Trainee Social Worker

www.jdiez.com; Whitstable; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

A children's social work training program is seeking trainees for summer 2026. The fully funded program offers support and a master's degree while providing valuable experience working with children and families in challenging situations. Ideal candidates are undergraduates or graduates from various backgrounds, demonstrating empathy and commitment. Participants will receive a bursary to support living and travel costs, leading to a paid role as a qualified social worker after training.

Benefits

Bursary of £18,000 or £20,000

Master's degree opportunity

Career-long support through Frontline Fellowship

Qualifications

• No prior experience in social work is required.
• Applicants from any degree background are welcome.
• Looking for values and commitment to making a difference.

Responsibilities

• Visit children at home or school.
• Support parents through difficult circumstances.
• Work with teachers, health professionals, or police.

Skills

Empathy

Resilience

Strong judgement

Education

Undergraduate degree (2.2 or above)

GCSE English Language Grade C/4 or above

Job description

Overview

Trainee Social Worker -Approach Social Work (formerly known as the Frontline programme)

Looking for a career in childrens social work with purpose and a clear path for development? Applications to Approach Social Work have re-opened for a limited number of locations. This is the final opportunity to start the programme in summer 2026.

As a children and families social worker, you’ll work directly with children to make sure they are safe, supported and able to thrive. Social work is a career that offers stability, progression and the chance to make a lasting difference.

On this fully funded social work training programme, you’ll be supported from day one and gain the skills, experience and masters degree to succeed, wherever your career takes you.

The Programme

About The Programme

Approach Social Work is a fully funded training programme that helps you step into childrens 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 masters degree along the way.

Year One

What to expect

• 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 masters 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 challenging and rewarding public sector career, rooted in empathy, resilience and strong judgement.

Who We’re Looking For

You may have studied a humanities, social sciences, education, law or healthcare degree, but we welcome applicants from all degree backgrounds. We particularly encourage people underrepresented in the sector, including men and those from racialised minority backgrounds.

You don’t need experience in social work. We are looking for the right values, resilience and commitment to making a difference. This role is open to graduates in their final year, or you may already have an existing undergraduate degree and be working in a related role such as a youth worker, support worker, family support worker, teacher, learning support assistant, teaching assistant, counsellor, care worker, key worker, charity worker or social work assistant.

Eligibility Requirements

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

Places are only available in select locations and will close as they reach capacity. If you are eligible and ready to apply, this is your last chance to join the 2026 cohort.

Real support. Real skills. A career that matters. Apply now.

Delivered by childrens charity Frontline – formerly known as the Frontline programme.