Social Care Apprenticeship

Job purpose: Our Social Care Apprenticeship is an exciting opportunity to start a rewarding career in social care, combining paid employment with learning and a recognised qualification.

As a Social Care Apprentice, you will earn while you learn in a paid Care Assistant, Support Worker or similar role within a care home or care service, supporting people to live well and helping them with their everyday lives. Depending on the opportunity you apply for, you could be supporting older people, younger adults with learning and/or physical disabilities, or people with mental health support needs.

You'll become part of an experienced care team and spend your first few months getting to know the people you support, completing your induction and training, shadowing colleagues and developing your confidence in the role.

Alongside your practical experience, you'll work towards an SCQF Level 6 Social Services and Healthcare qualification with UHI Inverness, with dedicated classroom learning built into your contracted working hours.

You don't need to have worked in social care before. This apprenticeship has been created as an entry route into the sector and is open to people at different ages and stages of life, whether you're leaving school, returning to work or looking for a change of career.

The programme runs for one year, from January to December 2027. The first three months are focused on induction, training, shadowing and getting to know your workplace and the people you support.

Regular classes with UHI Inverness then begin in April to support you through your qualification.

If you're looking for a job where you can learn, grow and make a positive difference, your career in care could start here.

Opportunities are available at the follow care services:

Culduthel Care Home, Inverness

Aden House Care Home, Inverness

Mayfield Lodge Care Home, Inverness

Maple Ridge Care Home, Inverness

Morar Highland care Home, Inverness

Kinmylies Lodge, Inverness

St Olaf Care Home, Nairn

The Manor, Nairn

Carolton Care Homes, Nairn

Fairburn House, Marybank, Ross-Shire

Seaforth House, Maryburgh, Ross Shire

Urray House, Muir of Ord, Ross-Shire

Nansen Highland Day Service, Redcastle, Muir of Ord

Eilean Dubh Care Home, Fortrose

Innis Mhor Care Home, Tain

Earn. Learn. Make a Difference.

What will I learn? Throughout your apprenticeship, you'll learn and develop the skills needed to build a career in social care.

Through a combination of practical experience, workplace training and your qualification, you'll have the opportunity to develop skills including:

Communication and relationship building – developing positive and respectful relationships with the people you support, their families and your colleagues.

Person-centred support – understanding that every person is different and learning how to support individual choices, needs and preferences.

Promoting independence – supporting people to maintain and develop their independence and take part in everyday life.

Teamwork – working alongside experienced care and support staff as part of a supportive team.

Confidence in a care environment – gaining practical experience and becoming increasingly confident in your role.

Professional practice – learning about the responsibilities that come with working in social care.

Problem solving and adapting – learning how to respond appropriately to different situations and the individual needs of the people you support.

Learning and personal development – combining practical experience with study towards your SCQF Level 6 qualification in Social Services & Healthcare.

You'll have experienced colleagues around you as you develop, as well as learning provided through UHI Inverness. The programme specifically requires participating employers to provide induction, workplace training and experienced staff who can act as a mentor or guide.

What qualifications or qualities are required? You don't need previous experience in social care to apply. This apprenticeship is about bringing new people into the sector and giving you the opportunity to learn and develop. It's who you are that matters.

We're looking for people who:

-Are kind, caring and compassionate

-Enjoy meeting and working with different people

-Are patient and respectful

-Are reliable and willing to take responsibility

-Have a positive attitude and are keen to learn

-Can work well as part of a team

-Are willing to listen and communicate with others

-Respect people's individuality, choices and independence

-Are interested in developing a career where they can make a positive difference

Most importantly, we're looking for people with the right values and a willingness to learn.

Whether you're leaving school, returning to employment or thinking about changing career, we'd love to hear from you.

Please Note: The contracted hours may vary by service. When applying, please state on the covering email if you have any preferences on which care service(s) you would like to apply to, the town or locations that are accessible to you, and if you have a preference on which type of setting you would like to be considered for, ie. Older adult care, Learning disability/younger adults, or Mental Health.