Step-Up to Social Work
Step-Up information
Applications for Step-Up to Social Work will next open in 2025.
Apply for your Step Up to Social Workplace and qualify in just 14 months!
Applications for the 2026-2027 Step-Up to Social Work will open in early 2025 so please do keep checking back to this site as we will update information on this opportunity as soon as the application process commences.
Birmingham Children’s Trust are pleased to continue working with the West Midlands Step Up to Social Work Regional Partnership, in conjunction with the University of Birmingham, to support the recruitment of Cohort 9 of Step Up to Social Work staff.
Step Up to Social Work is a fast-paced, full-time training programme leading to a PG Diploma in Social Work to start your career as a children’s social worker in fourteen months.
We would be delighted for you to join the Trust and be fully supported within our dedicated specialist teams to develop your career.
The cost of the course will be updated closer to the time of new applications being submitted for 2025. Currently, all applicants who are accepted on to the course receive a tax- free bursary of over £19,000 towards living expenses, travel costs and any childcare arrangements. All fees are fully paid for this programme within the West Midlands currently, please do check back for any changes in this for 2025.
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 Manager, 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.”
What do our staff have to say about their Step Up to Social Work experience?
Tasleem Akhtar said: ‘’The Step-Up programme has been a fantastic course to be on, as it has served to amplify my confidence and self-awareness, both attributes which are essential to the role. I have had the opportunity to really dig deep in terms of who I am, and how as a professional we are required to balance our sense of self with the needs, wishes and feelings of others. The course as well as the placements, have given me the necessary skills to ensure that I continue my journey onwards, ensuring that my practice is imbued with the ability to be non-judgemental, and work in an anti-oppressive manner."
Leanne Harper said: “The programme, for me has been life changing. It’s intense, fast paced and challenging, however the support throughout has been excellent. I would recommend the programme to anyone considering a career in this field. It’s very well managed and gives a realistic insight into the world of social work.”
Jonathan said: “I came into Step Up as I wanted to make a career change and the fourteen-month nature of the course and the bursary made it possible for me as an older student, with family and financial commitments to start my journey into social work. Throughout, the pace has been rapid, and the learning and the experience have been challenging and engaging. It has never been boring! For anyone wanting to change directions and to enter the world of social work I couldn’t recommend the course highly enough.”
How do I find out more?
- Applications are now closed for 2024. We are no longer accepting any further applicants for Cohort 8.
- Please check back in October 2024 for further information if you’re interested in Birmingham Children's Trust being your host employer.