Thinkahead.org

Think Ahead Fast-track mental health social work scheme

WEBCalling for investment in the mental health workforce. Ahead of next year’s General Election, we have published our first Think Ahead manifesto for urgent transformation of the mental health workforce. Workforce Matters: A Manifesto, shares the often challenging reality of life on the frontline and impact the ongoing workforce crisis is

Actived: 3 days ago

URL: https://thinkahead.org/

Report: Public knowledge and perceptions of careers in …

WEB90% believe that mental health professionals are at risk of attack. 85% think they have to work long and unsociable hours. Only 42% believe …

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Movement and mental health

WEBOur lived experience partners, Caroline and Lyndsay, share how this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week theme “Movement: Moving more for our mental health” relates to them. Whilst moving can have a positive impact on many people’s mental health, for people living with mental health needs it can be a complicated relationship. Caroline When I was […]

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The role of social work in supporting people through crisis

WEBEvery year, thousands of people experience a mental health crisis. Jacqui Bell, an experienced social worker working with Think Ahead, describes the unique role that social workers play in supporting people through these situations. Crisis can affect anyone Anyone can experience a mental health crisis. They affect people of all ages, genders, and …

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About mental health social work

WEBThe Think Ahead programme qualifies you for any social worker role*, including work in specialist mental health settings like forensic services and child and adolescent mental health services, but the main focus is on experience in adult community mental health services. Teams within these services are multi-disciplinary, and can include social

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How the programme works

WEBThe legal and policy framework relevant to mental health and human rights. The different mental health problems you may encounter. The range of issues which influence people’s mental health – including, for example, physical illness, childhood experiences, discrimination, domestic situations, employment, and substance misuse.

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Calling for investment in the mental health workforce

WEBMental health professionals have chosen a career that supports others, yet they are far too often inadequately supported themselves. That lack of support is taking its toll. Over a quarter of all lost working days in the NHS recorded under stress, anxiety and other mental health illnesses [i] and 500,000 working days in local councils being

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Rapid report: How mental health social workers are responding to …

WEBWe have today published a new report about how mental health services, and the social workers within these teams, are responding to the coronavirus pandemic. The report, which is based on a series of interviews, explains the challenges services and professionals are facing, and how mental health teams are transforming their work to provide the […]

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News and publications

WEBApplications are open for Think Ahead’s programme to train to be a mental health social worker. The Department of Health and Social Care has extended Think Ahead’s contract to recruit and train 320 mental health social workers by 2027. The funding will be used to recruit 160 graduate trainees in 2024 and again in 2025. […] Full story. 23

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Supporting job seekers living with mental health problems

WEBSupporting job seekers living with mental health problems. We are delighted to be joining forces with the not-for-profit organisation, Social Finance, to help bring specialist support to job seekers living with mental health problems. Commissioned by NHS England, we are embarking on a two-year joint project to expand Individual Placement and Support …

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It’s a “wonderful profession” – our seventh intake of trainee mental

WEBOur 2022 Cohort have begun their training to become mental health social workers, kicking off their journey with a day of welcome talks and teaching at the first day of our Summer Institute. This is our seventh cohort to join the programme, meaning that we have taken on 823 trainee social workers since our first […]

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Think Ahead contract extended to bolster mental health social …

WEBThe Department of Health and Social Care has extended Think Ahead’s contract to recruit and train 320 mental health social workers by 2027. The funding will be used to recruit 160 graduate trainees in 2024 and again in 2025. Think Ahead is a national programme which attracts thousands of people every year to a career in social work

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Male role models and bonding over DIY

WEBAfter working with young carers, care leavers, older people, and in drugs and alcohol services, I ended up in mental health social work. I was one of the first South Asian workers in the mental health team, so my colleagues would often ask me to help them overcome language or cultural barriers when working with people experiencing mental ill

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Who we're looking for

WEBThe Think Ahead attributes. We’re looking for anyone with a passion to help people living with mental health needs and to do something that matters. We believe diversity in the workforce is invaluable. We strongly encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds who can bring different perspectives to the role including: people from black, Asian

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Mental health social work in 2021

WEBThink Ahead’s first conference – Mental health social work in 2021. We were delighted to be joined by over 350 delegates this week at our first ever conference, Think Ahead presents: Mental health social work in 2021.. The event offered a rare opportunity to focus on the vital role frontline mental health social workers play in driving and responding to …

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“I’ve always been interested in how masculinity affects men and …

WEBMen’s mental health, and the role that social workers play in helping them to address it, takes centre stage in an article written by a Think Ahead participant for the HuffPost UK. JJ, who is also an author and poet, began training as a mental health social worker with the Think Ahead programme in 2019. In this piece he discusses some […]

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Research by Think Ahead social worker finds that inpatients’ …

WEBKuldip explains: “As a mental health social worker from a BAME background, the question of awareness [of people’s religious and cultural needs] often haunts me, particularly when I visit inpatient wards, environments traditionally dominated by the medical model… my suspicion was that services are not always inclusive of religious and

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How I was helped through my psychosis

WEBThat’s why I’ve been working with organisations such as Rethink Mental Illness, Mind, McPin Foundation, Time to Change, and, this year, Think Ahead – where I’ve supported the development of the programme. My overriding hope is that we can attract more great people to become mental health social workers, and that I can help all mental

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Join the mental health mission: apply today

WEBApplications for 2024 entry to our mental health social work programme are now open. With Think Ahead, you could be paid to train as a mental health social worker and support people with mental health needs. Joining the programme you will: Gain a fully-funded postgraduate diploma and master’s degree in social work.

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People with lived experience

WEBThink Ahead’s Service User and Carer Reference Group was established in November 2014. The members of the group provide us with a wealth of knowledge, experience, and invaluable advice, and their input fundamentally shapes our work. We believe it is crucial to involve people with lived experience of mental health problems, and accessing

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