Step up to Social Work

The Government’s Step Up to Social Work scheme is a 14-month, full-time training programme for graduates and career changers who do not have a social work degree but are looking to enter the profession.

The programme is dedicated to creating the next generation of child and family social workers and enables successful applicants to train through a mix of academic study and hands-on work experience, before obtaining the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work.

This will enable qualifying trainees to apply for registration as a qualified social worker with Social Work England.

To apply to the programme, you’ll need to have:

• a minimum 2:2 undergraduate degree qualification (level 6)
• 6 months’ full-time (or equivalent) direct experience, either in a paid or voluntary capacity, of working with vulnerable children, young people and/or families, carers or vulnerable adults
• GCSE in English or English language at grade 4 (C) or above (or an approved equivalent)

In a change from earlier years, final year students are now eligible to apply to the programme however evidence of the final grade must be provided prior to a student starting the programme.

You will achieve your qualification through the University of Winchester, who also support the partnership by offering master classes focusing on contemporary social work practice in our society.

Having been rated by Ofsted as Outstanding in all areas of children’s social care, Hampshire Children’s Services have an excellent offering for anyone looking to start their social work career.

Backed by a £25 million investment from the Department for Education, the Step Up programme helps individuals with training costs and provides a bursary of £21,994 over the course of 14 months. Since 2010, it has assisted more than 2,300 people across England to become social workers.

Full details of eligibility criteria and the assessment process are available on the Government website