15
October 2024
Become a mental health social worker: apply today
Applications for our 2025 entry to our mental health social work programme are now open.
- Gain a fully-funded postgraduate diploma and master’s degree in social work.
- Be an advocate for local people in your community with mental health problems.
- Earn as you learn with dedicated support from experienced social workers and academic tutors.
- Start a career that changes lives.
This is your chance to join the mental health mission and do something that matters.
With Think Ahead, you could be paid to qualify as a social worker and specialise in supporting adults with mental health needs.
Register to apply in just five minutes today.
Discover more about the programme
Application support
There is lots of support and guidance available to help with your application across our website. You might find hearing from one of our trainees or attending one of our events useful.
Hear from our trainees and qualified social workers
Current trainees Gina, Beks and Skyla have shared some tips for new applicants – exploring how their skills and experience fit with our attributes and any advice they would give on the application process.
You can also learn more about the role of a social worker from pieces Amy, Sanjit and Jamie have written.
Each of them working in different teams, they are now qualified social workers and share the realities of what they all describe as a challenging but rewarding career.
Find out more about different areas of social work
Events
Still questioning if this is the right move for you?
Book onto one of our free online events to hear more about our programme and the role of a social worker in mental health.
Ask any questions you may have and hear from previous trainees, experienced social workers and people who’ve used mental health services themselves.
Change your career event: moving into social work
Starting your career as a mental health social worker event
Apply early to avoid disappointment
We advise you apply early to give yourself the best chance of securing a place on this programme.
We partner with NHS trusts and local authorities across England to provide our training placements. These are filled on a rolling basis and your chance of success relies on you passing the application process, but also there being a placement location suitable for you.
Some areas are more popular and fill more quickly than others, so we would encourage you to apply as early as you can.