Step up to social work
Applications for the 2026 Step Up to Social Work programme are now closed.
Applies to England
Step up to social work 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.
The programme is delivered by regional partnerships, which are partnerships between local authority employers and universities.
If you want to become a social worker but do not have a degree in social work, you can train through this programme.
Application process
Applications for the 2026 Step Up to Social Work programme are now closed.
Please be aware that the full application and selection process for the step up to social work programme is comprehensive and takes several months to complete.
Applicants are encouraged to consider this when applying, as the process involves multiple stages designed to ensure a thorough evaluation of all candidates.
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 if your chosen regional partnership is implementing this change for the 2026 programme
- 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 GCSE in mathematics at grade 4 (C) or above (or an approved equivalent) if your chosen regional partnership is keeping the maths GSCE entry requirement for the the 2026 programme
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, including Universal Credit and childcare support.
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.
Updates to this page
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Updated to reflect that applications have opened.
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Updated to reflect that applications for the 2026 programme will open on 17 February 2025.
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Applications for the 2024 programme have now closed.
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'Step up to social work' has been updated to show that applications are now open and to include a link to the applications.
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First published.