Routes into social work

There are a number of routes into the social work profession, both for those interested in qualifying and for those who are thinking about returning to practice after a career break.

This guide provides you with information on pathways open to employees who already work for us and also for people who are interested in joining us in Norfolk as social workers.

Join us as a newly qualified social worker in:

• Children's Services
• Current vacancies

To practise as a social worker in England you must have successfully completed a Social Work England approved degree level course.

There are undergraduate courses (level 6) that usually take three years to complete full time. If you already hold a full degree in another subject there are post graduate (level 7) courses that usually take 2 years to complete full time.

All courses combine academic study with practice-based learning on work placements. We have strong links through our Teaching Partnership with our local universities and colleges to provide placements for this practice learning.

Once you have successfully completed your qualification you then apply to Social Work England to become a registered Social Worker to practise in England.

Social Work England provides a list of all approved undergraduate or postgraduate social work qualification programmes on their website. See all approved courses.

Entry requirements

Each university has different entry requirements for social work degrees but for BA programmes you're likely to need two or three A-Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications, and five supporting GCSEs including English and maths. Some universities might accept other qualifications such as a BTEC, HND, NVQ or health and social care access course.

For post graduate programmes you will need an undergraduate degree.

Experience

Previous experience in an area relating to social work is extremely important if you want to become a social worker.

You could look for paid positions or voluntary work in places such as community care settings, charities that work with vulnerable adults or children, or children's centres. Any roles that show you can build relationships and demonstrate empathy, along with a genuine desire to improve the quality of the lives of others, are helpful. Find relevant voluntary work through Volunteering Matters.

You may want to look for a role at Norfolk County Council. Not only will this enable you to gain experience, it may also enable you to become eligible to apply for our supported social work training routes for employees. Our jobs, training and volunteering pages have information on all jobs that are currently being advertised and you can set up alerts to let you know if something new comes up.

Funding options

There are some funding options that may be available to help with fees and living expenses:

• Social Work Bursary - provided by the NHS Business Services Authority, it doesn't depend on your household income and doesn't need to be paid back
• Tuition Fee Loan - for BA programmes
• Post-graduate Loans - for MA programmes

The Social Work Apprenticeship enables you to study for a fully funded BA (Hons) or Masters in social work with our partner higher education provider, University of East Anglia (UEA), while working full-time for Norfolk County Council and receiving a salary.

Through the 3-year apprenticeship programme you will gain experience of working in a range of social work services within the local authority, including time in both Adult Social Services and Children's Services. You will also regularly attend teaching sessions, workshops, seminars and tutorials at UEA to develop your skills and knowledge. You will be supported throughout the programme by mentors in the workplace.

When you complete the integrated degree apprenticeship successfully, you will be awarded a BA (Hons) or MA in Social Work and a guaranteed post as a newly qualified social worker (NQSW).

Pay and conditions

Social Work Apprentices are employed on a full-time fixed term contract. This is 3 years for the BA or 2 years for the MA.

The salary is G grade (£27,344 to £29,439, as of 1 April 2023).

The apprenticeship posts will be based across the county in a range of locations.

Eligibility

We are looking for resilient and motivated people who have experience in social care and can demonstrate the skills and knowledge for entry to the social work degree. See PCF - Point of entry to training on the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) website.

You will need to have at least two years direct experience of working with children and families or adults with care and support needs.

For the BA, you will need to demonstrate your academic ability by having level 3 qualifications that are equivalent to 96 UCAS points (eg 3 A Levels at grade C or equivalent including BTEC, NVQ, Access to HE), or higher.

For the MA, you will need a minimum of 2:2 undergraduate degree qualification.

For both, you will also need to have GCSEs in English or English Language and Mathematics at grade C or above, or the new grade 4 and above, or an approved equivalent such as functional skills level 2.

We will need to see your qualification certificates. You can order replacements online, if you need to.

You will need a driving licence and use of a vehicle - or confirm that you'll be able to travel for work if you do not have a vehicle. 

How to apply

Complete a job application through NCC's online recruitment site.

The posts are advertised annually in the spring (typically February / March). Interviews take place in May / June with posts offered to successful applicants in June / July. The MA programme starts in September and the BA programme starts in January each year.

This route provides support to Norfolk County Council employees (on a permanent contract and who have been with us for at least one year) who would like to be able to continue to work in their current job while taking part in a social work qualifying programme through the Open University (OU).

We offer support in the form of paid time off for practice placements for any of the OU's social work qualifying routes, allowing our employees to continue working and earning while studying. We'll provide and arrange both practice placements. This offer is open to both part-time and full-time employees.

You will need to self-fund the course fees and will be expected to complete most of the academic study in your own time. However, this flexible, distance learning option may be ideal for you.

Courses

BA (Hons) in Social Work - This route takes 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time. The programme starts in October or February, but you will need to start in October if you would like to complete it in 3 years.

MA in Social Work - This route takes 2 and a half years. The programme starts in February and is made up of three modules. The final module, Transforming professional practice, includes a 'guided enquiry', which is similar to a dissertation.

Post-graduate Diploma in Social Work - This route takes 17 months. The programme starts in February and is made up of the first two modules of the MA route, but without the final module.

Eligibility

• You need to have worked for us for at least one year at the time of application
• You will need to have a permanent contract with us
• You will need to have at least one year's experience of working directly with children, young people, families, carers, or adults in need of care and support. Ideally this experience would be in your current role, but some could be in a voluntary capacity.
• If you work part-time, you will need to be able to attend placement at least 4 days per week during the two practice placements
• You will need to meet the OU entry requirements for your chosen route
• You will need to be able to fund the course fees and other costs associated with the course

Funding options

Flexible payment and funding options are available to help with fees. However, please note that students doing the Post-graduate Diploma route are not eligible for a post-graduate loan. This is only available if you are doing the full MA route.

• Tuition Fee Loan for BA route
• Post-graduate loans for MA route
• Open University Student Budget Account for any route

How to apply

You must apply for OU social work qualifying programmes through your employer. You cannot apply directly to the OU.

Request support from Norfolk County Council by completing an expression of interest form (available on myNet) by 31st May each year.

If your request for support is successful you will be asked to complete the OU application pack and will be invited to a selection day, which will include an interview and written assessment.

The Graduate Trainee Scheme offered by Norfolk County Council is in partnership with the University of East Anglia (UEA). The scheme offers successful applicants a retainer payment of £7,200 per year for the 2 years of the MA in Social Work programme at UEA. For those who need to gain some work experience, we offer the option of one year's paid employment before starting the MA.

Eligibility

Successful applicants must have:

• A 2:2 degree completed in the last six years. If applicants fall outside of this time frame, then they will need to show evidence of recent study.
• English Language and Maths GCSES at grade C/4 or above (functional skills will only be accepted for Maths)
• A full current UK driving licence

For those wishing to go straight onto the MA in Social Work without the year in employment:

• At least one year's experience of working directly with children, young people, families, carers, or adults in need of care and support. This could be as either employment or voluntary work.

Your year in employment

If you are taking the year in employment before you start the MA, you will work in either a Children's Services or Adults social services team. Progression to the MA in Social Work will be subject to satisfactory performance in this role.

Children's Services

In Children's Services you would be a Graduate Trainee based in one of the teams in the Family Help and High Needs Service. You will undertake direct work/interventions with children and families, in the community or in residential care, to effect positive change and contribute to assessments and plans. You will work closely with social work colleagues in Children's Services and with partner agencies such as schools and Children's Centres in the community to support the children and families you are working with. You will be expected to record your work on the case management system.

Adult Social Services

In Adult Social Services you would be a Graduate Trainee Assistant Practitioner. Where you will gain experience of working within a social care team with a range of service users.

The work will include undertaking strength-based assessments and reviews under the Care Act, determining eligibility and working with the service user, their family and friends, and a range of other professionals to come up with person centred Care and Support plans to meet eligible needs. During your time you will gain a knowledge of the local community and what is on offer that may support the service user with their independence and prevent, reduce, and delay the need for more formal care and support.     

MA in Social Work

Visit the UEA website for more information about the MA in Social Work programme

Financial information

If you are taking the year in employment, you will be employed on a fixed-term 12-month contract. Posts are available in a range of locations across the county. For the year in employment, the salary will be grade G (£29,269 as of 1st April 2023).

You will not be employed while you take the MA, but we will provide you with a retainer payment for each of the 2 years in the MA programme. This would be £7,200 per year to support you with the cost of fees and living expenses.

You will also be able to apply for an NHS bursary to further help with costs. (There are no guarantees you would receive an NHS bursary. It will be your responsibility to cover any shortfall between the university fees and bursary amount awarded.)

In return for the retainer payment, you will need to sign a contract confirming that you will return to work for us in one of our social work teams for a minimum of 2 years after you successfully complete the course and job interview.

How to apply

The scheme is advertised annually in the spring.

To apply, complete a job application through NCC's online recruitment site.

You will be asked to include the following with your application:

• A CV or document outlining your relevant experience and all your relevant academic qualifications including subjects and grades.
• Copies your relevant qualification certificates including degree and maths and English GCSES or equivalent.
• A personal statement explaining why you are interested in social work, how your previous studies and experience relate to social work (if applicable), relevant aspects of previous work or voluntary experience, activities and hobbies that show your interest in the subject, and any training or achievements that show your skill.

If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to attend an interview and group activity. Shortlisted applicants will be asked to write an essay, complete a suitability declaration, and provide 2 references prior to interview. Interviews will be conducted jointly between NCC and UEA.

Step Up to Social Work is an intensive, 14-month, full-time programme, which is funded by the Department for Education (DfE).

The programme aims to encourage graduates with related experience to enter the social work profession to work with children and families. However, it provides candidates with a generic social work qualification which can be used to work with either children and families or adults.

The programme runs every 2 years, dependent on government funding. The programme is delivered by Anglia Ruskin University, working in partnership with local authorities in the Eastern region. The next programme is expected to start in January 2026.

You will learn through a combination of academic study and real hands-on experience, with two placements in Norfolk County Council teams.

Funding

All course fees are funded by DfE, and you will receive a bursary of £19,833 over the duration of the programme to support your living costs.

Eligibility

You will need:

• A degree-level qualification in any discipline except social work from a UK higher education institute or an approved overseas equivalent
• A minimum 2:1 level 6 degree qualification, for example, an honours degree or a graduate certificate, or, a minimum 2:2 honours degree plus a postgraduate qualification (level 7 or above) for example, a master's degree or a postgraduate certificate/postgraduate diploma
• GCSEs in English or English Language and Mathematics at grade C or above, or the new grade 4 and above (or an approved equivalent)
• A completed degree - final year students are not eligible to apply
• Evidence of your qualifications, such as certificates. This is mandatory for overseas qualifications. You will need to upload this evidence when you submit your application.
• A minimum of 6 months' full-time (or equivalent) direct experience of working with vulnerable children, young people and/or families/carers or adults, either in a paid or voluntary capacity
• A driving licence and use of a vehicle in some locations - or confirm that you'll be able to travel for work if you do not have a vehicle
• An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

You must also live in England.

How to apply

The scheme will be advertised on the Step up to Social Work website. The next application window is expected to open in early 2025.

We can offer tailored support to help you re-register and get back into practice.

You may have taken a career break. Maybe you qualified a while ago then chose a different path. Or maybe you've never worked in a statutory role. We are interested in people with a range of social work backgrounds who are keen to get back into practice.

If you need to re-register with Social Work England (SWE), we will employ you as a Social Work Assistant so you get the hours of experience you need, and we will help you to re-register.

Once you have a SWE registration, you will get dedicated support from a Practice Consultant - a senior social worker whose specific role is to help you with your learning and development. You will receive a tailored plan so you can work on areas where you need to gain skills or experience.

We want your return to social work to be successful and for you to build on the skills and strengths you already have. You'll be part of a social work team, so you will learn from colleagues and you'll have the support of a team manager.

You will receive regular supportive and reflective supervision on both an individual and group supervision basis. You will have a protected caseload that will develop as you do, allowing time for you to learn and develop your practice confidence.

When you are ready, you will progress to a Level 2 Social Worker and receive a significant pay increment.

As a social worker within Norfolk Children's Services, you will receive a range of development opportunities and access to various avenues for career progression.

Norfolk takes a restorative approach to working with children and families, based on Signs of Safety. This means that while your direct work with children and young people will be central, you will also be working alongside families and their networks to help them find solutions that keep their children safe and well, long-term.

How to apply

If you would like an informal discussion on the next steps email us at cs.sw.recruitment@norfolk.gov.uk, or go to our jobs site and apply online.

You would be joining our Family Assessment and Safeguarding Team (FAST).

You will receive dedicated support from a practice consultant - a senior social worker whose role is to help you with your learning and development.

We will give you a personal plan to help you adapt your skills to working in the UK.

You'll be part of a social work team within your locality, so you will learn from your team manager and colleagues.

You will receive regular supportive and reflective supervision from your practice consultant and one-to-one case supervision with your manager.

You will also have regular group supervision and a protected caseload that will develop as you do. This will give you time to get used to new systems, processes, and legislation.

Pay and benefits

Your starting salary will be £31,895. There is a £2,000 welcome payment and up to £10,000 for relocation.

You will receive regular planned reviews where we'll assess your progress. When you no longer need the programme's support you will progress to a Level 2 Social Worker role (salary £33,486 -£35,336).

As a social worker within Norfolk Children's Services, you will have a range of opportunities for development opportunities and career progression.

Relocation

We will give you a certificate of sponsorship and a generous relocation allowance of up to £10,000 to help you and your family move to our beautiful county. You will be able to claim back the cost of your flights and visa. We can also help to arrange temporary accommodation and transfers from the airport for you. We offer practical support and advice to make sure your relocation is as smooth as possible.

How to apply

You will need to be registered with Social Work England before you apply.

You will also need:

• An honours degree or diploma in social work or qualification in social work recognised by Social Work England
• A minimum of one years' experience of working as a social worker with children and families
• A valid driving licence

We shortlist applications monthly. We complete a written assessment of shortlisted candidates. If you are successful, you will be invited to a competency-based interview over video.

Apply now