Frontline, a social work charity, in partnership with Lancaster University and Ambition Institute, has been selected to deliver five new programmes as part of the Government's National Professional Development Offer for children's social care.
These programmes will support social workers, practitioners, managers and leaders across children's services, strengthening the quality, consistency and confidence of the workforce that children and families rely on.
The National Professional Development Offer for children's social care is one of the most significant investments in workforce development in over a decade.
The Government's wider children's social care reforms aim to reset the system by strengthening early help, improving multi-disciplinary working and ensuring children and families receive timely, high-quality support.
This new professional development offer is a central part of this agenda. It is designed to equip professionals at every level with the skills, confidence and leadership needed to deliver excellent practice and better long-term outcomes for children.
Following a competitive tender process, the Department for Education has selected Frontline, in partnership with Lancaster University and Ambition Institute, to deliver all five programmes within the offer:
- Early Career Development Programme
- Family Help Team Manager Programme
- Lead Child Protection Practitioner Programme
- Leadership Programme
- Director of Children's Services Leadership Programme
The first programmes will begin from September 2027.
With academic staff working in child and family social work and the Centre for Child and Family Justice Research, Lancaster University will bring a wealth of higher education expertise to the five programmes.
Consistently highly ranked in all major UK league tables for social work, Lancaster University's expert team of academics will advise Frontline and contribute to the development of the five programmes.
Karen Broadhurst, Distinguished Professor of Social work from Lancaster University, said: "Investing in the professional development of practising social workers, managers and leaders across children's services is essential to improving outcomes for children and families facing increasing complex challenges and adversity. Lancaster University and the Centre for Child and Family Justice Research are
delighted to bring our expertise to this partnership, supporting the Government's ambitious family preservation agenda and recognising the vital contribution of the dedicated children's social care workforce."
Mary Jackson, Chief Executive of Frontline, commented: "By strengthening early help, child protection practice, team management and leadership, these programmes will help ensure that children receive the right support at the right time. Frontline is proud to have been chosen to lead this work with Lancaster University and Ambition Institute and we look forward to supporting local authorities to deliver the high-quality services that children and families deserve."
Lancaster University's partnership with Frontline is subject to a supply of services agreement.
Frontline is a children's charity working to make life better for children at risk of harm. The charity helps those working in social work and other children's services to develop excellent practice and leadership. And it is cultivating innovative new approaches to child protection and driving positive systems change for children.
