Social Worker
Developing the social workers of the future.
Backed by Social Work England, this apprenticeship builds social work skills across adult, child, family, and mental health services.
For local authorities, it’s a great way to grow your team. You can use it to upskill current staff or attract new talent into your social work provision.
For apprentices - launch a fulfilling career practicing as a social worker. You’ll study towards a degree, gain real experience in the workplace. All with no tuition fees.
Partner with ARU to ensure the capability of your social work team meets organisational and community demands.
Why apprenticeships at ARU?
We’ll help you reap the benefits of talent acquisition through apprenticeships.
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Approved against Social Work England’s education and training standards
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Develop staff or new recruits into qualified Social Workers
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Delivers impact in the workplace as your apprentice progresses
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Apprentices learn from experts in academia and work
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Shape their approach with your values from day one
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Reinvest Levy funds to cover the cost of the apprenticeship
gained the transferable skills required for their job.
Source: ARU degree apprenticeships impact report
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Employer partners Joe, Dan, Emma and Tim explain why ARU apprenticeships work so well for their organisations, and highlight the benefits for SMEs and larger businesses.
Whether you’re new to social care or have experience, we’ll help you launch your career as a qualified social worker.
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Approved by Social Work England
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Earn while you learn, with the support of an employer
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Work-based approach delivers impact as you learn
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Get support from experienced academic and workplace staff
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Study for a BA (Hons), with no tuition fees
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Learn to work with others - police, healthcare, probation and schools
of alumni would recommend apprenticeships to their peers.
Source: ARU degree apprenticeships impact report
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Let our amazing apprentices inspire you! Kerry, Grace, Izabela, Ben, Rachel and Fleur explain what they love about doing an apprenticeship with ARU.
Talent development
Recruitment support for employers
Our dedicated apprenticeship team is on hand to help you attract the best candidates for your organisation. We can help with:
- crafting job advertisements
- promoting your vacancy to our quality candidate mailing lists
- adding your vacancy to the National Apprenticeship Service
- sharing opportunities across our social media channels.
Our consultants can also help you to assess candidates' suitability.
Creating a world-class apprenticeship
See how we helped Cambridge University Press recruit for their brand new degree apprenticeship.
Develop the skills and knowledge to become a SWE approved Social Worker.
Passionate about supporting vulnerable adults and children? The Social Worker Degree Apprenticeship offers a hands-on, work-based route into a rewarding career.
Programme content
Approved by SWE
Our programme is aligned to both the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours of the Apprenticeship Standard, and to the Professional Standards of Proficiency with Social Work England. It supports the development of social work skills across a wide range of settings, including services for adults, children and families, and mental health.
Approved by Social Work England
This course has been approved against Social Work England’s education and training standards. This means that when you successfully complete the course, you meet their professional standards and can apply to register with them. All social workers who want to work in England must be registered.
Entry requirements
Employers set out the person specifications for the role, but apprentices will need to meet our entry requirements to be accepted onto this course. You must provide evidence when you apply, to be invited to interview.
- Employment in a suitable role on a permanent contract exceeding 30 hours per week.
- Certificated evidence of grade 4/C in GCSE English, or other equivalent Level 2.*
- Evidence of Level 3 study in a related subject, eg A Levels, BTEC, NVQ.**
- Applicants whose first language is not English are required to demonstrate proficiency in the English Language through achievement of an IELTS score of 7. This level is set to meet Social Work England's professional standards for social workers.
- A completed Skills Scan and Initial Assessment discussion, post interview.
*All applicants must meet the eligibility criteria outlined by the DfE Apprenticeship Funding Rules applicable at the start of the course. If you have any questions about these entry requirements, please contact [email protected].
** We will also consider applicants with non-standard qualifications provided you have a significant amount of relevant experience, are well-supported by your employer, and demonstrate the ability to manage university-level study.
You must supply these before you can be registered on the course:
- an Enhanced DBS for the Adult and Child Workforce, signed up to the online update service (ARU will fund new applications if you cannot provide this)
- line manager confirmation of support.
Fees and funding
Degree apprenticeships are a smart investment. You can reinvest Levy funds to cover the cost of an apprenticeship or receive funding support from the Government.
If you operate in England and your annual payroll is over £3m, you pay a levy of 0.5% of your payroll into a levy account.
Apprenticeships are paid for by your employer. You won’t pay any tuition fees on this course.
Our team of experts is here to help form your organisation’s apprenticeship offering and guide you through the process.
Speak to your employer about this course and how it could be beneficial for your development.
Our expert consultants can meet with you and your employer to make setting up simple and straightforward.
Finding an apprenticeship role
To start an apprenticeship, you need to be in a suitable role and have the support of your employer.