Do it for changing your career and becoming a children’s social worker
The Step Up to Social Work programme
Do you have a degree in a subject with no real career prospects, why not join us and become a children’s social worker? The Step Up to Social Work programme is a unique opportunity to receive support while you train to start a new career in social work. During the 14-month training programme, you will receive hands-on experience working in a real-life social work role through placements in children’s care here in Devon County Council 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. It provides a tax-free bursary of £21,995 paid throughout the programme to support you during your training. The programme runs once every two years, dependent on government funding, so if you are interested, make sure you don’t miss out on your chance to apply!
Criteria for applying
Have achieved minimum of a 2:2 honours degree (or equivalent) in any subject except social work or be predicted to achieve a minimum of a 2:2 honours degree if you are graduating in Summer 2025**
For some Local Authority areas, there will also be a requirement to have a GCSE in Mathematics (or an approved equivalent).
A GCSE in English or English language at grade 4 (C) or above (or an approved equivalent)
Live in England upon commencing the programme and have the right to live and study in the UK, and remain so for the duration of the programme (including access to public funds). There is no sponsorship available for this programme.
Have a minimum of 6 months full-time (or part time equivalent) direct experience of working with vulnerable children, young people and/or families/carers or vulnerable adults, either in a paid or voluntary capacity
Be able to show evidence of your qualifications (such as original certificates) and relevant ID documents.
Complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
As Devon is geographically dispersed, you will require a driving license and access to a car.
The application process is made up of the following stages:
Application stage: All applications are initially assessed to ensure that they meet the essential eligibility criteria for the programme. Please read the candidate guide covering how to complete the application form before starting the application process.
Shortlisting: Following initial assessment on eligibility criteria, Regional Partnerships shortlist applications based on your responses to the competency based questions in the application form. As the decision whether you will progress to the written exercise/assessment centre is based on your application form, please do not leave completing your application to the last minute as it will take some time to produce a compelling high standard application.
Written Exercise / Assessment Centre: if you are successful at the shortlisting stage, you will be invited to complete a written exercise and attend an assessment centre. If you are invited to attend the assessment centre, you will be provided with full details of what you can expect on the day and how to prepare in advance.
Offer/on-boarding: If you are successful at the written exercise and assessment centre stage you will be offered a ‘provisional’ place on the programme. This offer is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) and an occupational health check, as well as reference checks. If all checks are satisfactory, you will be accepted onto the programme and will commence in January 2026. If you have applied with a predicted degree grade, you will need to provide evidence of your final 2:2 or higher undergraduate degree grade, before commencement of the programme.
For more information on the programme, visit the Step Up to Social Work website.
Applications are now OPEN to join Step Up to Social Work!
To apply visit the Step Up to Social Work website.
To assist you in your application, they have produced a candidate guide to familiarise yourself with their assessment process. You can download the candidate guide here.
Applications will close at noon on 25th March 2025.
So don’t miss out!
Career Opportunities
Looking for a Children’s Social Care career?
The place to live
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Flexible working opportunities
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Get in touch
childsc.recruitmentchildrenssocialwork-mailbox@devon.gov.uk
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