Step up to social work is an intensive, 14-month, full-time programme run by the Department for Education. If you want to become a social worker but do not have a degree in social work, you can train through this programme.
The Kent and Medway Regional Partnership will be opening a new recruitment round for 20 aspiring social workers to start this programme in January 2026.
Students can expect to learn through a combination of academic study and real social work experience in either Kent or Medway Local Authority. On completion, the Postgraduate Diploma will enable graduates to register and practice as a social worker, making a difference by nurturing relationships with families during difficult times and by protecting children.
Social work is both a challenging and rewarding career through which you can make a real difference for 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.
This is a unique opportunity to earn while you learn, as the Department for Education provides funding via a tax-free bursary payment of £19,833, over the duration of the programme, and payment of University fees for successful applicants. This will allow you to change or start a new career in social work and be able to continue to pay your bills and fund your living costs while you are studying. 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.
The School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research is one of the best in the country for teaching and research. Successful graduates of the Step-Up to Social Work programme are eligible to apply to register with Social Work England, the regulatory body for social work, meaning that you are ready to jump into a meaningful and successful career in social work.
Recruitment to Step Up to Social Work is managed by the Kent and Medway regional partnership, and applications to Step Up to Social Work must be made through a central Department for Education application portal. Please note that applications must be made by noon (UK time) on Monday 3 April.
We are looking for strong graduates 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.
You will need to have a minimum 2:2 level 6 degree qualification, for example an honours degree or a graduate certificate (this can be in any subject) to apply to the programme. You should also have GCSEs in English or English Language and Mathematics at grade C or above, or the new grade 4 and above (or an approved equivalent). 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
Please note:
To apply to the Step Up to Social Work programme applicant must live in England and have the right to live and study in the UK (including access to public funds)
All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications and relevant experience may also be taken into account when considering applications.
Please see our International Student website for entry requirements by country and other relevant information. Due to visa restrictions, students who require a student visa to study cannot study part-time unless undertaking a distance or blended-learning programme with no on-campus provision.
This course requires a Very Good level of English language, equivalent to a high B2 on CEFR.
Details on how to meet this requirement can be found on our English Language requirements webpage.
Examples:
Examples:
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.
You will gain an in-depth understanding of the theory and approaches of social work and develop the knowledge and skills required to start a career as a practising social worker.
Duration: 14 months full-time
Students will be introduced to concepts of professionalism and relationships in social work and the role of self-monitoring, reflection, reflective practice and emotional resilience. They will learn about, critically discuss and practise a range of core communication and interpersonal skills. Indicative skills are: effective contact with service users and colleagues; active listening and attending skills; the role of non-verbal communication; empathy; effective use of questions; paraphrasing and summarising; challenging constructively and managing conflict; the use of electronic and telephone communication; constructive use of feedback; developing leadership skills; and working with people with special communication needs.
The module will begin with a general introduction to lifespan approaches. Students will study physical, cognitive and social development in early and later childhood; attachment theory and its relevance to social work practice; and the impact of life transitions, loss, trauma, disability, neglect and abuse, as well as issues around resilience. Broader social influences on individuals and families will also be examined, such as diversity and difference throughout the life span, acknowledging cross-cultural differences in attachment, development and separation. In relation to each topic multiple perspectives (biological/medical, cognitive, developmental, psychodynamic, humanistic, narrative, among others) will be critically examined. Theoretical learning about life-course development will be systematically linked to social work practice with children and families in relation to the assessment of need, risk and strengths, working in partnership, and ethical and value-based interventions.
Through this module students will develop a critical understanding of social work processes, including models and methods of assessment and intervention relevant to child and family social work. Students will explore and critically reflect on the role of theory in social work and its intersection with the development of interventions and social work skills. Specific approaches and perspectives in assessment and intervention with individuals, families, groups and communities will be explored and critically reviewed, including systemic and therapeutic approaches, motivational interviewing, and the Signs of Safety model. The module will incorporate use of simulations from the Centre for Child Protection to support students in relating their learning and practising their skills in a simulated practice situation.
The curriculum will address the need for social workers to have in depth knowledge and understanding of the law and its applications to social work practice. The history, context, and nature of English law and law making will be covered including natural law and positivist law and their intersection with ethics and philosophy. The 'legal framework' of English social work including legislation, quasi-legislation and social policy will be outlined, as will the process - and political context - of policy-making and implementation. Primary and secondary legislation, policy and guidance and the cases that together constitute 'the law & policy' relating to key service user groups will be outlined. Students will study the application of legislation and policy as it relates to social work with children and families, including its duties and discretionary powers. Judicial interpretation relevant to social work, the role and nature of Courts and the legal profession, legal procedure and the nature of evidence will also be covered. Human Rights and equality law with a particular focus on justice and the promotion of equality in the areas of 'race', gender and sexual orientation, disability and age will be addressed as will legal systems and frameworks relating to safeguarding and the management of confidential information.
Students will undertake a period of assessed practice learning, in accordance with the national requirements for Social Work education for the first year of a postgraduate Social Work course. They will develop skills, knowledge and values through experiential learning supervised by a qualified practice educator. Involvement in practice activities will enable students to demonstrate effective use of knowledge, skills and commitment to core values in social work in a given setting in predominantly less complex situations, with supervision and support. They will be expected to show capacity to work with people in situations where there may not be simple clear-cut solutions.
This module considers key issues for families in the contemporary context, from a social work perspective. The effects of interlinked processes such as poverty, domestic abuse, substance misuse, mental health needs, learning disability and physical ill health and disability will be explored, together with their impact on parenting, family functioning and the experience and needs of children. The module examines the interaction of disadvantage in society, marginalisation, isolation and social exclusion with psychological and social factors that bring children and families to the attention of social workers. Sociological and critical perspectives will be considered, and the impact of demographic change, culture and ethnicity will be explored in relation to social work practice with children and families.
This module will enable students to consolidate their learning from earlier modules and practice placements and integrate this with more advanced learning about social work practice with children and families, including engaging and working in partnership with children, young people and parents, assessment of risk, safeguarding interventions, fostering and adoption issues, and working with children and young people in and leaving care. Effective models practice will be identified as will the relationships between child protection and family support, and outcomes, best practice and early intervention. The nature and role of research and theory in informing interventions, and key messages from research, inquiry reports, serious case reviews and government commissioned reports will be considered. Students will be supported to develop their understanding and skills in relation to assessment, risk and risk management, professional judgement, decision making and working in complex, unpredictable and emotionally demanding situations, and in developing themselves as critical, reflective, ethical and effective practitioners.
Simulations from the Centre for Child Protection will be used to support the students’ development of confident practice skills and integration of theory and practice. There will also be practical sessions to develop students’ skills in direct work activities with children and parents. This module links to all 10 statements of the Department for Education Knowledge and Skills Statement for Approved Child and Family Practitioners (2014).
Students will undertake a period of assessed practice learning, in accordance with the national requirements for Social Work education for the final placement of a postgraduate Social Work programme. They will develop skills, knowledge and values through experiential learning supervised by a qualified practice educator. Involvement in practice activities will enable students by the end of the final placement to have demonstrated the knowledge, skills and values to work with a range of user groups, and the ability to undertake a range of tasks at a foundation level; the capacity to work with more complex situations; they should be able to work more autonomously, whilst recognising that the final decision will still rest with their supervisor; and they will seek appropriate support and supervision. This module will also contribute to students’ development in relation to all statements of the Knowledge and Skills Statement for Approved Child and Family Practitioners (2014).
On successful completion of the Diploma, students may opt to undertake the Dissertation module to achieve the MA Social Work. Students are required to have passed the Diploma in full before being allowed to register for the dissertation module.
During the assessment centre phases you are required to demonstrate or show the potential to learn quickly and demonstrate:
All students registered for a taught Master's programme are eligible to apply for a place on our Global Skills Award Programme. The programme is designed to broaden your understanding of global issues and current affairs as well as to develop personal skills which will enhance your employability.
SSPSSR has a long and distinguished history, and is one of the largest and most successful social science research communities in Europe.
In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, 100% of our Social Work and Social Policy research was classified as ‘world-leading’ or 'internationally excellent' for impact and environment.
The School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research is one of the best in the country for teaching and research.
Successful graduates of the Step-Up to Social Work programme are eligible to apply to register with Social Work England, the regulatory body for social work, meaning that you are ready to jump into a meaningful and successful career in social work.
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
Tuition fees may be increased in the second and subsequent years of your course. Detailed information on possible future increases in tuition fees is contained in the Tuition Fees Increase Policy. If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk.
Find out more about general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
Please note that students will be required to travel between their home and placement, and will need to have business insurance.
Step Up to Social Work is funded by the Department for Education.
If your application is successful, you will:
We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.
Next steps
Recruitment to Step Up to Social Work is managed by the Kent and Medway regional partnership, and applications to Step Up to Social Work must be made through a central Department for Education application portal.
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