Job Introduction
Step Up to Social Work is an intensive, 14-month, full-time programme for people who want to become social workers, but do not have a degree in social work. Applications for the 8th cohort of Step Up, commencing in January 2024, are now open. The application window closes at noon on Friday 24th March.
Main Responsibility
Successful applicants will train through a combination of academic study and hands on social work experience in a local authority. We have a dedicated expert team offering one to one support to candidates requiring reasonable adjustments throughout the process.
Successful applicants will receive a bursary of £19,833 over the duration of the programme to support them whilst in training.
On successful completion of the programme, participants qualify with a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work. This qualification allows them to apply to register with Social Work England and to practice as a qualified social worker.
You can find out more about the programme and how to apply here: Home | Step Up to Social Work (pocketrecruiter.com)
The Ideal Candidate
To apply for the Step Up to Social Work programme, you will need:
- a minimum 2.2 degree qualification (level 6) in any discipline except social work from a UK higher education institution or an approved overseas equivalent. Final year students are not eligible. You must have completed your degree programme to apply
- GCSEs in English or English Language and Mathematics at grade C or above, or the new grade 4 or above (or an approved equivalent)
- a minimum of 6 months full-time (or equivalent) direct experience of working with vulnerable children, young people and/or families/carers or vulnerable adults, either in a paid or voluntary capacity
- to show evidence of your qualifications (such as certificates). Please ensure that you have the relevant electronic versions to upload these to the application portal
- to live in England and have the right to live and study in the UK (including access to public funds)
- to be able to complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
These roles will require you to travel and so you will need to confirm you are able to travel for work. In some locations you will also need to have a driving license and use of a vehicle.
Applications that do not meet all of these criteria will not be assessed.
To start the application process, you will need to choose the Regional Partnership (RP) to which you wish to apply. You can find more details about the local authorities offering Step Up to Social Work here. And you can click here to apply.
If you need any adjustments to be made to the application process, please contact Step Up to speak to one of our team about your needs via StepUp@capitaras.co.uk or 03300 417486.
Step Up to Social Work is funded by the Department for Education.
About Staffordshire County Council
We are no ordinary county council:
Our Values:
The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively.
Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy:
We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.
We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too.
Our benefits:
We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance.
In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to a range of benefits.
Our recruitment process:
As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities
As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Silver Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
As you’ll know safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people/vulnerable adults is important to us and that’s why this position is subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. If applicable you should disclose details of unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions in your application form.
