Guide to Social Care Apprenticeships

There are some things that we just can’t live without. Food. Water. Shelter. A cheese grater.

These things are essential. But some people in society need a little bit more support to get through the day-to-day. They require social care.

Social care provides support for those who need it, maybe because of a disability, illness or other circumstances. People who work in this sector support adults and children who need that bit of extra care, and at the same time, they help them maintain their independence.

It’s a highly rewarding career, and everyone who works in this sector has one thing in common… They are indispensable. They make a real difference in people’s lives.

This is our guide to social care apprenticeships; we’ll breakdown the different schemes and pathways that are available in social care, and provide you with some key information about a career that really matters.

Choosing an Apprenticeship in Social Care

There are a couple of different types of apprenticeships available within the social care sector.

There are schemes that start at level 2, so you can begin immediately after your GCSEs, and even a programme that will help you get a FREE degree.

Here are just some of the apprenticeships in social care that you can apply for...

Adult Care Worker

Level 2
Duration: Typically 12 months

This role requires mature, kind and competent candidates. Adult Care Workers help vulnerable adults live their day-to-day life as independently as possible - providing care and compassion at every hurdle. Going into this career requires you to think on your feet and have great communication skills.

Once you have finished this apprenticeship, you can move on to a Level 3 Lead Adult Care Worker apprenticeship.

Children, Young People & Families Practitioner

Level 4
Duration: Typically 24 months

As an apprentice in this role, you’ll be working with children, young people and families (we hope the title didn’t give anything away…). You will be trained in recognising and handling the complex needs of those in your care.

You can choose to train as a Practitioner in Children’s Residential Care or as a Children, Young People and Families Practitioner within the Community.

Either way, you won’t just be working in an office. You’ll be providing frontline care for vulnerable people, in children’s homes, special schools, youth centres and more.

Once you have finished this apprenticeship, you can move on to a Level 5 Children, Young People & Families Manager apprenticeship.

Social worker (degree)

Level 6
Duration: Typically 36 months

As a Social Worker, you will work in partnership with carers, vulnerable children, parents and guardians.

It’s a Social Worker’s duty to protect people in their care. To do this, they must use their initiative to identify risks and assess the progression or regression of those they are looking after.

It’s also really important that Social Workers have a high level of professionalism. Most will have to deal with emotionally turbulent situations, and support people in really difficult circumstances. And that means having to keep an objective mind so that their judgment remains sound.

A degree apprenticeship is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get a degree without paying any tuition fees. Click here to find out more about these magical beings.

Benefits of Working in the Social Care Sector

There are countless benefits to working in the social care sector. But we don’t have all day, so we’re giving you our top THREE…

There’s room to progress

As there are so many specialisms in social care, once you’ve completed your apprenticeship you can begin to shape your career the way YOU want it. For example, you could specialise in helping people that fall into one of these areas:

• Abusive relationships

• People diagnosed with HIV/AIDS

• People suffering from mental health problems

• Children who have been in long-term care

• Refugees and asylum seekers

See what we mean? And there are SO many more to choose from. It’s up to you to choose which direction your career takes.

Every day is different

No two days are the same. One minute you’re in meetings or giving assessments, and the next you’re giving evidence in court over a family law case.

Ellie Fudge (an adult and social care apprentice) backs us up on this one. "The best thing about working in social care is knowing that you are helping other people and that every day is different." See, we told you. To read Ellie’s full article on why working in social care is brilliant click here.

You’re making a difference

Working in social care means that no matter what, you are having an impact on someone’s life. You have a duty of care to those in need and, in the immortal words of Uncle Ben in Spiderman, <Strong>“with great power comes great responsibility.”

What can I earn on an apprenticeship?

As an apprentice in the social care sector, your salary will vary depending on what kind of apprenticeship you choose.

The current minimum wage for apprentices is £3.90 an hour. Check out this magnificent table we’ve created, outlining the National Minimum Wage in the UK.

After you’ve completed your apprenticeship, you’ll no longer be on an apprenticeship wage. Instead, you’ll be looking at earning up to £32,500 as a qualified social care professional.