'Step Up' to social work
Do you have what it takes to ‘Step Up’ to social work?
Social work is both a challenging and rewarding career through which you can make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable children and families. You will need to build relationships with families facing difficult times, show a lot of patience and be a good listener. You will also need good observational skills, analytical thinking and sound judgement to make the right decisions and protect children. Social work regularly tests resilience, stamina, and resolve - all of which you will need to succeed. Social work can be life changing for those you support.
Please note we are advertising this on behalf of the Department for Education.
The Step Up to Social Work programme is a unique opportunity to receive support while you are training to start a new career in social work. On the 14-month training programme, you will receive hands-on experience of working in a real-life social work role through placements in a local authority whilst undertaking your qualification. Once you’ve successfully completed the course, you’ll be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work enabling you to apply to register and practice as a social worker.
The Department for Education covers the cost of your university tuition on the programme and provides a tax-free bursary of £21,995 paid over the duration of the programme to support you during your training.
Recruitment for the programme will open on 17 February 2025, with assessment centres scheduled for June/July 2025, and a January 2026 programme start date. The programme runs once every two years, dependent on government funding, so if you are interested, make sure you don’t miss out on your chance to apply.
Step Up to Social Work entry criteria
We are looking for dedicated individuals who have experience of working with vulnerable children, young people, families or vulnerable adults and who can demonstrate their maturity and emotional resilience. We encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates and aim to have a workforce that represents the society that we serve.
To apply to the programme, you’ll need to have:
• a minimum 2:2 degree qualification (level 6).
Please note: For some Local Authority areas, final year students will be eligible to apply with a minimum 2:2 predicted grade. For all other Local Authority areas, you must have completed your degree programme to apply.
• 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
• A GCSE in English or English language at grade 4 (C) or above (or an approved equivalent)
Please note: For some Local Authority areas, there will also be a requirement to have a GCSE in Mathematics (or an approved equivalent).
Details of specific Local Authority eligibility criteria can be found here from 17 February 2025: Home | Step Up to Social Work (pocketrecruiter.com)
You will need to show all of your original certificates to us as part of the application and assessment process. If you cannot find these, you can order replacements online.
We are particularly interested in applications from men and from BAME candidates, as these groups are under-represented in this area of social work.
Your 14-month programme will pass very quickly, and if your local authority has vacancies you will be guaranteed an interview for a social worker role in children and families statutory social work. The starting salary for a social worker in most authorities in this region is around £30k per annum.
To apply and gain further information please information visit:
FAQ's | Step Up to Social Work
Should you wish to have an informal discussion about this opportunity then please contact The East Midlands Partnership representative for Children's Services, at LCC, Ben Lilley, Practice Supervisor, via ben.lilley@lincolnshire.gov.uk