Apply your mind to mental health – Think Ahead
Posted on: August 16, 2022
The Think Ahead programme is an innovative route into social work, for graduates and career-changers remarkable enough to make a real difference to people with mental health problems.
How does it work?
You will be paid to work in an expert team alongside clinical professionals, study for a master’s degree in social work and develop your leadership skills.
Where you will work
We work with NHS Trusts and Local Authorities across England, who act as host organisations for our participants. Your specific workplace is likely to change during the two-year programme, but it will always be within the geographical area covered by your host organisation.
When you apply, you can let us know where you would prefer to work. We do our very best to support these preferences but may need you to be flexible about where you live and work.
Social workers often support people over a large area and in more rural places you will need to travel by car. You are less likely to be given a place on the programme if you cannot drive because many of our host organisations cover rural locations.
When you apply, you will be able to let us know whether you are able to drive, and if not whether you are willing to commit to learning before you start the programme.
When you will work
The Think Ahead programme is full-time, Monday to Friday, for its entire duration. You will not usually have to work during evenings or weekends, but there are occasional lectures and events that you may want to take part in.
This is an intensive programme, and you may find that you use some evening and weekend time for your academic studies.
In Year One, you will have 25 days leave. In Year Two your annual leave allowance will be set by your host organisation, as your employer.
How you will be paid
You will receive a tax-free training bursary for the Summer Institute and Year One. This will be around £17,200 (£19,100 with London weighting) paid monthly. Year One is a 14-month period, so for each full month you will receive around £1,230 (£1,360 with London weighting).
In Year Two, you will be employed as a newly qualified social worker and receive a taxable salary. Your exact salary will depend on the NHS Trust or Local Authority employing you, typically ranging from around £21,000 – £33,000, location dependent.
There are no programme fees, and all qualifications are fully funded.
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