Step Up To Social Work

Westmorland and Furness are delighted to be working with the Yorkshire and Humberside regional partnership to offer the opportunity for aspiring social workers to apply for a 2026 place on the intensive but highly rewarding post graduate diploma in social work degree programme.

Step Up to Social Work is an intensive full-time, fully funded, Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work training programme that allows you to become a qualified social worker in just 14 months.

We are looking for people who are committed to making a difference for disadvantaged children and families. You need to have a willingness to learn, be emotionally resilient and be able to undertake this challenging yet hugely rewarding academic degree programme.

Candidates are eligible to apply if they have:

• a minimum 2:2 BA/BSc honours degree qualification (level 6) or an MA (level 7) in any subject. Those who already hold a social work degree are not eligible to apply. Original qualification certificates will be required. Final year students will be eligible to apply with a minimum 2:2 predicted grade with a letter from their current University provider where they are graduating.
• 6 months’ full-time (or equivalent) direct experience, either in a paid or voluntary capacity, of working with vulnerable children, young people and/or families, carers or vulnerable adults.
• A GCSE in English or English language at grade 4 (C) or above (or an approved equivalent). Original qualification certificates will be required.

This is a unique opportunity to earn while you learn, as the DfE provides funding via a tax free bursary payment of £21,994.80 and payment of University fees to 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 only runs once every two years, dependent on government funding, so if you’re interested, make sure you don’t miss out on your chance to apply!