Professional Social Work Practice (Taught)

This innovative Postgraduate Diploma is part of the Step Up to Social Work programme that allows you to become a social worker in just 14 months.

The course blends practical experience with academic study, leading to a nationally recognised professional qualification in social work. Commissioned by two regional employer partnerships, it provides high-quality, work-based education and training for aspiring social workers, with placements in a local authority. The course is funded by the Department for Education; students receive a bursary and are fully supported by a local authority children’s services department. To apply, you need at least six months’ experience (work or volunteering) with children, young people or families.

Course accreditation
Our Social Work courses are accredited by Social Work England. Once you have completed this course, you will be a qualified social worker and can apply to Social Work England for your professional registration.

Facilities and specialist equipment

• Gain access to the Faculty’s range of simulation units and the Moot Court for practising real-world scenarios you may encounter

• Laptops and mobile phones (where applicable) are provided by your local authority for use while on placement

Career-powered links
Two Step Up regional partnerships: South East (Oxfordshire, Milton Keynes, Central Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire) and the Central Eastern (Hertfordshire, Luton and Bedford).

Your student experience

Benefit from intensive, hands-on experience of working in a social work role through placements in a local authority.

Earn as you learn with a tax-free bursary and payment of University fees for successful applicants.

Study the social power structures that create inequalities alongside the tools and techniques you can use to counter them.

Build the transferable skills of initiative, resourcefulness, critical reflection and emotional literacy.

On successful completion, you are guaranteed an interview for a social worker role.

After you complete the course, there is also the option to 'top up' your PgDip to a Master's, while working as a qualified social worker, by completing an optional dissertation unit. In some circumstances, your local authority may pay your university fees for this unit.

Course modules

Reflective social work practice – Develop the skills of critical and reflective awareness and apply them in evaluating of your current practice.

Developing professional social work practice – On placement, demonstrate your understanding of and ability to apply theory and research to practice in complex and unpredictable work situations.

Ethical perspectives on law and society – Explore the relationship between the law and social work, particularly relevant legal powers and duties; social work values; and administrative law.

Research-informed childcare practice – Contribute to the planning, development, delivery and evaluation of services in a chosen area of childcare-related practice.

We make every effort to ensure the information here is accurate; however, for the most up-to-date information, visit our website.

The course is assessed using a range of methods including formally assessed papers, assignments, case studies, group and individual presentations, research-based work and evidence drawn from learning in the workplace. All unit assessments will draw on your experiences in the workplace in order to embed the integration of theory and practice.

Representatives of students’ sponsoring authorities and service users and carers will be fully involved in all relevant assessment tasks to ensure that your learning is assessed against the requirements of the profession. Your formal work-based learning will be assessed over two periods in a variety of social work and related settings.