At a Glance
- Tasks: Champion children's rights and support their personal development through engaging activities.
- Company: Join Northamptonshire Children's Trust, a supportive and inclusive organisation dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days annual leave, health benefits, and extensive learning opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and a dynamic environment with career growth potential.
- Why this job: Use your lived experience to empower young people and shape better services for the future.
- Qualifications: Must have lived experience of care and good communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Job Reference: Ref/77/8974
Number of Positions: 1
Contract Type: Temporary 12 month fixed term contract
Salary Range: Salary from £19,451
Working Hours: 37
Location: Northampton
Closing Date: 09/08/2026
Job Category: Social Care - Children
Organisation: Northamptonshire Children's Trust
We are committed to continuous improvement, building a skilled, knowledgeable, and flexible workforce alongside promoting innovation and creativity whilst keeping children, young people and families at the heart of all we do. We really value our workforce and offer you a great benefits package including:
- 28 days annual leave, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time) and an additional 5 days after 5 years
- Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health pension protection
- Opportunity to purchase up to 25 days annual leave
- Employee Assistance Programme - We have an employee support programme run by Health Assured, an independent, external organisation. Health Assured is available for you and your immediate family members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, legal advice, bereavement support and medical information
- Employee discounts with local and national retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more
- Flexible and family working arrangements including enhanced maternity benefits
- A permanent, supportive and inclusive management team where you will be empowered to make good professional decisions
- Extensive Learning & Development and career development opportunities
- Subsidised town centre car parking scheme
About the role
Could your lived experience of care be the key to improving support and outcomes for the next generation? In this apprenticeship, you’ll become a vital part of the Children’s Rights Team — a team dedicated to championing the voices, rights and lived experiences of children in care and care leavers. You’ll play an active role in making sure young people are heard, included and empowered to shape the services that matter to them. You’ll also work closely with the Social Work Academy, contributing to the development of newly qualified social workers. By sharing insights from lived experience, you’ll help strengthen practice and ensure the voice of the child is at the heart of social work. While gaining hands-on experience, you’ll work towards a Level 3 Youth Support Worker qualification, building skills that will support your future career in youth work, participation, social care or related fields.
What will you be doing?
- Champion children’s rights and participation by helping young people influence decisions about their lives.
- Engage and build relationships with young people, supporting their personal, social and educational development.
- Help plan and deliver activities, sessions and projects that create safe, inclusive spaces where young people can grow in confidence and resilience.
- Support outreach and engagement, which may include some evening or weekend activities.
- Collaborate with the Social Work Academy, contributing to training and induction sessions that promote understanding of care experience and the voice of the child.
- Promote equality and inclusion in everything you do, ensuring every young person feels valued and respected.
- Maintain accurate records, work safely, and follow safeguarding processes to protect young people’s wellbeing.
- Take part in training, reflective supervision and development opportunities as you complete your apprenticeship.
Working Pattern
This is a full-time apprenticeship working 37 hours per week, normally Monday to Thursday, 9:00am to 5:00pm and Fridays, 9:00am to 5:00pm. The role includes occasional evening participation groups and opportunities to support community events and training activities at weekends (once or twice a year). Flexibility will be provided to ensure working hours remain within the contracted 37-hour week.
About you
You’re passionate about making a difference — especially for young people who are care experienced. You bring your own lived experience of care (this means you have been looked after by a Local Authority, lived in foster care, residential care, kinship care under Local Authority arrangements, or are a care leaver. Experience of working with children in care or within Children's Services alone does not meet this requirement), and you want to use it to shape better support, better services, and better outcomes for others. You communicate well with both young people and professionals and enjoy working as part of a team, learning from others. Motivated and reliable you are willing to get involved in a variety of activities and bring an understanding of the issues facing young people today, particularly those with care experience. You follow guidance and work safely, especially when supporting vulnerable young people. You believe in equality, inclusion and the importance of giving every young person a chance to be heard. You’re comfortable using basic digital tools and open to building your IT skills as you grow in the role. You have GCSE English and Maths or equivalent — or you are willing to work towards these during the apprenticeship. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore subject to an enhanced DBS certificate. It is also a regulated activity and will be subject to a Barred List check.
When applying please ensure your supporting statement includes details on how you fulfil the essential criteria set out in the job description person specification as this will be used for shortlisting. You will need to provide a full employment history including any gaps since leaving full time education.
About us
At Northamptonshire Children’s Trust, children, young people and families are at the heart of everything we do. Every decision we make and every action we take is guided by our commitment to delivering high-quality services that make a lasting difference to the lives of children, young people and families across Northamptonshire. We know that our people are our greatest strength. Our workforce is at the centre of our success, and we are committed to creating an environment where colleagues feel valued, supported and empowered to do the best job of their lives every day. We foster a culture built on kindness, collaboration and trust, where achievements are recognised, ideas are welcomed and innovation is encouraged. We are proud of the positive impact we make together and delighted that our work has been recognised by Ofsted, with an Outstanding rating for Leadership and Management and Good ratings across Help and Protection, Children in Care and Care Leavers. At NCT equality, diversity and inclusion are part of us and in everything we do, to enable all colleagues to develop and thrive in our organisation. We are a Disability Confident employer and have a commitment to care leavers, who we guarantee an interview if they meet the essential criteria. If you are passionate about making a difference and want to be part of an ambitious, supportive and forward-thinking organisation, Northamptonshire Children’s Trust could be the place for you.
Supporting Children – A Career That Matters
Care Experienced Apprentice in Youth Work in Northampton employer: Northamptonshire Children's Trust
Northamptonshire Children's Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to the welfare of children and families, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises continuous improvement and professional development. As a Children's Safeguarding Social Worker, you will benefit from collaborative relationships with various professionals, ensuring meaningful impact in your role while enjoying opportunities for growth in a community-focused environment. Join us in making a difference where your expertise is valued and your contributions lead to positive change.
Contact Details:
Northamptonshire Children's Trust Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Care Experienced Apprentice in Youth Work in Northampton
✨Get Involved in Community Events
Jump into local community events or volunteering opportunities. Social work is all about connecting with people, so being visible in your community helps us make the right contacts. Plus, it’s a great way to show your passion!
✨Connect with Social Work Networks
Tap into social work networks like local councils or universities that offer apprenticeship programmes. They often post unique opportunities and can connect us with mentors who can guide our journey and potentially lead to the apprenticeship at Northamptonshire Children's Trust.
✨Tailor Your Approach to Apprenticeships
When applying for an apprenticeship, focus on showcasing your relevant experiences in your CV and during interviews. Highlight any volunteer work or practical experiences related to social work to stand out to Northamptonshire Children's Trust.
✨Follow Up After Your Application
Once you’ve applied for an apprenticeship at Northamptonshire Children's Trust, don’t just sit back! Follow up with a friendly email or a call to express your enthusiasm. It shows initiative and helps keep you on their radar.
We think you need these skills to ace Care Experienced Apprentice in Youth Work in Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:When applying for an apprenticeship in social work, make sure to express your genuine passion for helping others. Use your cover letter to tell a story about why you’re drawn to this field and how your personal experiences have shaped your desire to pursue a career in social work. This personal touch can make a big difference!
Highlight Relevant Experience:Even if you don't have formal work experience in social work, be sure to showcase any volunteering or community involvement. Mention any relevant skills you've developed, like communication, empathy, or conflict resolution. These are key in social work, and showcasing them can really strengthen your application to Northamptonshire Children's Trust.
Tailor Your CV to Social Work:Craft your CV with a focus on social work-related skills and experiences. Include sections for relevant qualifications, such as any certifications, training, or workshops you've attended. Make sure to highlight your ability to work in diverse teams and support vulnerable individuals, all of which are essential in this field.
Be Ready to Learn:In your application, emphasise your enthusiasm for learning and growing within the social work sector. As an apprentice, it’s important for us at StudySmarter to see that you are eager to absorb knowledge and develop your skills. Let us know how this apprenticeship aligns with your career goals in social work.
How to prepare for a job interview at Northamptonshire Children's Trust
✨Show Your Passion for Helping People
In social work, empathy and a genuine desire to help others are crucial. When chatting with Northamptonshire Children's Trust, make sure to convey your passion for community support and social justice. Share any relevant experiences, even volunteer work, where you've made a difference.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
You might face some scenario-based questions during your interview that assess how you'd handle real-life situations, such as conflict resolution or crisis management. Practise responding to potential scenarios that are common in social work, so you feel confident when tackling these types of questions with the interviewers.
✨Highlight Your Willingness to Learn
As you're aiming for an apprenticeship, your eagerness to learn is a huge asset! Be open about what you hope to gain from the role at Northamptonshire Children's Trust and how you're excited to develop your skills. This shows them that you're not just there to fill a spot but genuinely enthusiastic about growing in the field.
✨Prepare to Discuss Relevant Theories and Tools
Brush up on key theories and tools used in social work, such as the person-centred approach or community assessments. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these in practise. This doesn't just show your knowledge but also signals your readiness to delve into the nitty-gritty of the job right from the outset.
