Public Health Practitioner Apprentice (FTC 39 months)

We are currently seeking three motivated individuals to join our Public Health Practitioner Apprenticeship programme. This is a unique opportunity to gain practical experience in public health while working towards a fully funded degree in the field.

Do you care about people living long and happy lives?

Do you want everyone to have the same opportunity to be healthy?

Are you interested in understanding how our environment and communities influence health outcomes?

If you are interested in a career in public health, we look forward to receiving your application.

This apprenticeship offers a blend of academic study and on-the-job learning, equipping you with the skills and knowledge needed to make a meaningful impact in your community.

About you...

The Public Health Practitioner Apprenticeship lasts for 3 years.

You will combine work-based learning and study for a public health degree that is funded as part of your apprenticeship in addition to a salary. Upon completion you will also have met the requirements to qualify for the professional UK Public Health Registration (UKPHR) as a Public Health Practitioner.

So that you can study we will make sure that you have protected time for learning within your working week. 

These posts are offered on a full-time basis (37 hours) but for those not able to work full time, we would ask for a minimum commitment of 30 hours per week. Flexible working hours are available.

To be eligible to apply you must not:

• have any Degree or Masters
• have or be in the process of completing a professional registration such as UKPHR practitioner, nutrition, etc
• be employed by Bracknell Forest Council, Slough Borough Council or Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council in public health

As this post is an apprenticeship, the appointed candidate will need to apply to UWE by end of June 2025 and be available to enrol during the summer, ready to start the programme the first week of September. For full details of the programme please visit: Public Health Practitioner - BSc(Hons) Public Health - UWE Bristol: Courses.

About the team...

Public Health Practitioner Apprentices will gain experience working across three council public health teams (Slough Borough Council, Bracknell Forest Council and Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead Council). Each area has its own public health challenges and opportunities.

We will provide you with a mentor to support you in developing your public health career, progressing on your degree course and completing the portfolio to qualify as a Public Health Practitioner. You will also have support from the current apprentices within each of the teams. 

Key responsibilities...

This is a three-year full-time degree apprenticeship training programme. Apprentices will be given practical support to work under the direction of senior colleagues to develop and support a range of projects and programmes, work collaboratively with internal and external partners.

The Public Health Practitioner Apprentice will apply their developing knowledge and skills to support the implementation and delivery of health improvement programmes, including those commissioned through external providers. They will engage with diverse settings and population groups within the local community, contributing to targeted public health initiatives. Working collaboratively across teams, the apprentice will assist in project management and play an active role in delivering key elements of priority public health workstreams.

Apprentices will contribute to a range of teamwork programmes by providing public health support, including the development and delivery of evidence-based projects, service commissioning, needs assessments, reviews, evaluations, and performance monitoring.

Please refer to the attached job description for full details regarding this role.

Our benefits...

• 25 days* increasing to 28 days* after 3 years’ continuous service.
• The opportunity to buy up to 10 additional days* annual leave per year and sell 5 days.
• Hybrid working opportunities to support your wellbeing and work-life balance.
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme for an electric car at a fixed monthly cost (subject to eligibility).
• An inclusive and social working environment with a variety of staff networks.
• Local government pension scheme.
• Life insurance cover (linked to the pension scheme)
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and fostering leave.
• Recognition of continuous service attained within the NHS and UKHSA when calculating some benefits such as annual leave entitlements, occupational maternity/paternity leave, and more. (Terms and Conditions apply – please refer to candidate pack for more information.)
• Career development through internal and external training opportunities.
• A great office location next to travel links and Bracknell Forest’s thriving town centre.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support your health and wellbeing.
• Sports and Social Club.
• Staff dental and health plans. 
• Discounted leisure centre and gym membership.
• Supermarket discount.

*(pro rata for part time)

Our values...

At Bracknell Forest Council our values define who we are and what is important to us. Our core values are inclusive, ambitious, and always learning. These values influence the way we work with each other and the way we serve our residents and engage with our communities. We make our values real by demonstrating them in how we behave every day. If you are excited about joining a diverse team that celebrates learning and strives for excellence, we would love to hear from you. 

Our support… 

We are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process for all applicants. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview, please let us know by contacting recruitment@bracknell-forest.gov.uk. We will work with you to support you throughout the process.  

Interview date

Interviews will be held on 12th and 13th June 2025.

Interview venue: Bracknell Forest Council, Time Square, Market Place, Bracknell, RG12 1JD.

Interviews will be conducted in person, providing candidates with the chance to personally meet the team and experience our work environment.

We will be reviewing applications regularly and reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified. To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible.

Please note AI is prohibited during the interview, any candidate using AI will be withdrawn from consideration.

Candidates will be required to bring relevant certificates with them to interview.

Want to ask us a question?

For an informal discussion or to ask any questions about this role, please contact:

Louise Duffy, Public Health Principal

Email: louisem.duffy@bracknell-forest.gov.uk

or

Karen Cawley, Resourcing Officer

Email: karen.cawley@bracknell-forest.gov.uk

At Bracknell Forest we champion equality, diversity and inclusion. At Bracknell Forest Council, we are always learning, ambition and inclusive. Please see our candidate pack for more details.

Bracknell Forest Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect everyone employed with us to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to a DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) check as part of our pre-employment checks process.

To qualify for apprenticeship funding, you must have been a UK resident for 3 years or more (not wholly for the purposes of education).

We can only accept applications from candidates who have been resident in the UK for the last 3 years due to funding regulations.