We've submitted evidence to the Independent Commission on Adult Social Care. We're calling for:  1. Modern, integrated systems 2. Social, holistic support 3. Workforce investment https://thinkahead.org/publication/submission-to-the-independent-commission-on-adult-social-care/ #AdultSocialCare

Closer working across local authority and NHS mental health teams is essential for joined-up care. Ben works in the Cheshire West Specialist Mental Health Social Care team, in the same office as his local NHS Community Mental Health Team. https://thinkahead.org/story/bens-story/

The Health and Social Care Committee has identified priorities to improve community mental health services. The bottom line: support and retain the workforce. Read our recommendations: https://thinkahead.org/news-item/five-priorities-for-fixing-community-mental-health-services/ #SocialWorkMatters

Today, we’re supporting Samaritans for #BrewMonday ☕ ‘Blue Monday’ might be a myth, but struggling with mental health is very real - and it can happen any day of the year. Today is a good reminder to check in with loved ones, start a conversation, and let people know they’re not alone.

Falling NHS waiting times are welcome, but they tell only half the story. Physical health has targets; mental health does not. Until mental health is treated with the same urgency, true progress remains out of reach.

The Health and Social Care Committee report on Community Mental Health Services clearly endorses 5 key issues we raised in our submitted evidence.  The bottom line: we must support the workforce. https://thinkahead.org/news-item/five-priorities-for-fixing-community-mental-health-services/

What’s on your 2026 career development list? Ben’s aiming for Approved Mental Health Professional training. He's worked with Cheshire West Council specialist mental health team since joining our programme in 2024, and now he’s ready to take the next step. https://thinkahead.org/story/bens-story/

🎅 Happy festive holidays from all at Think Ahead! 🎄 Our offices are closed from today, Wednesday 24th December, reopening Monday 5th January. We wish all of our trainees, alumni, staff, partners and followers a relaxing festive break!

Many people working in the mental health and social care sectors will be continuing to support people in need this Christmas. So to all those who are working through the festive period, THANK YOU from everyone at Think Ahead - we appreciate you! ❤️

Mental health and substance use needs are still treated separately, despite being deeply connected. This leads to fragmented care and poor outcomes. DHSC’s Delivery Framework sets out a vision for joined-up care. We’re launching training to help make it happen. Email [email protected]

Public debate on mental health “over-diagnosis” has been loud since the government announced its review into service demand. We support the review – a clear, evidence-based picture of what’s really happening is essential. But clarity must go hand in hand with action...

Mental health social work is built on respecting people’s rights and understanding their needs. Social workers are specially trained to interpret the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act and Human Rights Act to ensure those rights are protected and personalised support is in place.

Social factors influence wellbeing: - Stable employment - Financial pressures - Secure housing - Relationships - Isolation - Trauma So where is the recognition and investment in mental health social workers within NHS workforce planning? #SocialWorkMatters #MentalHealth #SocialCare

❓What does a mental health social worker do? We’re breaking down the role so everyone understand the vital role they play in supporting people with mental health needs. Mental health social workers connect people to other support they might need.

A clear message from the Health and Social Care Committee. Mental health social workers are essential, and people with SMI should have access to a social worker they can rely on.

The findings from the latest Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey are clear: poverty, debt, and unemployment drive poor mental health. We can’t improve mental health without addressing the conditions people live in. This is why #SocialWorkMatters.

Mental health social work is often misunderstood and overlooked - but it's more valuable now than ever. Building relationships is a core skill of the role: • Listening to people and building trust over time • Advocating to ensure voices are heard • Working with a person's family and wider network

Today’s budget makes it clear: mental health is still not being treated with the urgency it deserves. While we welcome investment in new neighbourhood health centres and measures like raising the minimum wage, the absence of any dedicated plan or funding for mental health is a serious omission.

We are still on a high from our conference with IPS Grow where we heard about the fantastic work happening across the country. IPS (Individual Placement and Support) is an employment support approach that enables people with mental health needs, who want to work, find a job that's right for them.

Social isolation can affect anyone, especially people living with mental health needs. Sarah, our Involvement Lead, shares how important peer support and access to community can be for people living with mental health problems.

📣We’re hiring! We are looking for a passionate and experienced social worker to join us as a Practice Specialist, helping to shape the next generation of mental health social workers. https://thinkahead.org/workwithus/opportunities-at-head-office/ #SocialWorkJobs #MentalHealth #CharityJobs

NHS figures show one in ten mental health patients wait over 24 hours in A&E – a crisis we cannot accept. Support must meet people’s needs closer to home, taking into account housing, finances, relationships, and community. Mental health social workers are a crucial part of making this happen.

📣We’re hiring! Join us as as our new Communications Officer. If you have a passion for storytelling, digital communications & using your creativity for social impact, we would love to hear from you: https://thinkahead.org/workwithus/opportunities-at-head-office/ #CharityJobs #CommunicationJobs

“I want to really build on the skills that I’ve developed so far and use them to empower me to be able to make that difference in people’s lives.” Ben was previously working as a support worker and has joined our programme this year to retrain as a mental health social worker.

The support of a mental health social worker can be transformational in a person’s recovery. They help people navigate the complexities of the health and social scare system and provide that consistent care and understanding that is so crucial to someone feeling understood and seen.

The difference mental health social workers can make is transformational. For Harris, support of his social worker helped him to manage his severe anxiety  depression. Everyone struggling with their mental health deserves the support that Harris got, to get well and stay well. #SocialWorkMatters

The latest Skills for Care report shows some positive steps in adult social care, including falling vacancy rates. But real and persistent challenges remain in building a workforce that is supported, developed, and recognised for the value it brings.

🗣️“Social work is a job that sometimes has negative connotations but also lots of people don’t know what we do.” Harry trained with us as a mental health social worker in 2021 and shares his experiences working in an older adults team in Durham.

“Mental health is not getting the focus it desperately needs.” That’s one of the key reflections our Head of Communications and Public Affairs Katie had after this year’s Labour Party conference. #LabourConference #MentalHealth

🚨74% of people living with mental illness are not getting the right treatment at the right time. We know the mental health workforce are already being pushed to their limits. But with 1.8 million people on NHS #MentalHealth waiting lists, the government must act now.

The Fair Pay Agreement is a long-overdue recognition that #SocialCare is skilled, essential work that deserves better pay & conditions. The £500m commitment is a start but we need sustained workforce investment to: ✅improve conditions ✅tackle staff shortages ✅support longer-term reform

Giles shares his motivations for training with us as a mental health social worker: “I think it comes from a place of always wanting to work with people directly, having valued that in my previous roles in the charity sector. I want to help people get the best out of everything on offer.”

There are endless misunderstandings about the role of a mental health #SocialWorker. We love this Community Care article exploring the value of the role: https://www.communitycare.co.uk/2025/08/27/from-pet-sitter-to-domestic-abuse-advocate-the-unseen-life-of-a-mental-health-social-worker/

Social workers can support with the things that matter most to us all. Housing. Family. Employment. Community. When someone is experiencing #MentalHealth problems, they may need support in all areas of their life. #SocialWork #MentalHealthSocialWork

Mental health social workers must be properly recognised as part of the NHS workforce.   We were so pleased to hear Andrew George MP raise the vital question of whether social workers will be included in the next NHS workforce plan at this week’s Health and Social Care Select Committee session.

Starting a conversation about suicide can save someone’s life. This #WorldSuicidePreventionDay we’re sharing this important message from Samaritans. Small interruptions you make and actions you take could help someone who is suicidal - you don’t have to be an expert.

📣 We’re #Hiring! Join our mental health charity as our new Business Development Manager. If you have a passion for driving new business growth and supporting new projects, apply now: https://thinkahead.org/workwithus/opportunities-at-head-office/ Closing: 5pm, Tuesday 16 September #CharityJobs

Good community mental health support can be life-changing for people with mental health needs. Saffron, one of our lived experience partners, shares: 🗣️ “The best community mental health support I’ve experienced has been person-centered, trauma-informed & flexible.

Social workers are vital for mental health services. They bring professional expertise, compassion & a commitment to social justice. Lyn Romeo, former Chief Social Worker for Adults & one of our trustees, advocated for the role of social workers at @basw-uk.bsky.social  conference this summer.

🗣️“I've always been interested in social justice and I think mental health is a really big issue in today's society.” Lewis, one of our 2025 trainees, shared with us his motivations for wanting to work in mental health and train as a social worker.

Misunderstood, undervalued, overlooked: social workers only make up around 2% of the mental health workforce. 🚨We’re calling on the government to recognise the value of social workers and include them in its upcoming NHS Workforce Plan.

🚨 There are only enough mental health social workers in the NHS to support 1 in 8 people who have severe mental illness. Mental health social workers are vital professionals who can make such a difference to people’s life - but we need more of them. #SocialWorkMatters

📢Everyone with a severe mental illness should have access to a mental health social worker. Mental health social workers provide life-changing support – but the profession is continuously misunderstood, undervalued and overlooked.

“I learned so much & met so many wonderful people. The future of social work is very bright.” Those are the words of one of our trainees after the Summer Institute. Congratulations to the 2025 cohort for completing five weeks intensive training as they begin their social work journey.

Last week our social work trainees heard from Marie, who has lived experience of mental health needs and has worked with a Think Ahead social worker. “Alex didn't support me. She was led by me. She advocated for me and we worked together to find solutions to problems in a way that worked for me.

🚨 “Our nation’s mental health is at crisis point - and social workers are a vital part of the solution.” Lyn Romeo CBE, our trustee & former Chief Social Worker for Adults, chaired a @basw-uk.bsky.social conference session on how mental health social workers are essential in mental health services.

Summer Institute Roundup: Week 4 of 5! ✅ Our trainees are now four weeks into their journey training as mental health social workers. This week they learnt about mental health diagnosis and treatment and social work theories and tools. 🗣️ Plus they heard from lived experience speaker Marie.

Elizabeth’s mental health social worker provided her with lifechanging support - but not everyone with mental health needs is as fortunate. Social workers like Elizabeth’s can be a crucial advocate for people, supporting with social issues like housing, relationships and employment.

Summer Institute Roundup: Week 3 of 5! ✅ That’s a wrap on the residential week of the Summer Institute at Middlesex University. We hope everyone on the cohort had a good week meeting their fellow social work trainees in person. #ThinkAheadProgramme #MentalHealthSocialWork

📢 It’s Residential Week at this year’s Summer Institute! We’re excited to meet and work with our new cohort for the first time in person at Middlesex University. Stay tuned for highlights 👀 #ThinkAheadProgramme #MentalHealthSocialWork