North Tyneside Council’s first ever Children’s social work apprentice John Mulroy has received an award from the University of Sunderland.
John, who graduated in December 2022, was the proud winner of the ‘Apprentice Champion’ award during a ceremony hosted by the university and MTC Training.
John began his apprenticeship in 2019 and is now working as a qualified social worker in North Tyneside’s ‘outstanding’ Children’s Services.
Before his degree he was working for the council as a Family Partner in its Early Help Team, and during the course he worked with experienced social workers and managers to get on the job experience, alongside attending lectures at Sunderland University.
John recently described his experience of the degree as ‘fantastic’, he said:
“I think it is fantastic that North Tyneside Council are investing in their staff and supporting them to achieve a social work degree whilst getting real hands-on experience of the social work profession.
“I cannot thank North Tyneside Council enough for providing me the opportunity to pursue my ambitions and for investing in me, as I was in in no position to be able to financially manage this.”
He was nominated by Carrie Barron, Principal Children and Family Social Worker at North Tyneside Council for his enthusiasm and passion throughout his three-year apprenticeship.
He was then announced as the winner during an awards ceremony as part of National Apprenticeship Week 2023.
Describing his nomination, she said: “John’s personality and enthusiasm for the apprenticeship opportunity and his work was just fantastic. His willingness to share his experiences with other has translated to him helping to support and encourage other colleagues on the programme as well as those who were considering it.
“He has such a strong work ethic and is always a glass half full kind of guy. When I saw the information for the apprenticeship award, I knew I needed to nominate him and the fact he won is a true testament to his hard work.
“Surprising him with the award was brilliant, we’re all extremely proud of everything he has achieved so far and he has a long, rewarding future ahead of him. He’s a credit to the organisation and himself.”
Julie Firth, Director of Children’s Services at North Tyneside Council, added: “We’re really proud as an organisation to be able to support the Social Work Apprenticeship scheme and John’s success is a brilliant example of someone who has fully embraced the opportunity and is now thriving.
“The reason our service delivers as well as it does is down to the hard work, commitment and positivity of our colleagues and this extra award for John is a credit to him and his team.”
The apprenticeship programme is part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to developing its workforce and supporting more people into the social work field.
The fully funded courses run each year and there are currently eight more colleagues across children and adults’ services completing the course.
