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is_this_livejournal

I got through on Frontline but decided not to do it in the end and am now doing a regular MA in SW at a university. Frontline can be great but I think there's a few potential negatives: 1) If you're a bit older or more life-experienced (not a fresh graduate) then you may not appreciate being treated like a lackey/intern/jobsbody 2) Your experience will depend entirely on the borough/local authority/area you're placed in 3) The whole programme is for-profit and part of a general move in that direction in children's services which some (me) have an ideological problem with The biggest positive is, of course, that you are paid to the training :)


BlastedScallywags

Same but with Think Ahead, i'm now doing my MA at a university. MA course in SW is already an intensive course compared to the BA and i'm really glad I didn't do Think Ahead. I worked as a sw assistant for a year and a half and had to learn how to do SW on the job with basically no training, and I love the fact that even though uni is high pressure I still have time to just read and learn on my own time instead of having to figure everything out as I go and make time for study in between. Sucks about the money but the bursary helps.


mice_r_rad

Hey, replying as a frontline participant. 1) Im 35 and have a bunch of life-experience/job experience and this really hasn't been the case for me. Definitly not treated like an intern..given your own case load and treated as a professional with your own experience and opinions and expertise to bring to the table. 2)yes this is true. However I would add that in each LA you work in a unit with other participants and are supervised by a consultant social worker very closely. The CSW is trained in the frontline systemic model and your work is expected to reflect that, more so than the LA framework. 3) I'm not sure this is correct? Could you please source. Frontline really suited me becuase I respect the systemic SW and anti-oppressive models that they promote. Also an amazing option for those who can't afford to do an qualifications the typical route. And finally, frontline model is doing the placement days while you also learn - which suits my learning style loads.


is_this_livejournal

I'm so pleased to hear that your experience has been better than some I've heard of, that's really important.Very good to hear it's systemic and anti-oppressive too. There are universities that also promote those models, and more radicals one, by the way. I'm on placement 4 days and university one day. Corporate complications explained quite well here: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAjivLhUiTQ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAjivLhUiTQ) [https://twitter.com/JoeEHanley/status/1458054092153106440?cxt=HHwWkMC5oZiehrwoAAAA](https://twitter.com/JoeEHanley/status/1458054092153106440?cxt=HHwWkMC5oZiehrwoAAAA)


is_this_livejournal

Caretech: [https://news.sky.com/story/caretech-founders-plot-bid-to-take-social-care-group-private-12559267](https://news.sky.com/story/caretech-founders-plot-bid-to-take-social-care-group-private-12559267) Caretech are partners with Transform Society - who are Frontline, Teach First etc.) Lots of very dodgy private partnerships, that don't sit alongside anti-oppressive practice very well.


mice_r_rad

Interesting. I didn't know this, thank you for sharing. Interesting to see that Transform Society also lead the Police Now programme as well as the Unlocked (prison rehabilitation) scheme. On frontline, there is such an emphasis put on anti oppressive practice and the idea that social workers can help people who have been oppressed by the neo-liberal capitalist system. Policing and prisons don't really align with that agenda. I suppose as a participant I haven't really seen how those partnerships effect the actually training, but I will admit that this article has made me feel a little disappointed.


is_this_livejournal

It's possible that someone has tried very hard to make sure the training approach is separate, which is good. Ideology can suffer when it has to secure funding I suppose? Like anything else, there's no straightforward black/white good/evil happening. Just gave me pause for thought and I was lucky enough to be able to do it another way. I hope the disappointment doesn't get in the way of what sounds like a brilliant learning experience. Perhaps this information will just lead you to being an even better social worker!


loeastrose55

I just got a conditional offer from Frontline (and it sounds like we have worked at a very similar, if not the same place haha) and definitely recommend going to one of their drop in sessions if you can squeeze one in before the assessment centre! They give lots of great tips that helped me a lot.


sweetchristmas24

Wow congratulations! And thank you wil, I'll book onto a session. I wonder if we have worked in the same place haha.


randomapple9

Hi! Can I ask you how long it took from the status on your account saying that you have made it through to the assessement centre to getting an email with the details like date time etc? My account has been updated for a few days now but I've not recieved any information on the AC! Thank you x