The number of people starting social work apprenticeship courses in England is continuing to grow, show government figures.
In 2023-24, 1,390 people started apprenticeship courses, up 31% on the 1,060 who did so in 2022-23 and almost double the 740 who started courses in 2021-22, according to the Department for Education data.
At the same time, the number of apprentices achieving their qualification trebled, from 200 in 2021-22 to 650 in 2023-24; 570 apprentices qualified in 2022-23.
Overall, 5,580 people started social work courses in England – through the diverse range of routes – in 2021-22, with 3,860 successfully qualifying in the same year, according to Skills for Care. Figures are not available for subsequent years.
About social work apprenticeships
Social work apprenticeships are degree-level qualifications that enable social care staff to qualify as social workers while supported by their employers and earning a salary,
Apprentices spending at least 20% of their time in off-the-job training, delivered by a university or other learning provider, with their training costs fully financed through the apprenticeship levy, a 0.5% levy on the pay bills of larger employers, including councils.
They spend the rest of the time carrying out their substantive role, though employers also arrange social work placements for them, in line with Social Work England’s requirements for students to do 200 days of practice learning across their course.
Though the social work apprenticeship is a “level 6 qualification” – which is equivalent to an undergraduate course – it can be delivered at postgraduate level.
Though most apprenticeships are three-year, undergraduate courses, a number of postgraduate courses have now started up, delivering the qualification more quickly.
Graduates can still undertake an undergraduate apprenticeship, so long as their first degree was in a different subject.
Both the Department of Health and Social Care and the Department for Education have provided councils with additional funding to increase the number of social work apprentices they support.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole 
Hampshire County Council 
Oxfordshire County Council 
South Gloucestershire Council 
Wokingham Borough Council 
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I had the privilege recently of working in Islington SSD and came into contact with apprentice social workers. I was impressed by this apprentice , hard working, compassionate, great communicator in both in person and case recording. Clearly very dedicated and willing to go the extra mile for her clients . Congrats to T in Samhs team . A great Social worker of the future!
I am encouraged to see the uptake of Apprenticeships continuing to grow. I would be very interested in how many applicants have lived experience of being Looked after by SSD ?
As a 62 year old SW with a career over 30 years , I grew up in care, and suffered the hell that was 1960,s and 1970 s there was with little in the way of formal safeguarding and transitional support when you hit 18 years, you were on your own.
I have found that Social workers and Supervisors without lived experience of being looked after find supporting SW who have survived living in care a challenge. I have often felt unable to talk about that part of my SW experience with supervisors or managers . Most pathologies you and , view you as weak for trying to deal with challenging cases that stimulate traumatic memories.
Sadly , I had an awful experience in Islington SSD / Nhs where a a challenging event triggered a traumatic memory for me . The response was unsympathetic, and unhelpful . There is so little respect or willingness to acknowledge the unique perspective child survivors offer as social workers .
How is this being addressed in education and recruitment?
Are there SW post qualified, in training who have been in Cate who have similar experiences, thoughts??
How many Apprentices have been Looked After Children, Fostered, Had lived experiences of Social Services?
Interested to how may stay the course and remain in the profession post qualification?