Frontline, England’s largest social work charity, has announced it will continue its partnership with Lancaster University as it delivers the next round of its Master’s-level training programme.

The charity will be running the next iteration of its social work Master’s training programme, after being awarded a further contract by the Department for Education.

Starting in 2024, the new programme will train 500 people a year specialising in child protection social work, over a three-year period. Frontline will continue to work closely with Lancaster University as Higher Education partner, as well as local authorities across the country.

Consistently ranked in the top five universities in the country for its social work course, Lancaster University is recognised as being a centre of expertise in children and families-related social work.

Professor Chris Grover, head of Sociology at Lancaster University said: “We are delighted to be continuing our partnership with Frontline and extending our shared commitment to achieving the highest standards in social work education and practice to attain the best outcomes for children and families.”

The new programme will build on the success of, and draw on, the charity’s 10 years of experience designing and delivering the Frontline programme.

Mary Jackson, Frontline’s CEO said: “This contract award is a testament to Frontline’s experience and expertise, and to the work put in over the course of a year-long and highly competitive process. We have already brought over 2,000 people into the profession and are delighted to have the opportunity to keep doing this. We remain as committed as ever to training and developing many more skilled social workers working to protect children and keep them safe from harm. This is key to helping us achieve our mission to create social change for children by developing excellent social work practice, leadership and innovation.”