Trainee Mental Health Social Worker

Join the mental health mission and choose a career that changes lives.

Get paid to train as a mental health social worker and support people with mental health needs in your community.

Our first round of recruitment is closing on Monday 4 December - we would recommend registering by then to avoid disappointment. 

With Think Ahead you could:

• Train in your area and make a difference for local people with mental health problems.
• Earn as you learn with dedicated support from experienced social workers and academic tutors.
• Gain a fully-funded postgraduate diploma and master's degree in just two years.

Do something that matters - apply to Think Ahead today.

The Think Ahead programme

We offer a paid two-year mental health social work training programme, partnering with NHS Trusts and Local Authorities across England. Each year we train up to 160 mental health social workers, bringing passionate people into the sector and strengthening mental health services. 

Joining a unit of fellow trainees, you’ll learn on the job, working alongside mental health professionals and learning from senior social workers.  

By training with Think Ahead, you’ll be joining the mental health mission and beginning a secure career in the social work sector. 98% of our trainees are in full-time work at least six months after completion of the programme. 

Who are we looking for? 

We want people who can make a real difference and help people living with mental illness. You don’t need any prior experience of social work, but you will need to:  

• Hold or be predicted to hold a 2:2 in a subject other than social work. 

• Hold at least a grade C/4 at GCSE level in Maths, and in English or English Language (not English Literature), or an equivalent level 2 qualification.  

• Have the right to remain and work in the UK (including access to public funds) for the entire duration of the programme. 

We encourage applicants from underrepresented groups within the mental health and social work sector, including people from Black, Asian and ethnically diverse communities, people with disabilities, and those who identify as being part of the LGBT+ community. We also encourage men to apply, as they are also currently underrepresented in the sector.

For full details you can take the eligibility checker on our website.

How to apply 

Registrations for 2024 are open now! Our first round of recruitment is closing on Monday 4 December - we would recommend registering by then to avoid disappointment. 

The second round of recruitment will open in January but with limited locations available.