Learning & Development
At Peterborough City Council, there are two essential pillars supporting our people: purpose and culture.
Our culture is integral to the way we work and we want PCC to be place where colleagues can become experts, flourish in leadership and grow their career. By offering regular training opportunities, we empower our people with the skills and knowledge they need deliver a high-quality level of service and take pride in their purpose.
Learning and development opportunities available to our staff:
Core Training for Adults and Children’s Social Care
We offer core training for Adults and Children services, covering a range of topics to equip staff with the knowledge and skills they need to deliver high-quality service and meet statutory requirements.
Why do your work experience or placement with us?
At Peterborough City Council, we’re providing opportunities for the next generation of innovators and leaders.
Our early careers initiatives are designed to give you the experience and opportunity to start your journey in local government.
Early career opportunities
Our opportunities have be designed alongside the Career and Enterprise Framework (PDF, 321 KB). This builds a pathway of different opportunities listed below.
Peterborough Children in Care and Care Leavers
If you are a Peterborough child in care or care leaver, as your corporate parents, we offer you additional support. This includes:
- Ringfencing selected opportunities to give you first priority for applications
- Offering you a job coach to support with your application and interview preparations
- Advising on financial checks and enquiries
- Mentoring to reach your own education, employment or training goals
- Bespoke training for staff who would be your manager
Step up to Social Work
Step Up To Social Work is 14-month, full-time training programme for talented graduates and career changers to become the next generation of child and family social workers supporting vulnerable children, young people and families. It is designed for people who want to become a social worker but do not have a degree in social work. Successful applicants train through a combination of academic study and hands-on social work experience in a local authority.
Applicants eligible for the programme, which includes financial support alongside training, will be individuals with experience of working with vulnerable children, young people, families or adults, and who can demonstrate emotional resilience and potential for success.
Step Up To Social Work aims to attract applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and aims to have a workforce that represents the society that we serve.
The Step Up programme is backed by the Department for Education to support 700 individuals to enter the social work profession in local authorities across England. This funding will support individuals with training costs and a bursary over the duration of the programme to support them whilst in training.
There have been nine cohorts of Step Up since 2010 and the programme has successfully supported over 2,900 social workers to enter the profession across England.
The Step Up programme runs every two years subject to government funding.
Applications for the 2026 cohort have now closed. Applications for the next cohort will be sought in February 2027 subject to government funding.
On successful completion of the programme, trainees will qualify with a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work enabling them to apply to register with Social Work England and to practice as a qualified social worker, making a difference by nurturing relationships with families during difficult times and by protecting children.
Work Experience
Our work experience programme offers a valuable opportunity to:
- Build practical skills and enhance your CV
- Explore a range of career paths
- Gain insight into how a council operates
Whether you're just starting out or exploring new directions, we provide a strong foundation for your future career. With a wide variety of services, roles, and development opportunities, we’re proud to serve one of the UK’s fastest-growing areas—making this an exciting time to join us. Many of our services are nationally recognised for excellence, thanks to our commitment to innovation and continuous improvement. We’re passionate about supporting early career development, and several of our current staff began their journey with us through work experience.
What You’ll Gain
Joining us for work experience means stepping into a real-world environment where you’ll:
- Work alongside experienced professionals
- Be part of a supportive team
- Discover potential career paths and interests
- Develop confidence and transferable skills
Placement Options
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Option 1 – Focused Service Area
Spend most of your placement within a single team to gain deeper insight into a specific field. If you’re curious about other areas, we’ll do our best to arrange additional exposure depending on team availability.
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Option 2 – Council-Wide Experience
Rotate across multiple service areas for a broad overview of public sector work. Be sure to highlight any particular interests in your application.
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Option 3 – Skills-Based Experience
If you’re unsure which area to choose but know what skills you’d like to develop, let us know in your application. We’ll tailor your placement to help you build those skills and grow your confidence.
Volunteering
Becoming a volunteer can be very rewarding for yourself and your community. You can gain valuable skills and experience that could help you in your work and home life.
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Volunteer Driver
Our Passenger Transport operations team is seeking voluntary drivers to help transport vulnerable adults and young people to and from various locations within and outside of the city.
Mileage is paid at £0.45 pence per mile.
We are looking for people to provide regular assistance:
- 8am and 9am Monday to Friday
- 3pm and 5pm Monday to Friday
Some opportunities available at other times as well as evenings and weekends.
You will need to:
- have your own car
- be willing to undergo a DBS check
- be happy to transport adults and /or children of various ages
- be enthusiastic, tactful and reliable
For more information or to apply for a volunteer driver recruitment pack, please either call 01733 317455 or email socialcaretransport@peterborough.gov.uk.
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Volunteer as an Independent Visitor
An Independent Visitor is a volunteer who gives some of their time each month to support and befriend a child or young person in care who has little to no contact with their birth family or where it is considered to be in the child’s best interests.
As an Independent Visitor, you will meet with a child or young person once a month to go out for social visits, share hobbies and interests and try new activities. You will befriend, mentor and provide continuity in the life of a child in care and above all, have fun together!
For more information visit Independent Visitor for Children in Care | Peterborough City Council.
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Expressions of Interest
We also accept expressions of interest from individuals who are looking to gain experience in a particular field, whether that’s to explore a new career path, build skills for future opportunities, or support a return to work after time away.
If you are interested, please email your CV along with a short expression of interest, outlining the area you would like to gain experience in, to PCCrecruitment@peterborough.gov.uk.
Our Recruitment Team will then forward your details to the relevant team or service manager to review potential opportunities.
Career Journeys That Inspire
"Working for the council I can make a difference by protecting the most vulnerable people and empowering them to become more aware of their legal rights."
Karina
Housing Compliance Officer | Regulatory Services
"Every child deserves to be safe and happy as a minimum, and I feel privileged that part of my job is to contribute towards that. The role offers autonomy and variety, and despite the challenges of high caseloads, I remain committed to Peterborough—my home city—and proud to grow my career within PCC."
Tammy
Senior Social Worker | Children's Social Care
"I was really impressed by Peterborough City Council from day one. It feels professional and the communication is excellent. The offices are good and to a high standard which most know is not always the case with local authorities."
Dan
Team Manager | Children's Social Care
Centre of Professional Excellence
The Centre for Professional Excellence (Social Work Academy) offers Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs) a supportive and enriching environment to begin their careers. Through a structured programme focused on professional development and progression, NQSWs will build the confidence and skills needed to become impactful and inspirational practitioners.
During the first six months, NQSWs will be based within the Centre, benefiting from a protected caseload, extensive training, and reflective supervision. They will receive tailored coaching and mentoring from the Academy Team to support their transition from student to professional practice in a safe and nurturing setting.
As part of their development, NQSWs will work within our practice models - Family Safeguarding and Family Valued Practice - placing children at the centre of their work and building strong, relational approaches with families. In the second half of the year, they will move into their permanent teams, continuing their journey with the foundation and support gained from the Academy.