Trainee Social Worker
| Posting date: | 03 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £18,000 to £34,000 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 05 March 2026 |
| Location: | SP11 6GB |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Wiltshire Council |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | 6317 |
Summary
Salary: £18,000 - £34,000 Per annum
Hours of work: Full time
Contract type: Fixed term (3 years)
A bit about us:
At Frontline – a charity working in England – everything we do aims to make life better for children at risk of harm.
Each year, our nation’s social workers support hundreds of thousands of children who do not have a safe and stable home. They make a real difference to their lives and to those of their families. Our mission is to create social change for children and families, by developing excellent social work practice, leadership and innovation.
All about the role:
Approach Social Work (formerly known as the Frontline programme)
Looking for a career in children’s 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 master’s degree to succeed, wherever your career takes you.
About the programme
Approach Social Work is a fully funded social work training programme that helps you become a children’s social worker through hands-on experience, academic study and expert support.
On the programme, you’ll develop a deep understanding of child-focused social work practice and how to build relationships that create real change. You’ll explore anti-discriminatory, anti-oppressive and anti-racist approaches, while working towards a postgraduate diploma and master’s degree in social work.
What to expect
Year one:
Begin study for your postgraduate diploma in social work
Learn alongside children and families within a local authority social work team, supported by experienced tutors and practice educators
Receive a tax-free 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 children’s social worker (up to £34,000, or more in some London boroughs)
Keep working towards your social work master’s degree
Join the Frontline Fellowship, a national community offering career-long support and development
The role:
As a children’s social worker, 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 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
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.
Delivered by children’s charity Frontline. Formerly known as the Frontline programme.
Hours of work: Full time
Contract type: Fixed term (3 years)
A bit about us:
At Frontline – a charity working in England – everything we do aims to make life better for children at risk of harm.
Each year, our nation’s social workers support hundreds of thousands of children who do not have a safe and stable home. They make a real difference to their lives and to those of their families. Our mission is to create social change for children and families, by developing excellent social work practice, leadership and innovation.
All about the role:
Approach Social Work (formerly known as the Frontline programme)
Looking for a career in children’s 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 master’s degree to succeed, wherever your career takes you.
About the programme
Approach Social Work is a fully funded social work training programme that helps you become a children’s social worker through hands-on experience, academic study and expert support.
On the programme, you’ll develop a deep understanding of child-focused social work practice and how to build relationships that create real change. You’ll explore anti-discriminatory, anti-oppressive and anti-racist approaches, while working towards a postgraduate diploma and master’s degree in social work.
What to expect
Year one:
Begin study for your postgraduate diploma in social work
Learn alongside children and families within a local authority social work team, supported by experienced tutors and practice educators
Receive a tax-free 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 children’s social worker (up to £34,000, or more in some London boroughs)
Keep working towards your social work master’s degree
Join the Frontline Fellowship, a national community offering career-long support and development
The role:
As a children’s social worker, 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 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
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.
Delivered by children’s charity Frontline. Formerly known as the Frontline programme.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.