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How to apply

Check your eligibility

Register your details

Our second round of recruitment is now open in limited locations.

The first stage of our application process requires you to complete a short registration form.

We will ask you for some contact information, check your eligibility, find out where you are interested in working, and gather some equal opportunities data.

Once you have registered, you will be sent an email inviting you to log in to our applicant portal where you can complete the rest of your application.

Take a situational judgement test

Once you have logged into the portal, your first step will be to complete a situational judgement test.

It is a multiple-choice test with situations you could face as a mental health social worker. You will have one week to complete the test, and your results will be emailed to you shortly after completion.

You will need to pass the test before moving on to the next stage of our application process.

Complete your application

If you pass your situational judgement test, you will then need to complete your written and video application, demonstrating:

  • Your commitment to Think Ahead’s goals and values.
  • That you possess the attributes necessary to become an excellent mental health social worker.

The first part is to submit your four written answers. Once complete, the second part is to record and submit your two video answers.

You will have one week to complete both parts, and you’ll find out within five weeks if you have been successful.

Attend an assessment day

This is the final stage of the selection process. During the online assessment day, you will take part in a number of activities associated with the day-to-day work of a mental health social worker.

These activities include interviews, group exercises, and a role play, which are assessed against our attributes by experienced professionals and people living with mental health problems and carers.

Our recruitment team will share further details and tips with you ahead of time and you will hear how you got on within one week.

Accept your placement

If you pass your assessment day, we will let you know if we have a suitable placement for you to start the programme.

We partner with NHS trusts and local authorities across England to run our training placements. Based on your circumstances, and if there are places still available, we will work with you to place you with one of our training partners for the programme.

We do our best to match people to their preferred locations but receive a high number of applications, particularly in cities and towns. If we are unable to find you a suitable placement, you will have the option to defer your place to the following year.

You can find out more in our guide on how we find a placement that is right for you.

Complete your suitability checks

If you accept your placement, there will be a number of suitability checks you will need to complete before starting the programme, including:

  • Proof of your right to work in the UK.
  • Proof of your academic certificates.
  • An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate, with subscription.
  • Completion of a Declaration of Suitability for Social Work.
  • Professional references.
  • An Occupational Health Assessment.

Accept your offer

Once you have completed your suitability checks, we will send you a full offer to start the programme.

After accepting this you will be sent a contract to sign, and some preparatory reading.

Guidance on the selection process

Our selection process is designed to test your potential to become an excellent social worker in mental health –  you don’t have to be the finished product when you apply.

There are a few things that you can do to improve your chances of success:

Research the job

Think about how you will demonstrate the attributes

  • In your application and at the assessment day, you will need to provide examples — from your work, academic, or personal life — showing that you have the attributes we are looking for. Try to use a variety of different examples, to show the depth of your experience.
  • We’re interested in things you have done yourself (and if you were part of a team, the personal contribution you made). You should be able to use “I” rather than “we” when describing what was done and achieved.

Take care over the application

  • Complete the application carefully, and take your time.
  • Check your writing for spelling and grammar.
  • Make sure you answer the question that you are being asked. Do not just copy and paste your answer from another application.

Stay relaxed!

We want to see you in your best light, so we’ll do our best to put you at your ease.