Leah Wilkinson, 24, is a Social Worker Apprentice at Wiltshire Council. She started her apprenticeship journey in September 2022, she is studying at Level 6 meaning she will have a Degree at the end of the course.
What did you do before starting this apprenticeship?
When I finished my A-Levels I went to University at UWE, but I realised after 3 months that I wasn’t sure what I wanted to get out of it and that it wasn’t for me, so I worked full time for a short while until I found a Marketing Apprenticeship at Wiltshire College. This took 18 months to complete and then I got a job in Recruitment at Wiltshire Council.
I worked in the Recruitment Team for just under 3 years. At first, I oversaw recruitment for Leisure Services, then shortly after the first covid-19 lockdown I changed to oversee recruitment for Adult Social Care. I was putting together job adverts and learning about the different roles that Adult Social Care had to offer. I realised these roles looked so rewarding and that they made a such difference to people’s lives. I then decided that I wanted to change career paths into Adult Care. So, in April 2021 I became a Social Care Practitioner, after roughly 1 year in the role I applied for the Social Worker apprenticeship and I started in September 2022.
What does your day-to-day role look like?
I am still carrying out the practitioner role, I have my own caseload in which I carry out Care Act Assessments and care reviews, within the adults sector, I work mostly with elderly people in the community and in residential or nursing care homes. Making sure their packages of care are sufficient, they are kept safe and that their needs are fully met. I will be starting to shadow social workers and undertaking placements in children’s services during my course. I think entering the sector as a social care practitioner is a good start and gives you relevant experience.
How do you study for your apprenticeship?
I study at the University of Gloucestershire, every Tuesday I have a day out of work to study, 1 week out of 3 I travel to the campus the rest of the time we work remotely and have virtual study. There is a requirement for additional self-study outside of the day release.
What advice would you give to others considering an apprentice?
To think about their career aspirations, if they need a particular qualification look for an apprenticeship in that area. I think apprenticeships are great, you are paid to learn, gain a qualification and it’s all good experience.
