Kingston University students land local authority jobs after graduating from fast-track social work programme

A recently-launched Kingston University postgraduate course which helps those without a social work degree become a highly qualified social worker in just 14 months has already led to several students securing employment with local authorities.

The Step Up to Social Work programme, which was launched at Kingston University in January 2022 and partners with Achieving for Children, Sutton Council, Croydon Council, Merton Council, Surrey County Council and Wandsworth Council, gives students who have completed a non-social work undergraduate degree the opportunity to combine theory and skills taught in class with a 170-day placement spread across the fast-track course.

After completing the course, the students have a chance to continue their work and get permanent positions at their placement organisations with interviews offered on completion of placement.

The first two cohorts of the programme have now graduated and become Kingston alumni, with a number of them already securing jobs at the University's partner local authorities as newly-qualified social workers, while the latest cohort finish the course in the Spring.

One of the graduates from the most recent cohort to gain employment is Peggy Orlu who has got a role at Achieving for Children in Kingston. She left her previous job to do the course and said she has no regrets, with the programme preparing her for the working world. "I have gained a good number of transferable skills that will place me in a better career position in the future and I have already taken some of these into my new job."

Peggy had to deal with a few health challenges during the course but said the support she received from her lecturers helped her through. "I was highly supported by my tutors and their words of encouragement gave me the drive I needed at a time when I felt like giving it up. They developed plans of support so I could complete the programme and I'm so grateful for their guidance," she said.

She also encouraged those thinking of getting into a career in social work to join the programme. "All the tutors are approachable and supportive and always willing to listen and guide you through your studies. The learning environment is very diverse and friendly and there is a fantastic library and online resources to support your learning – I'm so proud I did this course and would urge anyone interested to do it."

One of the aims of the programme is to bring and incite diversity within the profession by encouraging applications from under-represented groups in the field, including men and candidates from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities.

"We are making sure that our course is open to everyone and that it is diverse and represents our society as best as it can," says Sue Lansley, Senior Lecturer in Social Work and Social Care at Kingston University.

Step Up to Social Work is a Department for Education (DfE) initiative, which also provides tax-free bursaries of £21,955 for the duration of the programme as well as payment of course fees for successful applicants. Undergraduates in the final year of their course can apply if they have up to six months' experience of working or volunteering in the social care field.

The current application deadline for Social Work (Step Up) PgDip beginning in January 2026 is closing at midday on 25 March 2025.

• Find out more about the Step Up to Social Work programme and how to apply.
• Find out more about studying social work at Kingston University.