Tusla Child and Family Agency, in conjunction with UCC and the National Apprenticeship Office are delighted to launch the 2027 Apprenticeship in Social Work programme for our fourth year!

The Apprenticeship in Social Work programme is an exciting dual programme that will allow you to gain both fully paid on-the-job practical experience and skills with a level 9 Master of Social Work or Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work Studies award, both of which are CORU approved.

Tusla Child and Family Agency (apprenticeship employer) and UCC (education provider) work closely together to provide you with training and learning opportunities tailored to your individual needs, learning style and life situation.

Why should you choose this Apprenticeship?

Over half your learning takes place on-the-job

‘Earn while you learn’ Apprenticeship model with a formal contract of employment

The apprenticeship leads to a Master of Social Work and Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work Studies award, both of which are approved by CORU

Flexible delivery of ‘off the job’ learning with three days online and 2 days face to face in small groups

Who are the partners involved in the Apprenticeship in Social Work programme?

Tusla Child and Family Agency – Apprenticeship Employers

University College Cork, UCC – Education Providers

National Apprenticeship Office

Where can I get more information on the Apprenticeship in Social Work programme?

Full information is provided in the Candidate Information Pack attached at the bottom of this page.

For any queries on the Apprenticeship Programme, please contact Anne Brennan via anne.brennan3@tusla.ie

For any questions or queries on the UCC course content, please contact Maria Keane via apprenticeship@ucc.ie

The purpose of the post is to provide the employee with on the job learning opportunities as an apprentice in social work with access to shadow a social worker, learn social work skills while providing direct administration support to the social work services that seeks to improve the health and social wellbeing of the service users within the context of local communities.  The apprentice will also attend academic training and study in a Higher Education Institution during their apprenticeship training and be required to pass all academic examinations and meet CORU standards of proficiency during work-integrated learning/placement blocks, and to maintain records of progression and development.

The Apprentice will act as the administrative champion for the Professionally Qualified Social Worker/s and Social Work Staff within his/her designated area and will work closely with the Social Work team, business support team and with Area Management on local and national initiatives to:

• Provide administrative support to the Social Worker/Team
• Provide on-going support requirement

• Attend all of the social work education and training courses in a Higher Education Institute and demonstrating professional standards of proficiency (as set down by CORU) during work-integrated learning blocks on the job, leading to qualification as a professionally qualified social worker.

Failure to pass all academic requirements may result in a pause in employment and a change in employment status subject to the employer’s needs and requirements at that time.

The post-holder will work closely with the local Social Work/ Area Management in maintaining high quality documentation and data for children and families in a child protection & welfare setting.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Professional / Clinical

• Transcription of case notes and other Signs of Safety documentation for the Social Work team.
• Completion of the standard business process records, handling of attachments, report building and execution to National Integrated Information System Management and processing of the Referral Portal and Post referrals received, including the issuing of Acknowledgement letters.
• Preparation of documentation, appointments, and forms for various Social Work meetings including Garda and RED (review, evaluate, direct) Recording of Visits, Family/Network, and other Social Work meetings.

• Ensure TCM data and reports meet national standards and criteria; identify issues; implement solutions to improve quality; review impact of solutions periodically.
• Ensure that archives and records are accurate and readily available. Help improve filing and archiving practice in the Area through supporting and advising local Social Worker teams in best practice.
• Participate in conference calls, workshops, events and meetings as required with Social Worker and other relevant external and internal stakeholders.
• Maintain a high standard of documentation, including service user files in accordance with local guidelines, the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and Tusla Records Management Policies
• Facilitating accurate, clear, concise and purposeful reports.
• Ensure the maintenance of service user and data confidentiality.
• Assist in ensuring that the social work service makes the most efficient and effective use of developments in IT.
• Effectively co-ordinate responses to enquiries received, the processing of initial receipt of referral calls including standard questions, transferring calls between Area’s as necessary and/or relevant.
• Collation and Maintenance of required data and metrics
• Management of the relevant diary, meeting requests, associated briefing material, issue of correspondence / circulars from the Social Worker, Social Work Team Lead and/or the Principal Social Worker.
• Maintain own knowledge of relevant procedures, practices, and legislation to perform the role effectively and to ensure standards are met.
• Ensure consistent adherence to procedures within area of responsibility.
• Ensure that service-users are treated with dignity and respect.
• Deliver social work administrative service in collaboration with other disciplines / agencies as required, in appropriate settings reflecting the needs of the service user.
• Provide practical help with and attend case conferences, meetings, court, tribunals, and other relevant fora as required.
• Work within current legislation, relevant policies and procedures, guidelines and protocols as laid down by the employer.
• Promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the workplace.
• Carry out any other tasks as directed by the Social Worker, Social Work Team Leader or the Principal Social Worker
• Incorporate Tusla values and ethical principles in planning, developing, implementing and reviewing interventions.
• Take direction from his / her line manager.

Education & Training

• To maintain continuous personal development and participate in team-based development, education, supervision (including group/peer supervision), training, and learning.
• To complete all mandatory training on the job
• To register for a Level-9 social work programme in a HEI registered with the NAO to provide social work apprenticeship education; and once registered to attend and successfully pass the requirement credits/modules attached to the social work apprenticeship programme (including work-integrated learning/placement blocks).
• To meet CORU standards of proficiency during work-integrated blocks.
• To maintain, in conjunction with their Line Manager, a continuous record of experience and assessment of on the job learning, including their reflections of their experience and to make this record available for examination (including external examination).
• To maintain excellent IT skills relevant to the role.

Health & Safety

• Comply with and contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.

• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the service for example National Standards for Child Protection and Care and comply with associated Tusla – Child and Family Agency protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
• To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office. 

Applicants must by the closing date of application have the following:

Entry Requirements to Master of Social Work (MSW)

Applicants must have one of the following:

A Level 8 honours degree in Social Science (or an equivalent qualification), with a Second-Class Honours Grade 1 or above, and at least three months' relevant work experience in social work or a social work-related field.

OR

Completed an approved Level 8 conversion programme, such as the UCC Higher Diploma in Social Policy, with a Second-Class Honours Grade 1 or above, and have at least three months' relevant work experience in social work or a social work-related field.

OR

A Level 9 major award with a Second-Class Honours Grade 1 or above, including at least 20 credits (or equivalent to 20 ECTS credits) in Social Policy, and I have at least three months' relevant work experience in social work or a social work-related field.

OR

A Level 8 honours degree in Social Science (or an equivalent qualification), but my degree result is below a Second-Class Honours Grade 1, and I have at least three months' relevant work experience in social work or a social work-related field.

OR

Completed an approved Level 8 conversion programme, such as the Higher Diploma in Social Policy, but my result is below a Second-Class Honours Grade 1, and I have at least three months' relevant work experience in social work or a social work-related field.

Consideration under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may also be given to applicants who:

Have a Level 9 major award in any subject and I have at least 12 months' relevant experience in social work or a social work-related field.

OR

Have a Level 8 honours degree in any subject and at least 12 months' relevant experience in social work or a social work-related field.

OR

Have a Level 7 ordinary degree in Social Science (or an equivalent field), with an overall result of Second-Class Honours Grade 1 or above, and at least three years' relevant experience in social work or a social work-related field.

OR

Do not have a degree, but I have at least five years' relevant experience in social work or a social work-related field.

Health

A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Character

Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

Other requirements of the role

• Have access to appropriate transport to fulfil the requirements of the role including mandatory attendance at UCC for completion of academic programme.

• Proficiency in the English language is a requirement and candidates must meet the UCC requirement: PG English Language Entry Requirements | UCC | University College Cork | Ireland

Have awareness of children and young people’s participatory practice