This paper outlines a project commissioned by the Department of Health which focused on participation in the undergraduate and postgraduate social work degree. Drawing on consultation with service users and care organisations, this paper proposes a strategy to support the participation of service users and carers in social work education, focussing on how service user and carer organisations might take the lead in building capacity for involvement. This paper also identifies existing barriers to successful partnership and possible ways to dismantle those barriers and move forward.