FRONTLINE PROGRAMME
Our two-year Leadership Development programme offers outstanding graduates and career changers an exciting new route into one of Britain’s toughest and most rewarding professions. We prioritise hands-on experience through practice-based learning and you will benefit from intensive practical and academic training, tailored to your needs, as one of a new generation of children’s social workers.
Why apply to Frontline
There’s no career like social work, and no other programme like Frontline. If you join us, you’ll make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable children and their families.
You’ll work directly with children, families, schools, courts and the police, to empower families to achieve positive change. You’ll see a real difference in yourself too, as you develop a whole range of invaluable and transferable skills including leadership, relationship-building and conflict resolution.
Changing lives isn’t easy. But if you’re one of the few who dare to change; who want one of Britain’s most challenging jobs, then Frontline is for you.
OPPORTUNITIES
Alongside our leadership development programme there are a range of ways for you to get involved with Frontline.
UNDERGRADUATES
We offer university students a number of exciting ways to engage with Frontline and support our mission to transform the lives of vulnerable children and families.
All our undergraduate programmes will provide you with an insight into Frontline, a greater understanding of our mission and the social work sector and an opportunity to develop valuable employability skills whilst you’re still at university. These opportunities vary from one day experiences to part-time, paid positions throughout your university academic year.
Undergraduate Tasters – a one-day insight into a career in child protection social work. You’ll learn more about our programme and a career in social work, and take part in valuable skills sessions. Open to anyone currently studying at university.
Find out more about our undergraduate tasters.
Student Internships – a three-week internship during summer to learn more about the work we do. You’ll work in one of our teams across the charity where you’ll contribute to our life changing work and gain valuable work experience. Open to penultimate year students.
Find out more about joining us as a student intern.
Brand Manager roles – help us raise awareness of Frontline on campus, through these part-time paid roles with flexible hours. You’ll be our person on the ground, supporting us with events and promoting opportunities, whilst developing key skills for your future.
FINAL YEAR STUDENTS
If you’re in your final year of study, now is the time to start thinking about life after university.
Our opportunities for final year students provide you with a great chance to kick-start your career. You can apply for our two-year Leadership Development programme if you’re interested in a career in children protection social work. Alternatively, our graduate internship programme offers you the chance to work directly with us as we seek to transform the lives of vulnerable children and families and impact change in broader society.
Leadership Development programme – our two-year programme offering an exciting route into a challenging career in social work. You’ll benefit from intensive practical and academic training as you join one of Britain’s toughest and most rewarding professions.
Find out more about how to gain experience here and improve your chances of securing a place on the programme. If successful in your application, you will be joining a prestigious graduate programme which has been a Times Top 50 employer for the past three years.
If you would like to meet one of the team to hear more about the programme and the application process, click here to see if there are any upcoming events on a campus near you.
Find out more about the programme.
Graduate Internship – a 6-month internship in our Recruitment team, where you’ll join us during a key period in the recruitment season from September – March. This is a great opportunity to kick-start your career in a fast-paced, third sector organisation where you’ll be contributing directly towards achieving our mission.
GRADUATES AND CAREER CHANGERS
We don’t just recruit individuals straight out of university. If you’ve already graduated and are looking to take the next step then come along to one of our events to find out more about developing your career further.
Since 2014 we have recruited exceptional graduates from over 90 universities across the UK into social work. Approximately 40% of the last three cohorts graduated three or more years prior to starting the programme. They have been able to use the skills and experiences from previous roles to help vulnerable children and families lead change in society.
Hear from a Frontline participant who switched careers to become a social worker.
Career Changer Information Evenings – a network evening to give career changers and recent graduates the opportunity to gain an insight into the Frontline programme and a career in social work. Hear from senior members of Frontline, social work specialists and the Recruitment team.
Find out more about our information evenings.
Join us at an information evening.
Drop ins – book a drop-in session to meet with a member of the Recruitment team and get advice and support with your application to the programme.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications to join the Frontline programme as part of the 2020 Cohort will open in September 2019.
SELECTION PROCESS
We are committed to selecting people who have the potential to complete our intensive two-year programme and be successful in social work and beyond.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
In order to apply for the programme you will need to meet our eligibility requirements.
ADVICE AND GUIDANCE
We want you to be able to perform your best throughout the application process. Read through our detailed advice and guidance before you start your application.
Diversity & inclusion
Our goal is that cohorts on the programme represent the diverse communities that we serve.
We run insight days as part of a positive action programme to tackle diversity and under-representation within the Frontline programme.
INSIGHT DAYS
At these events, underrepresented groups can find out more about pursuing a career in social work and making a difference to the lives of vulnerable children and families.
FAQs
Got a question about the Frontline programme?
CASE STUDIES
Get an insight into the programme by reading stories from Frontline participants.
Jordan
I definitely feel like I’m part of a positive movement to change social work – and I’m thankful to be part of it.
Margaret
I don’t know any other career where you can work in such a collaborative way with a child and their family.
Laura
What I enjoy most is that social work is just so interesting. Families are unique and fascinating and no two will ever be the same.
Andy
Everyone has a different story, but we all share a passion for helping vulnerable children and families.
Naomi
I really enjoy getting to know families and building useful relationships with them.
Phil
I work with children within the criminal justice system and their families to reduce reoffending and manage their risk to themselves and others.
Kate
A unit is essentially a small, tight-knit team, with an experienced leader.
Luke
The programme is incredibly diverse and that’s one of the great things about Frontline and being a social worker.
Esther
I really enjoy having the opportunity to really help people. It’s the feedback from families and young people that keeps me going.
Asha
Doing the Frontline programme has given me a passion I didn’t know I had and has opened up a world of opportunities.
Brendan
This programme has taught me much about myself and has allowed me to develop my own style of being a social worker, bringing in my own personality.
Tooba
What I enjoy most about being a social worker – is the growth that I see and experience. I see growth in individuals and in families and I see growth in myself.
Paul
Prior to starting Frontline, I enjoyed a stimulating career as a teacher for 35 years. Frontline presented me with the opportunity to work with these young people at the other end of the school day, in their home and family.
Hannah
Sometimes social work is about hard-fought but small successes, which although small can be really rewarding when they represent a shift in a family’s thinking or behaviour.
The highlights for me have been seeing the participants develop in their thinking, skills, and confidence within such a short space of time
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
We’re looking for your potential to become an outstanding children’s social worker, and will be exploring the evidence of your ability through our competencies.
COMMITMENT TO
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Motivation
Self-awareness
Resilience
WORKING WITH PEOPLE
Effective communication
Empathy and relationships
LEADING WITH SOUND JUDGEMENT
Analysis and adaptability
Leadership
What’s in it for you
MAKE A DIFFERENCE | DEVELOP AS A LEADER | RECEIVE TRAINING
HIGH LEVELS OF SUPPORT
In Year 1, you’ll work on cases in a unit with three of your peers, led by your consultant social worker.
Throughout the programme, you’ll receive support from experienced social workers, a qualified coach and the Frontline team.
FRONTLINE FELLOWSHIP
On completion of the Frontline programme, you’ll join the Frontline Fellowship, a movement of leaders working in and outside social work to address social disadvantage.
Access professional development opportunities, attend conferences and leadership seminars, and maintain contact with other Frontline fellows.
TRANSFORM THE LIVES OF VULNERABLE CHILDREN
Following the five-week Summer Institute, you’ll work directly with children and families within your local authority.
QUALIFY AS A PROFESSIONAL
After your first year, you’ll register with the Health and Care Professions Council and become a qualified social worker.
In the second year, you’ll study towards a compulsory master’s qualification in children’s social work
EARN AS YOU LEARN
YEAR 1 – Tuition fees and Summer Institute accommodation are paid by Frontline. You will also receive a tax- and National Insurance-exempt bursary.
Inner London: Bursary of £19,591
Outer London: Bursary of £18,544
Other regions: Bursary of £16,756
YEAR 2 – Earn a newly qualified social worker salary; between £25 – 35k depending on local authority and location.
Assessment Centre
ASSESSMENT CENTRES
The Assessment Centre is a key part of the selection process.
Assessment Centre Location
Unit 2
Bridge Wharf
156 Caledonian Road
London
N1 9UU