The Step Up To Social Work programme in North Lincolnshire Council opens for recruitment today, 17 February 2025, for aspiring social workers to apply for a place on the intensive but highly rewarding training programme.
Social work is widely acknowledged as a highly rewarding career, giving you the deep satisfaction of making a positive difference to people’s lives.
Step Up To Social Work is 14-month, full-time training programme for talented graduates and career changers to become the next generation of child and family social workers supporting vulnerable children, young people and families.
It is designed for people who want to become a social worker but do not have a degree in social work. Successful applicants train through a combination of academic study and hands on social work experience in a local authority.
Applicants eligible for the programme, which includes financial support alongside training, will be individuals with experience of working with vulnerable children, young people, families or adults, and who can demonstrate emotional resilience and potential for success.
Step Up To Social Work aims to attract applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and aims to have a workforce that represents the society that we serve.
Cllr Julie Reed, cabinet member for children, families, and communities, said: “North Lincolnshire Council is thrilled to once again be a partner of the Step Up To Social Work programme and to be opening up applications for new recruits. This is an excellent opportunity for those looking to make a real difference in the lives of children, young people, and families in our community.
“Social work is an incredibly rewarding career, and through this programme, we aim to attract individuals from all backgrounds to join our dedicated team, providing essential support to those who need it most.”
The Step Up programme is backed by the Department for Education to support 700 individuals to enter the social work profession in local authorities across England in 2026.
This funding will support individuals with training costs and a bursary of £21,995 over the duration of the programme.
Isabelle Trowler, chief social worker for children and families, said: “It is excellent to see the quality of the hundreds of graduates who qualify as social workers through the Step Up programme, and encouraged to see them start out on a long-term career in social work.
“Our profession is highly challenging, but highly rewarding, and Step Up is developing a highly skilled workforce ready to make a genuine positive impact on people’s lives.”
This will be the ninth cohort of Step Up since 2010, the programme has successfully supported over 2,900 social workers to enter the profession across England.
For more information about the programme and how to apply visit the Step Up page on our website.
