Professional Social Work Practice – Step Up to Social Work at Anglia Ruskin University

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.

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.