It takes a special person to "step up" to social work – are you that person?

Somerset County Council is looking for the right people to start a challenging and rewarding career making a real difference to the lives of children and families.

Somerset's 'Step Up to Social Work' programme offers a unique opportunity to train for a career in social work and receive a tax-free bursary of almost £20,000 during your studies.

Successful completion of our 14-month training programme leads to a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work, enabling you to apply to register and practice as a Social Worker. Your placement with Somerset Council will give you hands-on experience of real-life social work.

Our great Social Workers build relationships with families facing difficult times, have lots of patience and are good listeners. You'll need good observational skills, analytical thinking and sound judgement to make the right decisions to protect children.

Social work regularly tests emotional resilience, stamina, maturity and resolve - all of which you'll need to succeed. Social work can be life changing for those you support. 

Recruitment for our programme is open now, with assessments scheduled for June and July 2023, with a January 2024 study start date. The programme runs once every two years, dependent on Government funding so if you are interested, don't miss out – apply now!

Councillor Tessa Munt, Executive Lead for Children and Families at Somerset County Council said: "Social workers have such a valuable role. Supporting people when they need it most is extremely rewarding. If you think you have what it takes to 'step up', please apply - and start changing the lives of people in Somerset for the better."

To apply, you'll have a minimum Level 6 degree – a Graduate Certificate or a BA or BSc Honours at 2:2 or above in any subject, and GCSEs in English or English Language and Mathematics at grade C or above (or an approved equivalent). We encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates and aim to have a workforce that represents the society we serve. 

For more information and to sign up for the programme please visit: Home | Step Up to Social Work (pocketrecruiter.com)