your own words and reflect your individual experiences and insights.

There is an expectation that the apprentice will commit to remaining with the Council for two years post qualification. The apprentice will be offered a permanent Social Worker post upon qualifying.

Applicants must have completed prior to application GCSE or equivalent in English Language at Grade C or above. (Acceptable equivalents include Functional Skills level 2, Key Skills level 2, British Sign Language level 2, etc.). If you are invited to interview, you will be expected to bring evidence of your English qualification.

For an informal and confidential discussion please contact Tonya Harrison, Principal Social Worker by email [email hidden]

Interviews will be held from 5 th October 2026 to 16 th October 2026.

If you are an internal candidate, there is an option for internal recruitment – you are encouraged to follow this route with your manager's support. Contact Tonya Harrison, Principal Social Worker by email [email hidden] for more information.

The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a 'disclosure'. Further information can be found on the 'Our Recruitment Process' tab.

You will be required to provide a car for use in connection with the duties of this post and must be insured for business use. However, we may consider you if you cannot drive because of a disability.

In return Lancashire County Council offers a range of benefits, which can be found on LCC Vacancies website.

We reserve the right to close down a vacancy early, before the closing date, if we receive sufficient applications.

Job Description and Person Specification