Professional Social Work Practice - Step Up to Social Work PGDip

Introduction

Applications for Cohort 7 have closed. Information about applications for Cohort 8 will be available in Spring 2023 with the course starting in January 2024. 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. 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.

At ARU, we’ll support you to integrate your postgraduate academic study with the practical skills and experience you need to become an effective social worker. Blocks of time will be spent studying on campus, where service users and practitioners will join us to provide a real-life context for your learning. University-based teaching sessions take place in January to mid-February and end of July to beginning of September. There is also an on-campus day per month during the rest of your course. Each semester you’ll spend time in practice placements in children’s and adult services. Placements total 170 days and take place with local authorities in the Eastern Regional Partnership. The participating partners for Cohort 7 are Cambridgeshire County Council, Peterborough City Council, Essex County Council, Norfolk County Council Suffolk County Council, Thurrock Council and Southend on Sea Borough Council. You’ll be supported by your link local authority and personal tutor, and have access to bespoke study skills support. We’ll also help you link up with former students and partnership colleagues to encourage you to think about where you want to work in the future.

How you'll be assessed

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

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.

A first degree with honours at a minimum final classification of Upper Second (2:1) preferred; 3 GCSEs at grade C, or grade 4, or above, including English and Maths; to receive an offer of a place on this course you must be successful at interview; applications are made via the Department for Education and not UCAS.