The Impact of Social Work Apprenticeships

In November 2024, Tusla increased social work apprenticeship opportunities across the country with the expansion of the ‘Earn While You Learn’ Level 9 Master of Social Work Apprenticeship Programme. The apprenticeship programme offers multiple entry routes, including opportunities for people without a university qualification but who have sufficient relevant experience, either paid or voluntary.

The social work apprenticeship was developed by People and Change as part of Tusla’s People Strategy to support recruitment and retention of staff, and is a key pillar of the Agency’s Integrated Reform Programme. The enrolment of more than 70 new social work apprentices is double that of the inaugural Level 9 apprenticeship programme that saw 36 apprentices begin their studies in September 2024. It reflects the demand by Tusla for more social workers across its various teams, including adoption, fostering, child protection and family support.

The 24-month CORU-approved programme is designed to equip participants with the skills and knowledge required to excel as a social work professional. With half the apprenticeship spent on the job, the ‘earn while you learn’ model includes a formal contract of employment, peer-to-peer learning, dedicated workplace mentors and full employee supports.

With a background in drama and community work, Louise brings a wealth of life experience to the course and to her future career with Tusla. Originally from Cork, Louise spent 25 years in the United Kingdom, where she graduated from drama school and worked as an actor on some notable TV soap operas. During this time, Louise did outreach work in communities through forum theatre – a type of theatre that encourages audience interaction and explores different options for dealing with a problem or issue.

Speaking about her experience in outreach work, Louise said, ‘We might do a drama about homelessness, using people who are affected by the issue as the actors and then asking the audience to give their opinion of the problem; it was very powerful.’

With such a broad skillset, Louise felt well suited to the apprenticeship programme: ‘I love it. It’s very practical, with lab skills and scenario-based content in which one person acts as a social worker and the other as the service user. I’ll be going on my placement in January in Skibbereen, which I’m looking forward to.’

Once Louise has completed her two years in UCC she will commence a two-year contract with Tusla.

Another apprenticeship candidate is Daulet, a care-experienced person who originally came to Ireland as an asylum seeker when he was a boy. His struggles growing up in the direct provision process led him initially towards youth work, completing a BA degree in Community Youth Work at Dundalk Institute of Technology, and a postgraduate Diploma in Refugee Integration.

Speaking about his experience so far in the programme, Daulet said, ‘The apprenticeship is great. Some students have Level 7 qualification, others have more; some worked as managers in child welfare-related fields, but we are all in the same boat, doing the same modules.

‘The course is very practical and with a welcoming environment. The course content is great but the modules I find most interesting are those in Child and Family Welfare, and Practical Skills and Fieldwork.’

The course has also broadened Daulet’s understanding of the applications of social work across society: ‘It is so, so interesting. You really develop as a person and get a great understanding of social work in Ireland – whether it’s legislation, practice, and social issues, you get to see them all through a different lens.

‘In doing this course, I’m representing care leavers in a way. For those who meet the requirements and are interested but are hesitant, I would highly recommend this course as it’s very beneficial and I do believe you might grow just as I have in doing it.’