Step Up to Social Work 2024 recruiting to begin

Apply for your Step Up to Social Work place and qualify in just 14 months! Applications for the 2024 – 2025 Step-Up to Social Work will open in February 2023 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 7 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. 

Starting in January 2024 through to March 2025, you will receive a tax-free bursary of over £19,000 towards your living expenses, travel costs and any childcare arrangements.  All course fees are fully paid, so why not stay locally in the Birmingham and West Midlands area?

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?

Talk to us further if you’re interested in Birmingham Children's Trust being your host employer.

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