‘Step Up’ to social work and make a difference to your community
We’re seeking passionate and motivated graduates to join the Step Up to Social Work programme and make a difference to communities in Brighton & Hove.
Social work is a challenging yet rewarding career that gives you the opportunity to change the lives of vulnerable children, young people and families across the city.
Training programme
The fast-track, 14-month Step Up to Social Work training programme will start in January 2026.
If you successfully complete the programme, you will achieve a Postgraduate Diploma (Level 7) in Social Work. You will also be guaranteed an interview for a Social Work post at either Brighton & Hove City Council or East Sussex County Council.
All course fees are fully funded by the Department for Education, and trainees will receive a bursary of £21,995 paid in 15 monthly instalments while training at the University of Sussex.
Open evening
To find out more, join our online open evening event on Wednesday 12 February from 5pm to 6.30pm.
Previous Step Up trainees will share their experiences of the programme and working in children’s services. You’ll also be able to ask our Principal Social Workers and key academic staff any questions.
To book a place at the open evening event, email sw.admissions@sussex.ac.uk.
How to apply
Recruitment will be open from Monday 17 February until Tuesday 25 March.
To apply to the Step up to Social Work programme, go to the Department for Education's recruitment website.
Visit the Department for Education's Step Up to Social Work page for more information on eligibility.
We invite applications from all sections of the community, but particularly welcome applications from candidates who identify as Black and global majority, disabled, trans or male as they are under-represented in our workforce.
Life-changing work
Councillor Emma Daniel, Cabinet member for Children, Families and Youth Services, said: “Social work is an exciting, challenging and rewarding career that regularly puts your resilience, stamina and resolve to the test.
“Social workers make an enormous difference to the children, young people and families they support, but we need more passionate and talented candidates to join our team to continue this life-changing work.
“In 2026, the Step Up to Social Work programme will enable 700 individuals to enter the profession in local authorities across England.
“If you think social work could be a good fit for you, join us at our open evening on Wednesday 12 February to learn more about this fantastic opportunity.”
Long-term career
Isabelle Trowler, Chief Social Worker for Children and Families in England, said: “It is excellent to see the quality of the hundreds of graduates who qualify as social workers through the Step Up programme, and encouraged to see them start out on a long-term career in social work.
“Our profession is highly challenging, but highly rewarding, and Step Up is developing a highly skilled workforce ready to make a genuine positive impact on people’s lives.”
