GovWire

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.

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.

What youll need to apply

To apply to the programme, youll 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 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 2026 programme

Changes to the entry requirements for the 2026 programme of step up to social work

A number of regional partnerships will be removing the Maths GCSE entry requirement for the 2026 programme.

A number of regional partnerships will be introducing conditional offers so that final year students will be eligible to apply with a minimum 2:2 predicted grade.

Not all regional partnerships will be implementing the changes outlined in this section. Detailed information stating which regional partnerships have implemented the changes, will be available on 17 February 2025 when applications for the 2026 programme open.

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

What youll 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.

When to apply

Applications for the 2026 step up to social work programme will open on 17 February 2025. You can register your interest on the step up to social work website.