Ealing Council is joining a national campaign to recruit more people into social work and is encouraging residents to sign up to the training programme.

The Step Up to Social Work government programme gives graduates or people looking for a career change the chance to join the next generation of social workers.

Applications must be received next week – by 7 April – to be in with a chance of scooping one of the 37 west London places available on the 14-month full-time programme, which runs every two years. Students will each receive a bursary of £19,833 over the duration of the programme to support them whilst in training.

The council’s head of training and social care development, Jill Pearce, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for aspiring social workers to start their social work career with our outstanding team. We have five employees on the current programme, which finishes in May and a previous successful candidate has been working with us for about four years so far.”

Step Up social worker student at Ealing Council, Kaesha Richardson, added: “I would recommend anyone to undertake this route, Ealing is a borough that is really invested in providing the best opportunities to their student social workers through training, mentoring and statutory placement to prepare you for the world of social work.”

Students can expect to start the programme in January 2022, completing their training in March 2023.

Candidates are eligible to apply if they hold a minimum 2:1 level six degree qualification i.e. a honours degree or a graduate certificate; or a minimum 2:2 honours degree plus a postgraduate qualification (level seven or above) for example, a master’s degree or a postgraduate certificate/ postgraduate diploma, in a discipline other than social work.

They should also have GCSEs in English or English language and mathematics at grade C or above, or the new grade 4 and above (or an approved equivalent).

Candidates should also be able to demonstrate significant experience of either working or substantial volunteering with vulnerable children, young people and/or families/ carers or adults.

You can find more information about applying to Step Up to Social Work on the government’s website.

For more jobs and skills opportunities, the council has web pages and a dedicated website to help you.