Apprenticeships

We also support Social Work Trainees to undertake the Social Work Apprenticeship Programme and are supported through the Social Work Academy. The Trainees complete the Apprenticeship through Sunderland University whilst working full time in Children's Social Care.

As a Childrens Social Care Trainee (Apprentice) in Gateshead you will access a range of development opportunities within our Childrens Social Care Academy who will provide a learning culture where you will develop your range of skills and experiences.  You will receive high levels of supervision and support from the Academy; this will include the Academy Team Manager and Consultant Social Worker as well as allocation to your own Apprenticeship Mentor.

During your Apprenticeship you will acquire the skills, experience, and knowledge required to be a Social Worker through work-based learning, guidance and support from a line manager, and completion of a level 6 Social Work qualification.

The Academy team will be where you start your Apprenticeship journey during which time you will work across all areas of Childrens Social Care, including supporting our social work teams, undertaking family support and family time, and working within our residential settings, whilst continually being supported through the Academy model.

You will be appointed on a permanent contract and subject to your successful completion of your Apprenticeship you will be offered a post of Newly Qualified Social Worker and placed upon our Assisted Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) programme.  Following your successful completion of your ASYE you will be offered a Children & Families Social Worker Practitioner permanent contract and will be matched against a vacancy within one of the following teams; Assessment and Intervention, Safeguarding and Care Planning, Children in our Care, Children with Disabilities, Contextual Safeguarding, Fostering or Kinship Care. 

We support internal staff to access the apprenticeship when vacancies come up and this is a way of staff progressing within Gateshead.