Financial information

Fully-funded training programme

Our programme and the qualifications you earn are fully funded.

  • Be paid to train: with a student bursary in your first year and a newly qualified social worker salary in your second year.
  • Earn a fully funded postgraduate diploma in social work.
  • Earn a fully funded master’s degree.
  • Join our Alumni Community after qualifying for ongoing continuing professional development and networking opportunities.
First year Second year
Full-time student. Employee.
Paid a tax-free training bursary. Paid a taxable salary as a newly qualified social worker.
£18,250 (London weighting £20,250).

13 monthly instalments starting with a pro-rata payment for Summer Institute, usually in July.

 Typically £27,000 – £35,000.

Paid by the organisation you work for. Salaries vary across the country and between NHS trusts and local authorities.
Expenses covered:

  • Accommodation, if required, and lunch for the Summer Institute in-person week.
  • Teaching day travel costs and lunches.
  • Accommodation if needed for teaching days, with dinner costs subsidised.
  • Travel costs for home visits are usually covered or subsidised by the local authority or NHS trust you are training with.
 Expenses covered:

  • Teaching day travel costs and lunches.
  • Accommodation if needed for teaching days, with dinner costs subsidised.
  • Travel costs for home visits are usually covered or subsidised by the local authority or NHS trust you are working for.
Expenses not covered:

  • Whilst lunch is provided at the Summer Institute, breakfast and dinner is subsidised only.
  • Travel costs for your journey to work.
  • Renewing your DBS update service at the end of Year One.
  • Upgrading your car insurance to business insurance if using for work.
 Expenses not covered:

  • Whilst lunch is provided at the academic recall days, breakfast and dinner is subsidised only.
  • Travel costs for your journey to work
  • Registering with the professional body Social Work England.
  • Upgrading your car insurance to business insurance if using for work.

Additional financial support

We want our programme to be as accessible as possible and are pleased to be able to offer fully funded training and qualifications. Given the rising costs of living however, you may find you still need additional financial support.

 

State benefits and support

In the first year of our programme, you are classified as a full-time student which can affect your ability to secure or continue receiving certain benefits.

The below offers a general overview but we advise you visit the Department for Work and Pensions website and Turn2us website for a more personal overview.

Benefit First year Second year
Carer’s allowance No Yes
Child benefit Yes Yes
30 hours free childcare No Yes
Council Tax discount* Yes No
Personal Independence Payments Yes Yes
Universal Credit No Yes

*As a full-time student you are usually ‘disregarded’ from council tax calculations in your first year. If you live with other people however, they will still need to pay council tax though could do at a discounted rate. The Citizen’s Advice Bureau share useful information on council tax.

 

Think Ahead’s hardship fund

We have a hardship fund to support our trainees through financial difficulties. If you are concerned you could struggle financially, there may be additional support we can offer you.

It is important to note that this level of support is not guaranteed and grants from the fund are agreed on a case-by-case basis. Our recruitment team will be able to give you more information on the fund once you are offered a place.