Trainee Social Worker

Prospects; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 20,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bursary £18k-£20k

Guaranteed QSW role

Frontline Fellowship

Job summary

Approach Social Work is offering a funded training pathway for aspiring children's social workers in England. You begin with a postgraduate diploma while attached to a local authority, supported by experienced professionals.

Year one provides a tax-free bursary of £18,000–£20,000; year two salaries range to £39,000 with potential up to £44,000 in year three, as you complete your master's degree and transition to a newly qualified social worker role.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in any field except social work.
• GCSE English Language at Grade C/4 or above.

Responsibilities

• Train within a local authority social work team and gain hands-on experience.
• Complete your master's degree while working.
• Earn a tax-free bursary in year one and progress into paid roles in years two and three.

Skills

Empathy

Resilience

Self-awareness

Judgement

Education

Undergraduate degree (any, not in social work)

GCSE English Language Grade C/4+

Job description

The future of children's social work will be shaped by the people like you. It's a time of real change in children's social work and the profession needs people who are curious, creative and committed to improving outcomes for children. Join through Approach Social Work to build the knowledge and skills to help shape the future of children's services. You don't need any prior social work knowledge or experience to join us. We're looking for people who are motivated to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children at risk of harm and ready to commit to three years of learning, working and growing. Is social work right for you? Could children's social work be the right career for you? Take our short quiz to find out

Why Approach Social Work?

• Work directly with children and families while you train, putting your learning into practice straight away.
• £18,000-£20,000 tax-free bursary in year one to help with living and travel costs while you train.
• Guaranteed newly qualified social worker role in a local authority when you successfully complete year one.
• Earn £30,000-£39,000 in year two, with salaries up to £44,000 in year three.*
• Join the Frontline Fellowship, a national community offering ongoing support, networking and professional development.

The role of a children's social worker

You'll work directly with children and families to make sure children are safe, supported and able to thrive. No two days are the same. Your work might involve visiting a child at home or school, working with teachers or health professionals, or supporting a parent through difficult circumstances. You'll draw on evidence, weigh up risks, influence decisions and advocate for children, all while showing empathy, resilience and self-awareness. There's never been a more exciting time to join the profession. The government is leading nationwide reforms in children's social work, which aim to strengthen support for families, increase collaboration between services and improve outcomes for children. As a newly qualified social worker, you'll not only be supporting children and families, you'll also help shape the future of social work practice.

How the programme works

Year one

• Begin study for your postgraduate diploma in social work
• Learn within a local authority social work team, supported by experienced social workers, a tutor and a practice educator
• Work directly with children and families while you train, putting your learning into practice straight away
• Receive a tax-free bursary of £18,000 or £20,000 (depending on location) to help with living and travel costs

Years two and three

• Move into a guaranteed paid role as a newly qualified children's social worker
• Continue to receive training and support
• Complete your master's degree while you work
• Earn £30,000-£39,000 in year two, with salaries up to £44,000 in year three*

After the programme

• Continue your development through the Frontline Fellowship
• *Salary information is based on self-reported earnings from participants in 2024 and 2025. Funded by UK Government. Delivered by Frontline.

Make your work something you're proud of.

• We welcome graduates with any undergraduate degree, except social work. Whether you're in your final year of university or you've already graduated, you don't need any previous relevant experience to apply. What's most important is that you're motivated to make a difference and you can demonstrate empathy, resilience, self-awareness and strong judgement.
• Many applicants have experience in a paid or voluntary role with children or young people as mentor, youth worker, support worker, learning support assistant, teaching assistant, counsellor or care worker, but this is not essential. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, ages and ethnicities, especially groups who are underrepresented in children's social work, such as men.
• Have or be predicted to achieve at least a 2.2 in an undergraduate honours degree (or international equivalent)
• Have obtained GCSE English Language at Grade C/4 or above (or approved equivalent qualification)
• Have the right to work and study in the UK (including access to public funds) for the duration of the programme (until September 2030)
• Be resident in England by the time the programme commences
• Not be a qualified social worker