Trainee Social Worker

Looking for a career with purpose and a clear path for development?

As a social worker, you ll work directly with children and families to make sure children are safe, supported and able to thrive. It s a career that offers stability, progression and the chance to make a lasting difference. On this programme, you ll be supported from day one and gain the skills, experience and master s degree to succeed, wherever your career takes you.

About the programme

Approach Social Work is a fully funded training programme that helps you step into children s social work with the training, tools and support to make a difference.

On the programme, you ll develop a deep understanding of child-focused practice and how to build relationships that create real change. You ll also explore anti-discriminatory, anti-oppressive and anti-racist approaches and earn a master s degree along the way.

What to expect

Year one:

• Begin study for your postgraduate diploma

• Work with children and families within a local authority, supported by experienced tutors and practice educators

• Receive a bursary of £18,000 or £20,000 (depending on location) to help with living and travel costs

Year two and three:

• Move into a paid role as a newly qualified social worker (up to £34,000, or more in some London boroughs)

• Keep working towards your master s degree

• Join the Frontline Fellowship, a national community offering career-long support and development

The role:

You ll learn how to build relationships, make difficult decisions and advocate for children s safety and wellbeing. That means:

• Visiting a child at home or school

• Supporting a parent through difficult circumstances

• Working with teachers, health professionals or police

• Writing reports and helping decide what s safest for a child

It s a role that takes empathy, resilience and strong judgement, rooted in anti-racist, anti-oppressive and anti-discriminatory practice.

Who we re looking for

You don t need experience in social work, just the right values, resilience and commitment to making a difference. We welcome applicants from all degree backgrounds and are especially keen to hear from those underrepresented in the sector, including men and people from racially diverse communities.

Eligibility requirements

• Have at least a 2.2 (predicted or obtained) in an undergraduate honours degree (or international equivalent)

• Have obtained GCSE English Language at Grade C/4 or above (or approved equivalent qualification)

• Possess the right to work and study in the UK (including access to public funds) for the duration of the programme (until September 2029)

• Be resident in England by the time the programme commences

• Not be a qualified social worker

Real support. Real skills. A career that matters.

Apply now

Delivered by children s charity Frontline. Formerly known as the Frontline programme.