2024 trainees preparing for placement

As this year’s Summer Institute draws to a close, our 2024 trainees have passed the first programme milestone to becoming mental health social workers.

The five-week intensive learning experience has laid the groundwork for their placements at NHS trusts and local authorities, beginning later this month. Blending online and lecture-based learning, with workshops and practical role plays, the trainees have been introduced to the professional theories and skills needed for their new roles.

Inspirational speakers

We’ve had insightful talks from experts across mental health and social work, each of them bringing unique perspectives and advice.
Here are a just some of the words of wisdom shared:

• Our Chair, Professor Dame Carol Black, urged the new cohort to “Aim high, follow whatever it is you really want to do and don’t be afraid of failing”.
• Colum Conway, CEO Social Work England, explained social work was about “being a catalyst for positive change in people’s lives”.
• Lived experience expert, Marie Kivlichan, who said “Social workers have the greatest role to play – be curious about the system, be curious about those you are caring for. Only when we keep challenging will we see change”.

Learning skills and theories

Preparing to become part of the profession, trainees were taken through a packed agenda:

• Relationship-based practice
• Understanding mental health and wellbeing
• Becoming part of a profession with Social Work England
• Communication Skills

Making new friends for life

Something we hear time and again is just how strong the peer support is on our programme. Joining a cohort and moving through the training together, people really do make friends for life on this course and form invaluable working relationships across their professional networks.

The five-week Summer Institute includes a week’s residential stay at Middlesex University, our academic partner.  Here our trainees get to meet their units for the first time and wider cohort.

Welcoming the new cohort

The Class of 2024 is made up of 161 passionate trainees who we’re delighted to welcome onto the programme.

Joining from all kinds of backgrounds, with all kinds of experiences, they are united by their determination to use the social approach to help support people living with mental health needs.

Head to our data and impact page to find out more about the cohort and the impact the programme and our trainees are having.

We look forward to supporting our new trainees through the programme and wish them well for their training placements.