Public commitment to becoming an anti-racist organisation
Background In December 2020, we made a public commitment to become an anti-racist organisation. We outlined how we would make progress in achieving this and pledged to update on our commitments annually. In 2020, we committed to the following: Recruiting more people from Black, Asian and ethnically diverse communities into our graduate programme. Ensuring our […]
- 25 Jan / 16In the media
The Times: Think Ahead is “one of the most competitive graduate training schemes”
Think Ahead is featured in an article in today’s Times newspaper. The piece reveals that 2,338 students and graduates applied last autumn for the 80 to 100 places on Think Ahead’s first cohort, starting this July. At more than 23 applicants per place, that makes Think Ahead one of the most competitive graduate programmes in the country. […]
- 18 Dec / 15Features
‘How one mental health social worker helped me through my psychosis’
A member of Think Ahead’s Service User and Carer Reference Group speaks out about his experience of mental health problems. My name is Ziaul. I’m 32 years old, from the West Midlands, and have a range of interests including the gym, eating out, pool and snooker, travelling, hanging out with good close friends, and spending […]
- 2 Dec / 15News
Think Ahead application deadline announced
We can today announce the closing date for applications to join our 2016 cohort. The deadline to submit your application is 23:59 on Wednesday 16 December 2015. Think Ahead’s Recruitment Director Ivan Wise said: “We’ve been delighted by the number of applications we’ve received. I’d like to thank all of the students, graduates, and career-changers […]
- 19 Nov / 15Features
The intellectual rigour of mental health social work
Frances Turner, a Cambridge graduate and qualified social worker who is supporting Think Ahead’s programme development, explains how top graduates can use their skills to support people living with mental health problems. After completing an undergraduate degree in French at the University of Cambridge in 2007, I found myself in an unusual position. While many peers […]
- 10 Oct / 15News
World Mental Health Day: Stephen Fry encourages graduates to apply to Think Ahead
In our first ever film, released today, Stephen Fry urges people who want “a job that’s both rewarding and challenging” to “do something remarkable” by applying to Think Ahead. We were thrilled when Stephen agreed to be involved, and earlier today he tweeted that he was happy to help. I was delighted to be a part […]
- 7 Oct / 15News
Think Ahead involved in 50 university events this autumn
The Think Ahead recruitment team is gearing up for a full season of university visits over the autumn term. We’ll be visiting 28 different institutions and attending over 50 events in the next eight weeks, offering students and graduates the opportunity to learn more about our programme. We are holding a number of different events around the country, ranging […]
- 1 Sep / 15News
Applications for Think Ahead now open!
As reported by the Independent on Sunday this weekend, applications to join our first cohort in 2016 have now opened. Today, Think Ahead is asking you to consider if you’re remarkable enough to take a fast-track route into one of the country’s most rewarding and challenging professions. Over the coming months we’ll be recruiting exceptional […]
- 30 Aug / 15News
Think Ahead announces regional locations for participants
We have today announced the regions in which our first cohort will train and work. Participants will join Local Authorities and NHS Trusts across England, with most joining host organisations in the Midlands, South East, and London, and further places set to be available in Yorkshire and the North East. As part of our selection […]
- 30 Aug / 15News
University of York announced as Think Ahead’s academic partner
The University of York will co-design and deliver the academic elements of Think Ahead’s programme, it was announced today. Working collaboratively with experts in mental health and social work, and with input from experts at the University of Central Lancashire, the leading Russell Group university will team up with Think Ahead to develop an innovative […]
- 20 Aug / 15News
Devonshire Hall to host Think Ahead’s first Summer Institute
We can today reveal that Devonshire Hall, in Leeds, will host Think Ahead’s inaugural Summer Institute. The venue will welcome between 80 and 100 Think Ahead participants for six weeks in summer 2016 as they begin their exciting journey towards social work qualification. Devonshire Hall provides a state-of-the-art learning environment. This means the venue is […]
- 20 Aug / 15In the media
Think Ahead featured in The Economist
Think Ahead has been featured in this week’s Economist, in an article looking at how the Teach First model is being used in other areas of public service. The piece is based on a visit to Police Now’s Summer Academy. It looks at the success of Teach First in producing 99% ‘outstanding’ or ‘good’ teachers, and how Police […]
- 11 Aug / 15News
Think Ahead website goes live
Today (11 August) we’ve published Think Ahead’s full website, offering much more information on our programme ahead of our first recruitment season. If you’re thinking about applying to the Think Ahead programme, the About the programme pages include in-depth information on mental health social work, the programme structure, and how to apply. About us provides some background […]