Why social work?
Each year in England alone, over 700,000 children rely on the support of social workers. Great social work can change their lives.
As a social worker, you’ll support children, young people and their families when they are going through difficult times. You’ll work directly with the most vulnerable in society, alongside other professionals, 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, as well as resilience, that will make a difference.
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?
BE THE DIFFERENCE
We all rely on others for help and support sometimes. For the most vulnerable, receiving this support can make a significant difference to the direction their lives take. As a social worker on the Frontline programme, that difference could be you.
EARN AS YOU LEARN
You will earn while you study for a fully funded postgraduate diploma and 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.
QUALIFY AS A PROFESSIONAL
You will qualify as a social worker after your first year and register with the regulator Social Work England.
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 vulnerable children and families.
JOIN THE FELLOWSHIP
As part of the Fellowship, you will be connected to and supported by like-minded individuals across the country. Fellows come together to share their knowledge, hone their leadership styles, develop innovative projects for the benefit of vulnerable children and families and much more.
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.
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.
Josh
When I started the Frontline programme, I had no idea how varied the job of a field social worker was and how many different ‘hats’ social workers need to wear.
Anton
I’m proud of being a social worker and I talk about my job a lot. It’s a fascinating role and people are often surprised by what I do on a day to day basis.
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.
FURTHER READING
Take a look at our brochure and recruitment policy if you’re looking for a summary of everything you need to know.
FAQ
Got a question about the Frontline programme?