DfE Longitudinal Evaluation of the Step Up to Social Work Programme

The aim of the longitudinal evaluation is to assess the effectiveness of Step Up to Social Work (SUSW) as a route into child and family social work, alongside other qualifying routes. The study aims to find out the destinations, current roles and responsibilities of this recently qualified group of practitioners (retention and progression), at three and five years after qualification; to gather their views on career plans, their likelihood of remaining in the profession, and any influences on their decisions; their views of the effectiveness of their qualifying programme in preparing them for child and family social work; to compare career choices and trajectories for those following different qualifying routes; and to assess possible reasons for leaving where graduates have left child and family social work.