Step Up to Social Work

Step Up to Social Work

Do you have what it takes to ‘Step Up’ to social work?

Social work is both a challenging and rewarding career through which you can make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable children and families.

You will need to build relationships with families facing difficult times, show a lot of patience and be a good listener. You will also need good observational skills, analytical thinking and sound judgement to make the right decisions and protect children. Social work regularly tests resilience, stamina, and resolve – all of which you will need to succeed. Social work can be life changing for those you support. 

The Step Up to Social Work programme is a unique opportunity to receive support while you are training to start a new career in social work. On the 14-month training programme, you will receive hands-on experience of working in a real-life social work role through placements in a local authority whilst undertaking your qualification. Once you’ve successfully completed the course, you’ll be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work, enabling you to apply to register and practice as a social worker.

The Department for Education covers the cost of your university tuition on the programme and provides a tax-free bursary of £21,995 paid over the duration of the programme to support you during your training.  

Step Up to Social Work entry criteria

We are looking for dedicated individuals who have experience of working with vulnerable children, young people, families or vulnerable adults and who can demonstrate their maturity and emotional resilience. We encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates and aim to have a workforce that represents the society that we serve.

To apply to the programme, you’ll need to have:

  • A minimum 2:2 degree qualification (level 6)
  • 6 months full-time (or equivalent) direct experience of working with vulnerable children, young people and/or families, carers or vulnerable adults in a paid or voluntary capacity
  • 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)

On successful completion of the programme, you would be expected to practice within the Trust as a children’s social worker for at least two years to gain your full statutory experience.

Sophie Gilbert, our Trust Practice Academy Head of Service, said: We are thrilled to be supporting and working in partnership with the West Midlands Step Up programme again. This is a fantastic opportunity to really improve the lives of our local children and their families by working with our dedicated professionals. The Step Up programme uses a hands-on approach together with academic learning to really prepare students for working with children and families; and here in the Academy we are really excited to be part of that journey.”

Sirah Ali, our Trust Practice Academy Manager, said: The Step Up to Social Work programme is an excellent opportunity for those wanting a to pursue a career in social work and Birmingham Children's Trust is the right place to help you achieve your goals and learn all about good social work practice.

What do our staff have to say about their Step Up to Social Work experience?

Here's what our recent Step Up graduates, now newly qualified social workers, have to say about the programme. 

Anna Parker: "The transition from university to placement was seamless, thanks to the thorough organisation and planning that had clearly gone into the process.

"The induction and support offered by practice educators within Birmingham Children's Trust was well-structured, informative, and welcoming. What stood out most was the strength of the communication between the university and the Trust. This collaborative approach created a solid support network and added an extra layer of reassurance during my Step Up journey."

Louise Irons: "The Step Up programme has been the perfect way for me to achieve my social work qualification. The course leaders at the University of Birmingham are incredible and, along with the Trust Practice Academy, provided excellent support and guidance along with high quality academic learning and on the job training through work placements. It is an intense course but absolutely life changing in the best way!"

Julie Hindmarsh: "The Step Up to Social Work programme has been the most intensive qualification I have ever done. The 14-month course is fast-paced, with challenges of managing university learning, assignments, placements, portfolios and for me, balancing this with your own family life has at times seemed unachievable.

"However, the University of Birmingham learning experience has been life-changing. The lectures are amazing, and the university staff are supportive throughout the process. Birmingham Children’s Trust have provided well-managed, supportive statutory placements, giving a realistic social work experience that has enhanced my learning and developed my skills and knowledge. The Trust’s working practice model fits well with the taught programme due to its focus on relationships and connections, systems, attachments, and trauma-informed practices.

"I highly recommend anyone with a dream of becoming a social worker to consider the intense but supported Step Up progamme. Its four-month bursary has aided career-movers like me to have the opportunity to become a qualified social worker."

Applications for the 2026 intake are currently closed. The Step Up programme runs every two years, so please refer back to this page at the beginning of 2027 for our next recruitment cycle.