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Step Up to Social Work

stepUpToSocialWork

What is Step Up to Social Work?

It’s a Department for Education (DfE) initiative. It aims to increase the number of high-quality social workers. It supports graduates and career changers to start a new career in social work with vulnerable children, young people, and families.

The programme is:

  • an intensive 15-month full-time programme
  • is for applicants who do not have a social work degree and want to become a social worker
  • offers you a £21,995 tax-free bursary during the programme
  • requires you to complete around 170 placement days of hands-on social work in a local authority while you carry out academic learning at a university
  • gives you a postgraduate diploma in social work. This enables you to register as a qualified social worker with Social Work England.

What do you need to apply?

You can apply if you have:

  • an honours degree (1st, 2:1 or 2:2) in any subject 
  • GCSE Maths and English at grades C or above, or the new grade 4 and above (or an approved equivalent) 
  • a minimum of six months full-time experienec of working with children, young people, families, carers or vulnerable adults, either paid or voluntary 

You will need to show all of your orignial certificates to us as part of the application and assessment process. If you cannot find these, you can order replacements online. 

When can you apply?

Applications open on 17 February 2025 and close on 25 March 2025. You can apply online on the Step Up to Social Work website. 

When does the programme start?

It starts in January 2026 and ends in March 2027.

It's delivered by the London Metropolitan University and is in partnership with Tower Hamlets and other local authorities.

Information sessions on MS Teams

If you want more details about Step Up to Social Work, programme coordinators will host video sessions on MS Teams. 

They will go over the academic programme, selection process, funding arrangements and more. 

You can join one of the information sessions by clicking the link on the following dates and times:

Session one: Tuesday 4 March, 6.30 - 7.30pm

Session two: Saturday 15 March, 10.30 - 11.30am 

Session three: Wednesday 19 March, 12.30 - 1.30pm