We have consultant social worker positions available in various locations across England. Register your interest now to be the first to know when new vacancies open.
Consultant social workers
What is a consultant social worker
Consultant social workers are qualified practice educators who support, manage and develop participants who are training to be social workers on Approach Social Work (formerly known as the Frontline programme).
You will have responsibility for a hub of typically five participants in your local authority. Your participants will learn through observing your practice and gradually taking on more responsibility for working with the families you support.
As a practice educator, you will assess them throughout their first year on the programme and recommend if they should qualify as social workers at the end of the year. You don’t need to have previously been a practice educator, because you will work towards achieving stage two of the Practice Educator Professional Standards during your training.
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What you’ll get
If you want to remain in practice while gaining experience in management and teaching, the consultant social worker role is the perfect opportunity for you.
Develop your practice
With a protected caseload and access to a high-quality systemic training programme, the consultant social worker roles will help you reflect on and develop your social work practice education skills.
Gain management experience
Develop your skills in leading a team and line management, while continuing to work directly with children and families.
Earn a practice educator qualification
After 12 months you will achieve a stage two Practice Educator Professional Standards qualification.
Connect with your peers
Join the Frontline Fellowship, a national network of social workers trained by Frontline, and receive ongoing support and training throughout your career.
What we’re looking for
Excellent practitioners
We want social workers with a high level of practice skill, a strong ability to engage with children and families, and a proven track record in managing complex child protection and risk. Candidates must have experience of frontline child protection social work and confidence in their own practice.
You must have at least two years post-qualifying experience to apply.
Desire to develop new social workers
We are interested in candidates that demonstrate an enthusiasm for developing others by teaching and modelling great practice, and have the energy and warmth to support participants on the programme.
Interest in raising practice standards
We want individuals who understand good practice and want to see social work transformed to achieve the best possible outcomes for children.
Understanding of evidence-based practice models
Applicants do not need to have trained already in the models used by Frontline (systemic practice, motivational interviewing and parenting interventions). However, they should have a good understanding of evidence-based models, and must be able to demonstrate their ability to apply theory to practice.
Leadership potential
While you do not have to have previous management or supervisory experience, you will need to demonstrate the leadership qualities required to tackle the challenges of managing the participant hub.
Commitment to improvement of your own practice
You need to be committed to participating in training and working towards your Practice Educator qualification where required. Training on the consultant social worker programme can also help you to meet the continuous professional development requirements of your Social Work England registration.
Career journeys
Below you can find some examples of different career paths and explore where the consultant social worker role can fit into your career journey.
Samantha’s career journey
2015: Four years after qualifying as a social worker Samantha applied for the consultant social worker role.
2016 – 2018: Having completed the practice educator training programme Samantha worked as a consultant social worker for three years.
2019 – 2021: She then secured a role as a team manager, supporting a team of four social workers.
2022 – 2025: After three years as a team manager Samantha was promoted to service manager. In this role she supported project teams in embedding a new family safeguarding framework.
Today: Samantha is now a head of service for children in need.
Ahmed’s career journey
2018: Two years after qualifying as a social worker Ahmed applied for a deputy consultant social worker role in his local authority.
2019: Ahmed completed the practice education training programme and went onto support the Frontline hub and his consultant social worker for a year.
2020 – 2021: He was then promoted to consultant social worker and supported participants in his hub.
2022 – 2025: After two years as a consultant social worker Ahmed moved into a practice educator lead role in a new local authority. He was in this role for four years.
Today: Ahmed is currently a junior lecturer in social work at a university.
Deidre’s career journey
2021: Three years after qualifying as a social worker Deidre applied for the consultant social worker role in a new local authority.
2022 – 2023: She completed the practice education training programme and worked as a consultant social worker for two years.
2024 – 2025: Deidre was then promoted to assistant team manager in the assessment team. She was in this role for two years.
Today: Deidre is currently a team manager for a national children’s charity.
Tom’s career journey
2018: Two years after qualifying as a social worker Tom applied for the consultant social worker role in his local authority and was offered the deputy consultant social worker role.
2019 – 2020: He completed the practice education training programme and supported the Frontline hub and his consultant social worker for two years.
2021 – 2023: Tom then secured a consultant social worker role in another local authority and was in post for three years.
2024 – 2025: He went onto become a practice educator in this local authority for two years.
Today: Tom decided to relocate and secured a role as an independent reviewing officer / child protection chair for a new local authority, close to his new home.
Frontline Award for CSW of the Year
This award recognises a consultant social worker who has gone above and beyond in their role and who has excelled in their ability to teach, manage and develop participants on Approach Social Work.