Trainee Social Worker

Approach Social Work (formerly known as the Frontline programme)

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 

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.

You don’t need experience in social work, just the right values, resilience and commitment to making a difference. If you are in your final year of studying for an undergraduate honours degree we’d love to hear from you. Alternatively, you may already have an existing undergraduate degree and be working in a related role such as a youth worker, support worker, teacher, learning support assistant, teaching assistant, care worker, key worker, or social work assistant.