Do it for a career that changes lives, including your own.
Our Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) Social Work Apprenticeship offers people with a pre-existing degree and experience working directly with service users the opportunity to take the next step in their career and become qualified social workers.
This 17-month apprenticeship programme provides a supported pathway into professional social work practice. Whether you are currently working in social care, health, education, or a related community-based role, the programme will help you build on your existing knowledge and experience while developing the skills required to practise as a registered social worker.
Delivered by The Open University and approved by Social Work England, the programme combines academic study with extensive workplace-based learning. Apprentices remain employed throughout the programme, allowing them to apply new knowledge and develop professional skills in real-life practice settings from day one. Through a blend of university learning, workplace experience, and professional supervision, apprentices will develop the knowledge, values, and behaviours needed to work confidently and effectively with individuals, families, and communities.
This is a fixed-term apprenticeship lasting 17 months, leading to a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work (England). Upon successful completion, apprentices will be eligible to apply for professional registration with Social Work England, enabling them to practise as qualified social workers. Graduates of the programme will also be supported to progress into a Newly Qualified Social Worker (NQSW) role, providing a strong foundation for a rewarding and impactful career in social work.
If you are passionate about making a difference to people’s lives and are ready to develop your career within social work, this apprenticeship provides a unique opportunity to gain a professional qualification while continuing to earn and learn in the workplace.
Purpose of the programme
The programme aims to address workforce development needs across children’s services, adult services and mental health settings by creating a pipeline of qualified social workers who can:
- Work effectively with individuals, families, carers, groups and communities.
- Assess need, manage risk and support safeguarding.
- Advocate for service users and promote person-centred practice.
- Work collaboratively with partner agencies including health services, schools, police and probation services.
- Apply evidence-informed and legally compliant social work practice.
- Demonstrate professional accountability, critical reflection and leadership.
Entry requirements
Applicants must have:
Either an honours degree with at least a 2:2 classification and have experience working directly with service users, typically for a minimum of one year in a relevant social care, health, or community-based setting.
Or hold a 2:1 degree in a relevant subject, such as Health and Social Care, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Sociology, Law or Education, may be considered where applicants do not fully meet the required experience criteria.
Hold GCSE (or equivalent) qualifications in English and Mathematics.
Demonstrate postgraduate study potential and IT competence.
Satisfy DBS requirements and recruitment processes, including interview and initial skills assessment
More information about the programme
For more information about the programme and it’s structure, visit: Social Work Degree Apprenticeship pages on the Open University site.
The application process for the Postgraduate Diploma Apprenticeship in Social Work has now closed for the January 2027 intake. Applications will reopen next year, so please check these webpages regularly for updates.
Want to find out more about Children's Social Care? Get in touch
childsc.recruitmentchildrenssocialwork-mailbox@devon.gov.uk
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