When you say it doesn't work. What part of it? Social networking seems to be a working idea in most cases. Larger companies or even tight knit small ones may allow movement or cross training after you're a trusted person. If I remember correctly... there's a few SQL events and user groups in the UK area.

This is an upcoming SQL Saturday Event.

http://sqlsaturday.com/202/eventhome.aspx

Jun 08, 2013 SQLSaturday #202 - Edinburgh 2013

These (as far as I know) are all UK user groups or other events.

http://www.sqlserverfaq.com/

These should all be UK or close Jr DBA jobs.

http://www.indeed.co.uk/Junior-DBA-jobs

I'm not sure what else you're looking for.