Step Up to Social Work - Register Your Interest

Step Up to Social Work - Register Your Interest

Step up to social work (SU2SW) is an intensive, 14-month, full-time programme with a focus on child and family social work.

The programme requires participants to complete around 170 placement days of hands-on social work with vulnerable children and families in a local authority, while completing academic learning at a university.

If you want to become a social worker but do not have a degree in social work, you can train through this programme.

The programme is delivered by regional partnerships, which are partnerships between local authority employers and universities. You are applying to the East of England Partnership which includes Essex, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Southend and Thurrock County Councils.

Find out everything you need to know about this incredible opportunity on our brand-new campaign microsite .

What you’ll need to apply

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

• a minimum 2:2 degree qualification (level 6) or if you are a final year student, a minimum 2:2 predicted grade
• 6 months’ full-time (or equivalent) direct experience, either in a paid or voluntary capacity, of working with vulnerable children, young people or families, carers or vulnerable adults
• a GCSE in English or English language at grade 4 (C) or above (or an approved equivalent)
• a full UK Drivers licence

Training and funding

If your application is successful, you will:

• train through a combination of academic study and hands on social work experience in a local authority
• receive a tax-free bursary of £21,995, paid in 15 monthly instalments of £1,466.33, to support your training

Participants should consider how receiving the bursary might affect their current benefit arrangements.

What you’ll get when you qualify

Once you successfully complete the programme, you will qualify with a Postgraduate Diploma (Level 7) in Social Work. This will allow you to apply to register with Social Work England as a qualified social worker.

Further information and how to apply

We are not currently accepting applications. However, we anticipate the application window opening for the next cohort on 17th February 2025 with successful candidates starting the programme in January 2026.

In the meantime you can register your interest here: Home | Step Up to Social Work

ARU will be running briefing calls on the below dates in February 2025. To book onto one of these sessions please contact ARUStepup@aru.ac.uk

SU2SW – Anglia Ruskin University Information Sessions;

• Wednesday 5th February 16:30 – 17:30
• Friday 7th February 09:30 – 10:30
• Thursday 13th February 16:30 – 17:30
• Thursday 13th February 19:30 – 20:30

General Queries to: stepuptosocialwork@essex.gov.uk