Step up to social work
Source: gov.uk (2025-07-02)

If you have a non-social-work-related degree and want to become a child and family social worker, you can train through this programme.

Step up to social work applications are closed.

Step up to social work currently accepts applications every 2 years. Sign up for updates to this page (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/step-up-to-social-work#:~:text=See%20all%20updates-,Get%20emails%20about%20this%20page,-Applies%20to%20England).

Find out about the other qualifying routes to become a social worker (https://support-for-social-workers.education.gov.uk/become-a-social-worker/ways-to-qualify-as-a-social-worker?utm_source=DHSC&utm_medium=email&utm_id=GISW).

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

Participants will need 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.

This is delivered by step up to social work regional partnerships (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/step-up-to-social-work-regional-partnerships), which are partnerships between local authority employers and universities.

Application process

Applications for the 2026 programme are closed.

The application and selection process is comprehensive and takes several months to complete.

You must 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 must have:
- a 2:2 BA or BSc degree qualification (level 6) or above in any subject other than social work (some regional partnerships (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/step-up-to-social-work-regional-partnerships) will accept conditional offers)
- 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 qualification (https://www.gov.uk/find-a-regulated-qualification))
You must also:
- have the right to work or study in the UK (including access to public funds) for the duration of the programme
- be a resident in England by the time the programme starts
- not already be a qualified social worker
Funding

There are no tuition fees for step up to social work. The programme is fully funded.

If your application is successful, you’ll receive a tax-free DfE funded bursary of £21,995.

The bursary:
- is not means tested
- does not need to be repaid
- does not vary depending on a participant’s location
- is paid in monthly instalments
Participants should consider how receiving the bursary might affect their current benefit arrangements, including Universal Credit (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-and-students) and childcare support (https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/).

What you’ll get when you qualify

Once you successfully complete the programme, you’ll qualify with a postgraduate diploma (PGDip) (level 7) in social work.

This will allow you to register with Social Work England (https://www.socialworkengland.org.uk/registration/apply-for-registration/) as a qualified social worker.