Choosing A DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP 

I have worked for Tameside Council for the past 16 years. I educate and support blind and vision-impaired children and young people throughout the borough, in their homes and educational settings. I mostly enjoy working with families and supporting inclusion. I saw a post advertising the Social Worker Degree Apprenticeship and was encouraged to apply for it. I am a single parent, and my children are older now; so, this was a perfect opportunity for me to further my career and do something I love.  

Whilst my background is different from most social worker apprentices, coming from an education background, I have found that the skills I have developed and the new skills that I am learning cross-over and have really benefited my work with children and families. I am using the knowledge and skills from the apprenticeship within my current role, and considering social justice, theories, and different approaches within my work.  

Being a Student Ambassador 

I’ve been really keen to support my peers and promote the value of degree apprenticeships in the social work sector, so when I was offered the opportunity to apply to be a British Association of Social Work (BASW) Student Ambassador, I jumped at the chance. I utilised this opportunity to bring my perspective of being a degree apprentice to the table, dispelling the myth that the degree apprenticeship is in any way an “easy route” into the profession.

I offered BASW an opportunity to give a voice to the Social Worker Degree Apprenticeship in their Professional Social Work Magazine, which is sent out to over 22,000 people. I was keen to include perspectives from former and current students, academics and employers and pulled a group together to contribute to the article that was recently published and has received great feedback.  

National Peer Group Support 

Being a BASW Student Ambassador has also given me the opportunity to network with student social workers across the UK, and to attend the National BASW Conference. I was able to meet with established social workers who were interested in the apprenticeship route, the ambassador scheme and the peer support group that my fellow ambassadors and I have set up.

I believe peer support is invaluable, especially in social work; you are often dealing with complex, emotional situations and that can be heavy, especially as a student. To support other student social workers, six of the BASW ambassadors have set up a national peer support group; we meet on the last Thursday of the month, and I really enjoy it. There is no agenda and students and NQSWs come on for a chat about anything; it can be to share or gain information and share experiences. It can be light, but people have also come on and brought issues or concerns and we have been able to offer support and signpost to advice.

I think getting that support from peers, somebody who’s in it with you, is important, especially as family or friends may not understand the role and the experiences you come across as a social worker.  

Support received from University and employer

The support while completing my degree apprenticeship from both Manchester Met and Tameside has been brilliant. Whether it’s my Skills Coach and mentor giving me positive feedback and pushing me to stretch myself to achieve my targets, or the academic team at the university supporting me through any concerns or issues, from lecturers right up to our Programme Leader.    

The support from Tameside’s Apprenticeship Manager and my mentor has been fantastic too, they are in regular contact to support my development through training and offer shadowing opportunities which align with my studies.  

When I first started the programme, I had imposter syndrome and wasn’t sure if I could do it. Now I have the confidence to put myself out there and would recommend others to do the same. The experience and knowledge I’ve gained through the degree apprenticeship have given me so much confidence. Thanks to the apprenticeship I was able to be an ambassador, attend the BASW conference, write an article, record a podcast with Social Work Sorted, and set up the national peer support group, which can only benefit my role as a future Social Worker.

Find out more about our Social Worker Degree Apprenticeship.