Decision details

The Step Up to Social Work programme is a fully funded Department of Education scheme aimed at bringing good quality graduates into the social work profession. Bracknell is the lead partner for a Berkshire partnership which includes Reading (now Brighter Futures for Children), Slough Children First and West Berkshire Council. The partnership has been approved by the DfE to deliver a programme for another cohort (cohort 7) starting in January 2022. The programme leads to a post graduate diploma in social work recognised by Social Work England. The academic content for the diploma in social work is provided and awarded by a HEI which is Buckinghamshire New University.

As the partnership is spread across the county, it is important that participants are not asked to travel too far to undertake the academic elements which form that part of the programme. There are also only a small number of universities have been approved by HCPC previously and now Social Work England to deliver the post graduate diploma qualification. Buckinghamshire New University (BNU) is situated so that all participants can travel to this HEI as well as being approved by Social Work England to deliver the programme. Furthermore, it has the capacity to take on this HEI provision.

Alternative options have been considered but due to geographical spread, small numbers of HEI’s being approved and HEI’s having the capacity to take on this academic provision and delivery of the diploma in social work, Buckinghamshire New University was the only HEI which met this three considerations.

Yes, conflicts of interest have been considered as part of this decision.