Photo: Nicola Barts

Can you become a social worker later in life?

It's never too late to switch to social work and make a huge difference for children and families.

lbhf.gov.uk - Step Up to Social Work | LBHF

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What is Step Up to Social Work?

Throughout the past year, the impact of COVID-19 and the subsequent restrictions it has enforced on public life has made our social worker workforce as critical as ever. Vulnerable families are facing a wide range of difficult challenges due to the virus and social restrictions, which has led to an increased need for support for both children and families throughout the course of the pandemic, and the upcoming road to recovery. Step Up is a fast-track social work training programme for high calibre graduates interested in career changes, nationally recognised and fully funded. The programme was designed to support highly skilled graduates into children’s social care. We are particularly interested in applications from men and from BAME candidates, as these groups are under-represented in this area of social work. The programme offers you a 14-month postgraduate diploma, enabling you to register as a qualified social worker, followed by a dissertation module to achieve a Master’s degree in social work. Step Up is employer-led, delivered by the West London Social Work Partnership on behalf of the Department for Education together with the University of Hertfordshire. Join us for an information session and meet graduates, current students and teaching staff. We are hosting two session:

23 February 5pm to 6:30pm

16 March 5pm to 6:30pm

The formal application process is starting! Applications open on the 15 February for our next cohort, and training would start in January 2022. Applications close 7 April for a chance to be part of the next #StepUpToSocialWork programme. It's never too late to switch to social work and make a huge difference for children and families.

Apply now

What are the benefits of Step Up?

It’s funded: you’ll receive a bursary of approximately £19,000 to train, and there are no tuition fees to pay. you’ll receive a bursary of approximately £19,000 to train, and there are no tuition fees to pay. It’s fast-track: after 14 months you can qualify as a social worker and start employment; following this, you will be supported to complete a dissertation and gain a Master’s qualification over the course of your first year in practice now called ASYE. after 14 months you can qualify as a social worker and start employment; following this, you will be supported to complete a dissertation and gain a Master’s qualification over the course of your first year in practice now called ASYE. It’s practice-led: you will be hosted by one of the 8 West London boroughs throughout your training, completing 170 days on placement and gaining the real-life knowledge, skills and experience to equip you for practice. you will be hosted by one of the 8 West London boroughs throughout your training, completing 170 days on placement and gaining the real-life knowledge, skills and experience to equip you for practice. It’s a path to employment: upon successful completion, we aim for 100% employment rates of our graduates within West London.

And why train in West London?

We are one of the only Step Up to Social Work programmes in the country that funds its graduates to complete a research project and gain a Master’s degree, giving you the opportunity to develop your research skills, gain a higher qualification and contribute to best practice in social work. The west London boroughs offer great opportunities for training and development and networking post qualification. These boroughs are at the forefront of improving outcomes for children and families, with a number of innovative practice models embedded across the region including systemic practice approaches, strengths based models, and signs of safety. Teaching sessions take place in central London, delivered by experienced academics in partnership with experts by experience and practitioners in the field. During the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, the teaching shifted online with live lectures, weekly journal clubs and pastoral groups. The University of Hertfordshire has been awarded Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework, and has been ranked in the top 25 universities for social work education by the Complete University Guide. The West London Step Up to Social Work Programme offers excellence in both teaching and practice, laying firm foundations for an outstanding career in social work.

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What do I need to apply?

We are looking for strong graduates who have experience of working with vulnerable children, young people, families or adults and who can demonstrate their maturity and emotional resilience. The Department for Education hold central information on the next cohort and application openings. Check on the DfE website for current updates. a minimum 2:1 level 6 degree qualification, for example, a degree with honours or a graduate certificate a minimum 2:2 honours degree plus a higher degree (level 7 or above), for example, a master’s degree or a Postgraduate Certificate/Postgraduate Diploma GCSEs in English or English language and mathematics at grade C or above (or approved equivalent); or the new grade 4 and above (or an approved equivalent)

experience of voluntary or paid work with children, young people or families

residency in England

You will need to show all of your original certificates to us as part of the application and assessment process. If you cannot find these, you can order replacements online. We are particularly interested in applications from men and from BAME candidates, as these groups are under-represented in this area of social work.

So, what else do I need to know?

The programme is full-time, the current cohort started in January 2020 and the next cohort starts in January 2022 Full-time means that you will be doing various activities throughout the day and will need to do self-directed study in the evenings and at weekends.

You should be interested in working with children, young people and families.

You’ll need to pass rigorous academic assignments and placements to progress through the four phases of the programme. This a demanding course which requires resilience, commitment and determination both personally and professionally. Applicants should be able to demonstrate emotional resilience to become effective social workers.

100% attendance at placements, teaching days, and skills sessions is required.

We aim to employ 100% successful graduates in a front-line team, working with children and families and offer a guarantee of interviews within the host borough.

What do our graduates and students say?

“I've enjoyed how organised tutors have been to allow students to seamlessly study from home […] I can work at my own pace and ensure I have grasped everything.” “I feel like so far on the Step Up programme I have learnt so much and have felt so grateful to have the opportunity to learn about such interesting things. I can feel myself growing as a person as time goes by and, due to placements, my confidence has grown massively.” “I have like it all, as an online course it has been easy to navigate online materials, plenty of chat rooms, discussion boards. Zoom/MS teams for lectures have been great with good balance of powerpoint, break out rooms, group discussion etc” “I have really enjoyed the course and I have learnt a lot. Particularly, I have learnt a lot about social word practice and legislation. My knowledge around social justice and policy has also increased a lot and I have step up to thank for that. Covid-19 has changed society a lot but the step up team has really made learning very convenient and adaptable for this cohort.”

“For me, personally, Step Up has been transformational”

“I have found the peer support in the cohort to be invaluable”

“I had really varied exposure to practice in different areas”

“The course really prepares you for the workplace”

Step Up graduates talking about the programme (YouTube)

“This course has put such effort into creating a support and safety network of so many different committed people… I’m really grateful for this, thank you Step Up.” Student “I can honestly say that the Step Up to Social Work course has been one of the most difficult things I have ever undertaken, and equally the most rewarding.” Student A social worker describes her time as a student on the programme (YouTube)

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Case study - Anita, 29, current student on West London Step Up with University of Hertfordshire Prior to Step Up, I was an Assistant Psychologist working within the NHS. Within this role, I have worked within forensic settings and personality disorder community services. What are you reasons for applying? Whilst I absolutely loved my former job, I have always been interested in explicitly working with children and families. Interestingly, I have always said to myself that if I did not work within psychological settings, I would be a social worker as I have been fascinated by systemic processes used to support to service users. I also had the opportunity to work alongside social workers and was intrigued by their knowledge and expertise. The description of Step Up caught my eye, and the fact that it was an accelerated course definitely helped! How are you finding Step Up so far? Interesting, challenging and stimulating! I am surprised at how much material we have covered over the last 12 months! Studying and doing a placement during a pandemic has allowed me to learn a completely different way of working, especially supporting vulnerable people virtually – something that I did not think was possible! What are some of the highlights for you? I have really enjoyed the workshops and guest speakers on the course. They brought to life the nature of social work and how it is always adapting as a discipline. I was also fortunate to have placements supporting various client groups that I have never worked with. Any tips for future applicants? Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Be kind to yourself as the course can get overwhelming too. And enjoy being a student!

Step Up cohort 6 update

Step Up cohort 6 began in January 2020. Students on the programme are dedicated, committed and resilient. They have been studying online and doing placement learning in their local authorities in person throughout. They are making a difference in the lives of children and families in the West London communities. Staff working with the students say they are enthusiastic, have a positive attitude, are motivated, have a willingness to learn, are imaginative, work with complex issues very well and have advanced reflexion and reflection skills.

Cohort 7 Update

Applications will be open from the 15 February to the 7 April. Get in touch with us should you have any questions or need help with the application. Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates have been underrepresented in this area the nationally, therefore applications from these backgrounds are particularly welcomed. West London Step Up are hosting two information sessions via Eventbrite on the 23 February and 16 March. Please join us to ask any questions and meet graduates and current students. Assessment Centres will take place on the week commencing the 28 June 2021 (save the week).

Teaching for Step Up cohort 7 begins in January 2022.

Further information

If you are interested in finding out more about Step Up or whether you are eligible, please contact the Step Up Practice Manager to discuss your eligibility and/or experience. To find out more about the role of a children’s social worker, have a look at the Knowledge and Skills Statement and the Professional Capabilities Framework.