NEW! Step Up to Social Work

Welcome

“I have been a children’s social worker for over 30 years and I still believe it was the best career choice I could possibly have made…

The scheme in a ‘nutshell’

Step Up To Social Work is a 14-month, full-time programme. It is designed for people who want to become a social worker but do not have a degree in social work. Successful applicants train through a combination of academic study and hands on social work experience in a local authority.

The programme is delivered by Essex County Council in partnership with universities within regions across England. Learning is conducted face to face in a central regional location or remotely. Participants receive a bursary of £21,995 over the duration of the programme to support them whilst in training.

You are applying to the East of England Partnership which includes Essex, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Southend and Thurrock County Councils.

Make an expression of interest before applications open

Staff testimonials

Still wondering if our programme will suit you? Hear from some of our colleagues who have taken part in the scheme before:

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.

This programme will be delivered in partnership with Anglia Ruskin University who have been our partner on this programme for many years and are offering briefing sessions on weekday afternoon and evenings.

To join one of these sessions, please contact ARUStepUp@aru.ac.uk for a link, where you will be able to join virtually.

Hear from our partners

• Anglia Ruskin University

  Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) have run the Step Up Programme for many years in collaboration with the East Regional Partnership and together we have proudly supported over 130 people to become qualified, and most importantly, excellent, Social Workers.

  As a wider university in 2023, we were granted the Times Higher Education University of the Year award, which recognises exceptional performance in higher education.
  ARU recognise the challenges of studying to become a Social Worker on an accelerated course such as Step Up and so are well equipped to support you on your journey with bespoke Personal Tutor support and wider academic and pastoral support services. We work closely with our Local Authority partners to ensure you are prepared for practice through a combination of academic learning and practice placements in Social Work teams.

  On a personal note, I have worked on the Step Up Programme for the last 3 cohorts and am really excited to be recruiting for cohort 9. Whilst this is a challenging and fast paced way to qualify as a Social Worker, I love supporting students to develop the same passion I have for Social Work, and ensuring that they achieve the same, if not better, outcomes as more traditional courses that are available.

  If you are interested in finding out more about this wonderful opportunity to qualify as a Social Worker, please register an interest in one of our upcoming virtual information sessions by emailing arustepup@aru.ac.uk with your preferred time and date.

  Rachel Fowler, Course Leader for Post Graduate Diploma in Professional Social Work Practice

• Peterborough City Council

  In Peterborough Children are at the front and centre of our practice – we listen to children and work to understand their lived experience.

  We are relational in our practice and have a Family Valued approach which ensures that we work from a strengths based position to build relationships with children and their families to enable change to happen and for change to be sustained.

  Our safeguarding interventions are based on the Family Safeguarding model which is multi disciplinary and uses motivational interviewing and is designed to harness motivation and enhance readiness for change through working in partnership with parents.

  Matt Johnson, Social Work Development Advisor

• Cambridge City Council

  Cambridgeshire Academy for Reaching Excellence (CARE)

  The Academy was launched on International World Children’s Day, 20th November 2023. The Academy sits under the Learning and Development Service, in Strategy and Partnership Directorate, with a direct focus on supporting the Children Services’ audiences.

  Alongside the Academy’s manager there are 5 Children Social Care Practice Development Leads, with lead areas of responsibility focused on: the pre-qualifying pathway (student social work programmes, eg. Step Up to Social Work, Return to social work initiative, traditional route students), Children Social Work Apprenticeship Programme, Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) Programme, International social work initiative and Children Services’ Management support.

  Our social workers are passionate about making a difference and do all they can to make the lives of our children and families better. They are committed to high professional standards, continuous learning and enjoy the challenges the role brings.

  We offer a salary of up to £40,958 for Social Workers and £45,987 for Senior Practitioners, a relocation package of up to £8,000 – and you’ll benefit from generous annual holidays (28 days plus bank holidays from day one), an excellent pension scheme, flexible working, and plenty of opportunities for supported development and training with career progression.

  As a Public Sector organisation, we are all about providing continuity and stability for both our employees and residents, especially in these challenging times when it is needed most.

  The support we offer our social workers comes in many forms. Whether it’s providing flexibility to those going through difficult personal circumstances, encouraging those that want to take the next step in their career, or even helping social workers with a background in adults social work transition to the children’s service. We value our social workers and are happy to provide the support they need to excel in their career.

  Ramona Peiu, Cambridgeshire Academy for Reaching Excellence (CARE) Manager (Children’s Services) and Amber Wilson, Children’s Social Care Practice Development Lead 

• Suffolk County Council

  Within Suffolk we recognise that Social workers are vital in protecting children and young people from harm. They provide support services and intervene when necessary to ensure a safe and nurturing environment. Social workers advocate for the best interests of children, supporting their development and well-being, ultimately shaping better futures for young people overall. If this wounds of interest to you, we would love for you to consider a role with us.

  In Suffolk we believe Social Workers should have the opportunity to develop a rounded career. Therefore, we encourage people to move teams, to shadow and to undertake secondments to enhance their experience and develop their interests. At every stage of your career at Suffolk County Council you will be given support and challenged – we want everyone who joins us to enjoy a long and varied career here.

  Speaking to Hollie who Achieved the Step up to Social Work Programme with Suffolk in 2023, she shared a few words to people considering coming on board with Suffolk, “When I looked at training to be a Social Worker, I had lots of experience working with people.  I had a degree which I used a lot, but I also had bills and commitments which would have made retraining or topping up my learning really hard if I wanted to progress.  Step Up allowed me to use all the skills I had in a fast track, high intensity course that also had a grant attached to pay my bills, and where the course fees were funded.  The competition to get onto the course was hard, and I was so impressed by the other applicants.  The application and interview process covered all of the different aspects that you need as a Social Worker; there was a written piece, an interview and group discussion, and I could tell that the organisers really wanted us to show our best selves and to do well.  I was so happy to be accepted.  Then the hard work began.  I cannot stress enough that Step up is a huge commitment and an even bigger opportunity.    Over 14 months you complete all of the academic requirements to achieve a Post Graduate Diploma in Social Work, as well as the 70 day and 100 day placements within Social Work settings.  The time needed is full time and heavy going, and the support offered to achieve this is second to none.  My Step Up experience led on to a Newly Qualified Social Worker role for Suffolk where I was supported through the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE).  I also chose to complete an additional module part time to top my Post Graduate Diploma to a Masters in Social Work.  I am now two years into my Social Work Career, and I credit Step Up with opening doors into the next chapter of my working life.  If you are thinking of applying, but are doubting yourself, contact the Step Up team and talk with them, because they will likely see the potential that you might be unsure of.  The support and encouragement offered by Step Up brought out the best in me and developed me into a budding Social Worker that I know will keep growing and changing in my role.  So, if the Step Up course has piqued your interest; click the button and take the first step.”

  Sarah Hope, ACS ASYE Co-ordinator, Graduate Trainee Lead

• Southend-on-Sea City Council

  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.

  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.

  Feel free to contact SouthendSocialCareAcademy@southend.gov.uk with any questions regarding the programme.

• Norfolk County Council

  Please find all relevant information on the sites below:

  Routes into social work – Step Up to Social Work programme – Norfolk County Council

  Norfolk County Council

• Thurrock Council

  We are currently awaiting further content for Thurrock Council. We will update this section as soon as we receive any information.

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.

Since 2010, Step Up has successfully supported over 2,900 social workers to enter the profession, who may not have otherwise been able to access social worker training.

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