New programme aims to help get more people qualified in social care
A city council is encouraging people to look at a new and alternative way into working in children's social work.
Wolverhampton Council is promoting the Step Up To Social Work, a 14-month, full-time training programme offering talented graduates and career changers the chance 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 and successful applicants train through a combination of academic study and hands on social work experience with a local council.
Applicants eligible for the programme, which offers financial support alongside training, include people with experience of working with vulnerable children, young people, families or adults, and who can demonstrate emotional resilience and potential for success.
The course will be running from January 2024 to March 2025 and this will be the third cohort of Step Up students Wolverhampton Council has supported.
The course is delivered at Birmingham University and is fully funded, with a bursary attached, and participants will obtain a Post Graduate Diploma in Social Work.
At the end of the course, successful candidates will be supported to practice as a children’s social worker in Wolverhampton, or with one of the other organisations in the West Midlands which are partnering with the programme.
Councillor Beverley Momenabadi, Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “We are really pleased to be partnering once more with the Step Up to Social Work programme and this is a brilliant opportunity for anyone interested in becoming a children’s social worker.
"Wolverhampton is a great place to do social work and we would really encourage people to consider and apply for this fantastic programme.”
Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing, Claire Coutinho said: “I’ve been truly inspired by the social workers that I’ve met.
"The passion and support they provide for children and families is a real testament to the profession and it is what makes it such a rewarding career.
“To attract more great social workers we’re helping councils, including Wolverhampton Council, with recruitment and retention, along with better support for social workers with new early career development.”
More information about applying to Step Up to Social Work can be found at susw.eu-careers.pocketrecruiter.com and applications close on Friday, March 24.
