1. Home
  2. Careers
  3. Graduates

Imagine contributing to the success of a multi-million pound organisation, making decisions that have a positive impact on communities throughout the UK and developing to become a leader of the future.

As we have a small annual intake of graduates, we tailor our Graduate Development Programmes to the strengths and aspirations of each individual.

Applications

Applications have now closed for our 2019 Graduate Development Programmes. However, you can use the button below to register your interest in our 2020 Graduate Development Programmes.

 Register your interest for our 2020 Graduate Development Programmes

 

We regularly attend events throughout the UK, giving you the chance to meet us and find out what it is like to work at Sanctuary and the opportunities we have available. You can view our graduate fair events on our Careers Events page.

Who we look for

We’re an ambitious organisation and we want our graduates to share those ambitions.

Graduating in any degree subject and with a passion for your chosen programme, you will be in your final year of study, or have finished your studies within the past three years, and will need or be predicted a minimum of a 2:1 degree.

Your personal skills will be just as important. Determined and focused, you will be a natural at building relationships and inspiring others. You’ll also need adaptability, ideas and initiative, strong problem-solving skills and confidence in your own ability. Above all, you’ll have the commercial aptitude and desire to take us forward.

We are looking for people who demonstrate the Sanctuary Group values and behaviours and in particular show a high degree of potential in the following areas:

  • Commercial aptitude
  • Ambition and drive
  • Leadership
  • Communication
  • Adaptability
  • Decision making
  • Creativity
  • Influencing
  • Problem solving and analysis

 

Sanctuary Group is committed to equality and diversity and is proud to have signed up to the Tech Talent Charter, a commitment to deliver greater gender diversity in the information technology workforce.

What's in it for you?

Rewards and benefits

We offer a competitive salary, a generous contributory pension scheme and a range of other benefits including 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, life assurance, leisure and retail discounts and exclusive employee offers through our MyRewards scheme.

Training and development

Your training and development will be a priority at Sanctuary Group. You’ll have a comprehensive induction, where you will be introduced to a number of senior leaders throughout the business and visit a range of our operations across the UK. Throughout your time on the programme we’ll make sure you have the right balance of on-the-job training, more formal learning and professional development. We regularly sponsor graduates through professional qualifications in a number of disciplines.

After the programme

From Corporate Services to Development, Supported Living to Housing, our former graduates work across all areas of the business. Your future is in your hands. We’ll be expecting you to have the ambition and focus to progress within Sanctuary Group and have a significant impact on our operations. But don’t worry, you won’t be on your own, your development doesn’t stop when you complete the programme. We will continue to nurture your potential and help you to realise your career aspirations.

Application process

Applications for our 2019 Graduate Development Programmes are currently closed but you can register your interest in our 2020 Graduate Development Programmes.

Once applications are open, the application process is as follows:

The first part of the application process is to complete an online application form and submit along with your CV. We will be looking for you to demonstrate why you want to work for Sanctuary Group so please ensure you have done your research about each of our business areas and our core values.

When providing answers to the competency related questions, please provide specific examples which are appropriate and can relate to the role you have applied for.

The interview will be held in our Worcester Head Office; however for those not located within easy reach of our offices a Skype interview will be offered as an alternative. The interviews will take place at the end of January and you will be given at least two weeks notice if you are successful. We will be looking to find out why you want to join your chosen Graduate Development Programme and what experience you can bring.

This is a great opportunity for you to show that you are genuinely interested in the role. The Assessment Centre will be held over a two day period at our Worcester Head Office which is easily accessible by road and rail. You will have the opportunity to network with our current graduates to find out what life is really like as a graduate at Sanctuary Group. Overnight accommodation and an evening meal with some of our current graduates will be provided. Reasonable travel expenses to the Assessment Centre will also be reimbursed.

You will be informed of the outcome of the assessment centre within 24 hours and a member of the Graduate Recruitment Team will schedule in time with you to deliver detailed feedback on your performance at the assessment centre.

 Register your interest for our 2020 Graduate Development Programmes

Top tips for applying

We receive a high volume of applications, so it is essential that your application stands out from the crowd. Below are some top tips on completing an award winning application form:

  • Do your research. We want to hear why you are passionate about wanting to work for our organisation and how your values and behaviours align to Sanctuary Group’s set of values and behaviours
  • Carefully check your spelling and grammar and proof read your application before submitting it – do not reply on spellcheckers to auto correct words
  • Ensure you sell yourself, demonstrating your passion and enthusiasm for both our organisation but also the programme you are applying for
  • Use short, succinct sentences and paragraphs which are easy to follow and focus on answering the question

Frequently asked questions

How long does the application process last?

Our 2020 Graduate Development Programmes will be open for applications from October 2019 and will be open until January 2020. A robust selection process follows for those that submit a successful application form, starting with an initial interview at the end of January 2020 and for successful candidates an assessment centre at our Worcester offices will be held in early March 2020. Successful candidates will start on their chosen Graduate Development Programme in September 2020. Please note that specific dates will be confirmed nearer the opening of our 2020 Graduate Development Programmes.

Our central services office is in Worcester, and this is where you will be based too. However, dependent on the programme some placements may take place in one of our regional offices, which are located throughout England and Scotland. All placements are agreed ahead of time with our graduates and continued support is offered wherever they are based.

Our graduates start in September each year.

Each of our Graduate Development Programmes last for two years. You'll have an induction programme, followed by up to four rotational placements. Our Graduate Development Programmes are structured to ensure you have enough time to deliver results in each placement.

The Graduate Development Programmes are two year fixed term contracts. To date, everyone completing the Graduate Development Programmes have secured a full-time role with Sanctuary Group. Our graduates have gone on to work in a number of different roles throughout the business and across the UK.

Unfortunately, you can only make an application for one scheme.

Graduate stories

We're committed to helping everyone who works here achieve their own individual ambitions.

See what our past graduates have achieved by reading their stories.

Callie's story

Joe's story

Libby's story

Maisie's story

Donna's story

Nicole's story

Mitchell's story

Lowri's story