The University Centre Grimsby has secured accreditation to launch a new degree program in social work, significantly expanding educational opportunities for aspiring social workers in the region. This accreditation, granted by Social Work England, enables the university to offer a full-time BA (Hons) Social Work degree and a BA (Hons) Social Work Degree Apprenticeship starting in September 2026.
This initiative follows a comprehensive assessment conducted by Social Work England in August, which sets the professional standards that social workers in England must meet. The new programs aim to address the gap in local education access, allowing more residents to pursue careers in social work.
Andy Cowdroy, the social work lead at the University Centre Grimsby, emphasized the program’s community focus. He stated, “The aim of setting up our social work programmes is to work collaboratively with local partners and stakeholders to deliver and maintain the social work workforce. There are so many people out there who would make amazing social workers but are unable to access education. This will no longer be the case; we can now provide local social work education for local people.”
Local civic leaders have expressed their enthusiasm for this development. Ann-Marie Matson, director of children’s services at North East Lincolnshire Council, noted the importance of the collaboration between the council and the university. She remarked, “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the University Centre Grimsby, which has led to a social work degree course being created and will strengthen the local social work workforce. This collaboration is a real investment in our borough’s future—giving local people the opportunity to train, qualify, and build rewarding careers in social work right here in our community.”
The new degree programs are validated by TEC Partnership, the degree-awarding body. The BA (Hons) Social Work Degree Apprenticeship has been developed with financial support from the Office for Students, marking a significant investment in the educational landscape of Grimsby.
John Allen, principal social worker for Adults Social Care, commented on the local impact of the initiative. He said, “Having social work programmes delivered locally at the University Centre in Grimsby is a great step forward for our community. It means aspiring social workers can train close to home, strengthening the social care workforce and ensuring we reflect the needs of North East Lincolnshire.”
This new educational offering represents an exciting advancement for both the University Centre Grimsby and the local community. By training skilled practitioners within the region, the university aims to enhance social care services and create a lasting positive impact on the lives of children, young people, and adults across North East Lincolnshire.
