Program Overview

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PG Dip Professional Social Work Practice – Step Up to Social Work

Introduction

Train as a social worker, on campus and out on placement, on this accelerated postgraduate course. Places are fully funded by the Government.

"Step Up to Social Work has been a thoroughly enjoyable experience for me. I was setting a new career where I could use skills I had developed in previous roles as well as using the learning from my undergraduate degree.

"The course teaching is of a high standard and, while this is an intensive course, there is a great deal of support, as well as extensive oversight of your experience while on work placements. This was vital for me as I had never worked within social care before, yet I feel fully prepared for the start of my new career in social work."

NOEL

Step Up to Social Work student

We are happy to announce that Step Up to Social Work has been funded again by the Department for Education and our next cohort will start in January 2026.

Step Up to Social Work is a Government-led initiative to encourage graduates with related experience to enter the profession to work with children and families.

It’s validated by Social Work England, so you can register as a social worker when you graduate. ARU’s Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Social Work Practice – Step Up to Social Work is an intensive 14-month course. You’ll be taught by passionate, knowledgeable tutors and practitioners on our Cambridge campus and gain hands-on experience on placement.

Course Options

• 14 months full-time
• January start
• Cambridge location

Key Facts

• Study options: 14 months full-time
• Start dates: January
• Location: Cambridge
• Fees: £0 (Places are fully funded)

Teaching and Assessment

Year 1

Studying Professional Social Work Practice – Step Up to Social Work at ARU will give you the foundation knowledge you need to work with families. You’ll develop your communication skills and explore theory, the social and political context of social work, child development and different approaches to practice.

Our skills-based modules use interactive methods and are led by tutors, practitioners and service users. Preparation Skills for Practice will help you develop the skills needed for your first placement, which will be in adult practice.

Advanced Skills for Practice focuses on statutory settings and communicating in challenging situations. It’ll be followed by a placement in a children and families setting.

Other modules will further your understanding of the journey taken by families through social care services. We’ll look at the legal context of practice, assessment and intervention, managing risk and working with people with diverse needs.

At the end of each block of teaching you’ll complete a practice placement in your link local authority. The first will be 70 days in adult practice and the second 100 days in a children and families setting.

We’ll assess you through academic assignments, simulated practice, presentations, practice debriefs and the portfolios detailing your professional development.

Core Modules

• Becoming a Social Worker
• Preparation Skills for Practice
• Practice Placement 1
• Working with Families
• Advanced Skills for Practice
• Practice Placement 2

Entry Requirements

• a 2:2 degree qualification (Level 6)
• six 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
• GCSEs in English or English language and mathematics at grade 4 (C) or above (or an approved equivalent)

Fees and Paying for University

• £0 (Places are fully funded)
• Bursaries available
• You’ll be entitled to a bursary of £19,833 for the duration of this course.

Facilities and Accreditation

• Outstanding student support
• Social Work England
• Our Professional Social Work Practice - Step Up to Social Work course is approved by Social Work England, so you can register as a social worker when you graduate.

Lecturers

• Sally Pritchard
• Hazel Evans
• Rachel Fowler

Careers

Completing the ARU Professional Social Work Practice – Step Up to Social Work postgraduate diploma will enable you to register and practise as a social worker.

With this qualification you’ll be able to work in a wide range of settings including local authorities, housing organisations, voluntary and private sector projects, schools and health settings.

While the aim of this course is to train you to become a social worker with children and families, its broad content gives you the versatility to be able to consider other options. For example working with adults, people with mental ill health, learning or physical disabilities, those who have committed criminal offences, who misuse drugs or alcohol, or who live in communal settings.

Graduation doesn’t have to be the end of your time with us. After completing this course, you can opt to take an additional dissertation based module and gain a full Masters degree in Social Work at ARU. This element is self-funded.