North Tyneside Council set out to strengthen the local and regional social work workforce by developing a sustainable pipeline of skilled, resilient practitioners. Recognising that this required more than a training programme, the Council sought a collaborative partnership that could deliver education, support and real-world experience at scale.
Through the government’s Step Up to Social Work initiative, North Tyneside led the North East Regional Partnership to deliver a 14-month Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work. The programme aimed to bring 52 aspiring social workers into the profession through a fast-track route combining academic study with practical placements across diverse local authority teams.
Delivering a large-scale regional training program across multiple stakeholders
Coordinating Local Authorities, a Higher Education Institution (HEI) and a
Regional Steering Group
Maintaining consistent quality, governance and compliance
Supporting trainee wellbeing during an intensive program
Managing financial pressures caused by phased funding and payment
Growing demand for qualified social workers across the region
Need for a sustainable, long-term workforce solution
Requirement to align training with national standards (KSS and PCF)
Desire to create a program rooted in real-world practice
North Tyneside Council appointed a Higher Education Institution to co-design and deliver the programme in partnership with Local Authorities.
Together, the partners developed a curriculum aligned to national standards and local workforce needs. The 14-month programme blended online and face-to-face learning with two major placements, including a 100-day statutory children’s placement.
Key elements of the solution included:
Practice Educator training and guidance
Practice Assessment Panel (PAP) oversight of trainee portfolios
Regular Progress reviews with HEI tutors
Ongoing Curriculum Reviews to maintain compliance with Social Work England
Strong Governance through the Regional Partnership Steering Group
This partnership model increased internal capacity while ensuring compliance, efficiency and strong supplier engagement.
Strong employment outcomes:
Majority employed by their placement Local Authority
Others employed by partner authorities and beyond the region
Graduates returning as ambassadors to support recruitment and engagement
Program revalidated by Social Work England for Cohort 9 starting January 2026
Step Up to Social Work initiative Delivered
14 Month Post Graduate Diploma
52 Trainees Recruited
Regional Partnership Model
Revalidation by Social Work England
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