1. Step Up to Social Work

2. What is the Step Up to Social Work Programme?
Created in 2010 as an accelerated route into Social Work
Aimed at high achieving graduates and career changers considering a future career in children’s social work.
Employer led through clusters of LAs (Regional Partnerships)
Academic delivery by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) through a course leading to a post-graduate Diploma in Social Work
Courses approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

3. Why was the Step Up Programme introduced?
Encourage candidates from a wide range of backgrounds into children’s social work
Increase the supply of high-quality social workers
Strengthen the workforce and raise standards
Support employer involvement in devising and delivering social work courses
Enable ready-to-practise newly qualified social workers to hit the ground running

4. Who can apply to join the Step Up Programme?
Step Up to Social Work is open to anyone who has:
A minimum 2:1 level 6 qualification or higher in any discipline except social work from a UK higher education institution (or an approved equivalent overseas qualification)
A minimum 2:2 honours degree plus a higher degree (level 7 or above), which can include a master’s degree or a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (in any discipline except social)
GCSEs in English/English Language and Mathematics at grade C or above (or an approved equivalent overseas qualification)
Experience of working with children, young people or families
The emotional resilience to become an effective social worker
The right to remain and work in the UK

5. What are the stakeholder roles in the Step Up programme?
DfE
Overall programme strategic direction, criteria and conditions
Regular contact with/advice to RPs to monitor development and delivery of Step Up Programme
Local Authorities
Clustered into RPs, with lead LA responsible for programme management and funding
Contracting with HEIs for a suitable post-graduate course for the programme requirements
Assessing candidates
Offering candidates places (based on a agreed number with DfE)
A Step Up Coordinator to manage the day-to-day running of the appointment process
Supporting evaluations of the programme

6. Higher Education Institutions
Provision of post-graduate course meeting programme requirements
Working with RPs to ensure practical/ theoretical aspects of the programme are delivered
Keeping in touch with RPs to monitor progress and report concerns over course/ trainees
Students
Dedication, drive and commitment

7. Timetable for Cohort 5
Candidate application window goes live (28 Mar 17)
Application window closes (5 May 2017)
Sifting and selection for assessment centre phase (April – 7 Jun 17)
RP Assessment Centre phase (22 Jun – 21 Jul 17)
Successful applicants invited to confirm place on course (Jul - Aug 17)
Step Up Cohort Five begin programme (Jan 18)

8. Further information
GOV.UK webpages: