Step Up

Step Up to Social Work

Step Up to Social Work (often referred to as ‘Step Up’) is an intensive full time Postgraduate Diploma in social work training programme that allows you to become a social worker in just 14 months. This unique opportunity to become a social worker is a fully funded programme where candidates also receive a tax-free bursary provided by the DfE.

There are set criteria required within the application process which takes place once every two years. Upon application you are able to choose a preference of placement area.

Here in Birmingham Children’s Trust’s Step Up is one of the pre-qualifying programmes for people who want to qualify to become a social worker in children’s social care that we host. 

The programme takes place over 14-15 months and is a mixture of university teaching, a 70 day placement in an adults’ social work team and an 100 day placement in a children’s social work team. Like all students, Step Up students have portfolios to complete too for each placement. At the end of the programme successful student will have passed and are now qualified social workers. They have the opportunity to interview for the role of a social at Birmingham Children's Trust and start their newly qualified year as a social worker (also known as the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment or ‘ASYE’). At the end of the ASYE candidates have the option to complete a dissertation with the University of Birmingham and turn their qualification into a masters degree in social work.  

Throughout your time in Birmingham Children's Trust as a step-up student, you are afforded with direct support from the Academy team along side the team in practice you are based within. This support will include

  • Peer group supervisions
  • access to a wide-ranging core practice training offer
  • 121 support from an Academy SPed.
  • Learning opportunities in line with student placements
  • Team based support 

Join us 

  • Applications are closed for 2023, they will re-open in 2025.
  • We will publish further details when they become available.