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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

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Original poster

Step up to Social Work

8 replies

BlitzenandMikey · 09/03/2018 10:18

Has anyone completed the step up to social work programme or about to this year? How did you find it? What prior experience did you have? Are you now in employment?

I am considering applying, but am almost 47 now, so will be nearing 50 when I qualify. Has anyone else contemplated a career change later on in life?

OP posts:

Mishappening · 09/03/2018 10:22

I was a SW and made a career change out of it!!

Belle231 · 09/03/2018 10:26

I'm sure I've heard that the actual programme won't start until 2020 for the next cohort. Assuming you have an undergrad already as I think that's a requirement for the step up programme you could look into the MA social work that would also qualify you. A lot of universities are still taking applications for September 2018 start

Original poster

BlitzenandMikey · 09/03/2018 10:48

You are right Belle231, getting confused! I do have an under grad but from 20 years ago and P.G.C.E 17 years ago. Will check out the Uni courses now.

OP posts:

Belle231 · 09/03/2018 11:07

It shouldn't be an issue that it was a while ago, they take into account life experience etc. Too over just an undergrad.

A lot of them will say that applications are closed but it's worth ringing the admissions department as I know that a few are still taking applications for the next few months at least as I've had interviews and it was mentioned.

Depending on where you are in the country Chester university are opening admissions now for their January 2019 start date too

Original poster

BlitzenandMikey · 09/03/2018 11:30

Thanks for that Belle, very helpful.

Are you planning on going down path of social work too?

I have just had a look at Front line too and they are closed for the next 2018 cohort now.

OP posts:

Belle231 · 09/03/2018 12:01

No problem.

Yep I'm starting the masters in September, can't wait to get started although I am nervous too. I did look into frontline and also the think ahead programme but there was a compulsory residential at the start of them which would have been a huge struggle for me as I've got 2 young children so I didn't apply for either.

Original poster

BlitzenandMikey · 09/03/2018 12:04

How does the Masters work? Do you get to go on placement etc ? Which Uni are you studying with? May I ask about funding? ( sorry so many questions!)

OP posts:

Belle231 · 09/03/2018 12:26

It's a 2 year course and you do 2 placement (70 day one and a 100 day one). I'm going to Liverpool Hope.

There is an NHS bursary, each uni gets allocated so many, they all vary. If the uni has more students than funded places they usually allocate them based on performance during interview. Bursary covers up to 5k per year for tuition fees and then there is a maintenance amount on top plus extra bits that are means tested.

If you don't get the bursary you can apply for a post grad loan from student finance that is a maximum of 10600 this year. That gets paid back out of your salary once you start working and earn over a certain amount.

You can also apply for a career development loan capped at 10k. I think you start to pay thay back a month after your course ends and the government pay the interest on it whilst you're studying

I don't know whether I'll get the bursary yet. Really hoping that I do and also that I qualify for the means tested childcare support element of it but I'll just have to wait and see. Think I'll probably find out around June

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