Welcome to the Approach Social Work bulletin
Please read each bulletin carefully. They will often include actions you need to take. You will receive a new bulletin every fortnight. This webpage contains an archive of all emails so far.
Thursday 5 February
Welcome to the 2026 cohort
Congratulations on securing your place on Approach Social Work.
Whether you recently passed your assessment centre or deferred from last year, we are pleased to welcome you to the 2026 cohort.
Approach Social Work is delivered by Frontline, a children’s charity working to make life better for children at risk of harm. We do this by improving the services that support them, including developing confident, skilled social workers who can make sound decisions and build strong relationships with children.
Demand for children’s social workers continues to grow, and the role is both challenging and vital. By joining the programme, you are preparing for a career where your work will make a meaningful difference to children’s lives.
Your applicant portal
The portal will be your central source of information throughout the programme and will include:
- guidance documents and policies
- key programme information
- previous bulletins
We will let you know through future bulletins when new content is added. Please keep the portal link confidential. It is for the 2026 cohort only.
Frontline Awards 2026: nominations open
Now in its fourth year, the awards recognise excellent practice, leadership and innovation in children’s services, as well as the achievements of young people who have been supported by a social worker.
You can submit a nomination for someone whose work or experience you think deserves recognition.
Award categories:
- The Frontline Award for Leadership
- The Frontline Award for Practice
- The Frontline Award for Innovation
- The Frontline Award for Team of the Year
- The Frontline Award for Multi-Agency Partnership of the Year (new for 2026)
- The Frontline Award for Young People
Submitting a nomination is free, and the ceremony is free for winners to attend. Nominations close on Friday 27 February 2026.
If you have any questions, please email events@thefrontline.org.uk
Recommended for you
In each bulletin, we will share optional resources for those who want to explore social work further before the programme begins.
- Listen: The Relational Social Work podcast. Featuring Frontline’s Chief Social Worker, Lisa Hackett, discussing the Families First reforms and multi-agency child protection teams.
- Watch: The Children Act. A film following a high court judge presiding over a complex case involving a child with leukaemia.
- Read: That Reminds Me. A novel exploring identity, mental health and trauma through the experiences of a young person in foster care.
We look forward to supporting you as you prepare to start the programme.