Why social work?
Each year in England alone, over 700,000 children rely on the support of social workers. These children, and their families, face some of the worst life chances. We believe it’s time for change.
Children, young people and their families need support when they are going through difficult times. You’ll work directly with the most disadvantaged in society and empower them to bring about positive change in their lives.
During your training, you’ll develop a range of skills, including relationship-building, conflict resolution and leadership. You will receive high quality supervision and training from experienced social workers, academics and professional coaches.
For the most disadvantaged, receiving support from a social worker can make a significant difference to the direction their lives take. Join us on the Frontline programme and that difference could be you.
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?
BE THE DIFFERENCE
We all rely on others for help and support sometimes. Together we can achieve social change for children who don’t have a safe or stable home.
EARN AS YOU LEARN
You will earn while you study to become a qualified social worker and achieve a fully funded master’s degree. In year 1 you will receive a tax and NI exempt bursary of £18,000 or £20,000 in London. This is equivalent to a salary of £21,000 or £24,000.
As a newly qualified social worker in year 2, you will earn a salary between £25k and £34k depending on local authority and location.
HIGH LEVELS OF SUPPORT
In the first year of the programme, you’ll work on real life cases in small groups, led by an experienced social worker. Working as a team, you will help each other to develop and succeed, with additional support from your practice tutor.
During your second year, you’ll receive continued support from your practice tutor and local authority, along with professional coaching to develop your leadership skills.
DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS
You will benefit from high quality supervision and training from experienced social workers, academics and professional coaches. In your two year placement in a local authority children’s services you will hone and develop these skills on the job.
WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH A VARIETY OF AGENCIES
You’ll work with and advise a wide range of professionals in health, education, the criminal justice system and beyond to bring about positive change in the lives of disadvantaged children and families.
LEAD CHANGE IN SOCIETY
After you complete the Frontline programme you will become part of the Fellowship, a community of individuals who are applying themselves to address social disadvantage.
Being part of the Fellowship offers the chance to connect, learn and collaboratively create positive change for children and families with over a thousand fellows across the country.
Participants’ stories
For those of us who have never experienced social work first hand, it can be difficult to imagine what a social worker does. Read our participants’ stories to find out more about the role and learn about the difference you could make on the Frontline programme.
Sally and Jacob
Two Frontline programme participants, Sally and Jacob, worked hard alongside parents-to-be, Lacey and Lee, to ensure that baby Logan would be able to remain safely in the parents’ care once born, but with intensive support from professionals.
Emma
Durham is a fantastic place to live and work. I’ve got a first-hand understanding of how people have grown up and the different challenges of being northern.
Jess
I always thought that I would become a teacher, but as time went by I realised that teaching wasn’t pastoral enough for me.
Rahim
You never know what aspect of yourself families will respond to. Diversity gives us the opportunity to learn more about people and to share this understanding with our colleagues.
Application process
IS SOCIAL WORK THE RIGHT CAREER FOR YOU?
Take our self-selection quiz to learn about the role and find out if the Frontline programme is the right fit for you.
SELECTION PROCESS
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
In order to apply for the programme you will need to meet our eligibility requirements.
OUR POLICIES
Take a look at our programme policies to learn more about how the programme works.
FAQ
Got a question about the Frontline programme?
Career events
We are running a variety of exciting events to help you explore social work and the charity sector, and learn how you can develop skills to have a impactful social change career.
Blogs
