Approach Social Work is a fully funded training programme that helps people from all professional backgrounds become children's social workers. You'll gain the training, hands-on experience and support to build the skills needed to help children and families thrive.
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.
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.
Approach Social Work is an intensive three-year programme that combines academic study with hands‑on practice. From the start, you'll be helping children and families to make a lasting, positive difference in their lives.
Year one:
Years two and three:
Continue your development through the Frontline Fellowship.
*Salary information is based on self-reported earnings from participants in 2024 and 2025.
Whether you have recently graduated or are looking for a change after years in your profession, we welcome applicants from any career background. No social work experience is needed.
We're looking for people with empathy, resilience, self-awareness and strong judgement, who are motivated to make a difference.
Many candidates find it useful to have experience from a people-focused role, including education, healthcare, care, youth work, customer service, retail, hospitality, the charity sector and emergency services. We also see many applications from youth workers, support workers, family support workers, teachers, learning support assistants, teaching assistants, counsellors, care workers, key workers, charity workers and social work assistants. However, we have welcomed participants onto the programme from as varied backgrounds as Irish dancing, the military and magic circle law firms.
We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, ages and ethnicities, especially groups who are underrepresented in children's social work, such as men.
We partner with a large number of high-quality local authority partners that host participants on Approach Social Work (formerly known as the Frontline programme). Through working in these areas, participants are able to support some of the most disadvantaged children in England.
Joining us on Approach in 2027, you could be working in one of the following areas:
Funded by UK Government. Delivered by Frontline.
Formerly known as the Frontline programme. Frontline is registered charity no.
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Remote
Frontline is a children’s charity working in England. Everything we do is driven by one ambition: to make life better for children at risk of harm.
North East
Children's social work offers more than purpose; it offers a rewarding career with opportunities to grow and progress.
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