The Graduate Trainee Scheme offered by Norfolk County Council in partnership with the University of East Anglia offers successful applicants one year’s paid employment to gain experience before undertaking the MA in Social Work programme at UEA.

 Are you motivated to train to become a Social Worker but need some more experience before training?

Are you a graduate or expecting to graduate, with a good degree (2:2) and interested in training for a career in social work?

 If you would like to find out more, we are running an online information session on Tuesday 23rd May 2023, 6 to 7pm – please email hannah.smith@norfolk.gov.uk to book a place.

 Year in employment

In the first year of the scheme, you will work in either a Children’s Services or Adult Social Services team. For this year in employment, the salary will be £27,344 (G grade).

 In Children’s Services you would be a Graduate Trainee - Family Help & High Needs providing direct work to children, young people, and families in their homes, in the community or in residential care. You may be based in one of a range of team within the Family Help and High Needs Service. You will undertake direct work/interventions with children and families to effect positive change and contribute to assessments and plans. You will work closely with social work colleagues within 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.

 As a Graduate Trainee Assistant Practitioner in Adult Social Services, 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 to come up with person centred Care and Support plans to meet eligible needs. You will experience working with other professionals which may include Occupational Therapists, Mental Health Nurses, General Practitioners, District Nurses and Community Matrons, looking at the holistic needs of the service user and coming up with different options in which to support the service user. 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

Subject to satisfactory performance in this work, you will then take up a place on UEA's 2-year MA in Social Work programme in September 2024. For further information about the MA programme please go to: MA Social Work - UEA

 You will not be employed while undertaking the MA, but to support you with the cost of fees and living expenses, Norfolk County Council will provide you with a retainer payment of £6,500 for each of the 2 years of the MA programme. You will also be able to apply for an NHS bursary* to further help with the costs.

 In return for the retainer payment, you will need to sign a contract confirming that you will return to work in a Children’s or Adult’s social work teams for a minimum of 2 years on successful completion of the course and suc­cessful job interview.

 *Please note there are no guarantees of receiving an NHS bursa­ry and it will be the applicant’s responsibility to cover any shortfall of the university fees to UEA from the bursary amount awarded.

 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 GCSE at grade C/4 or above (functional skills will only be accepted for Maths)

·       A full current UK driving licence

 Further information and to apply

Book a place on the online information session on Tuesday 23rd May 2023, 6 to 7pm – email hannah.smith@norfolk.gov.uk

 To discuss this scheme, please contact Hannah Smith on 01603 224123 or hannah.smith@norfolk.gov.uk   

 To apply, please request an application pack by emailing ug.admissions@uea.ac.uk - please write in the email subject line ‘Norfolk Graduate Trainee Scheme– SWK'.  For queries about the application process please contact the UEA on (01603) 591515 or ug.admissions@uea.ac.uk

 Application closing date: Friday 16th June 2023

Interview date: Monday 3rd July 2023