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Step Up to Social Work 2026

04MR17

Volunteer Section Leader, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Applications for the 2026 step up to social work programme will open on 17th February 2025

Has anyone applied? :smile:

Post below

Reply 1

Rrr1990

Original post by 04MR17

Applications for the 2026 step up to social work programme will open on 17th February 2025
Has anyone applied? :smile:

Post below

I will be applying 😊 I've posted a question about placement/studying ratio and what the average working week looks like, do you have any idea? Thanks

Reply 2

A.ali27

I’m looking forward to applying next month too! My supervising social worker mentioned that the course is intensive! (I’m a foster carer).

Which universities are you planning on applying to?

Reply 3

Lastseenneverr

Hey! I’m thinking of applying to this but worried I don’t have enough experience - I come from an esol/efl teaching background - worth applying for or not?

Reply 4

A.ali27

Original post by Lastseenneverr

Hey! I’m thinking of applying to this but worried I don’t have enough experience - I come from an esol/efl teaching background - worth applying for or not?

Hi! You’d fit the criteria nicely if you’ve taught vulnerable adults/children for 6 months+. You usually have a lot of unaccompanied minors that are in care/or are care leavers in ESOL courses.

Given this course is based on DfE funding, only runs every two years and is a fast track programme- I’d say it is worth applying!

Reply 5

Lastseenneverr

Original post by A.ali27

Hi! You’d fit the criteria nicely if you’ve taught vulnerable adults/children for 6 months+. You usually have a lot of unaccompanied minors that are in care/or are care leavers in ESOL courses.
Given this course is based on DfE funding, only runs every two years and is a fast track programme- I’d say it is worth applying!

Thanks for your reply and insight! I’ll definitely try, although I’ve heard that they’re super competitive. I’ve just finished my assessment day with Think Ahead and didn’t get through (awaiting feedback) and the whole process was so mentally and emotionally consuming.
I’ll be applying for Birmingham if and when I do apply!

Reply 6

Bella.2025

If you don't mind sharing, can you say what went wrong? Thank you! I have an assessment coming up and I'm quite anxious

Reply 7

MadisonBr

I've also applied for 2026! 🤞It'll be an anxious wait to hear whether my application has been progressed or not. Good luck everyone 🙂

Reply 8

hannahs80

Hi I am applying for Jan 2026 cohort, struggling with the last competency question about reflecting and analytical account. I am a SEN Teaching Assistant. Applying to North East London - must be very competitive.