Newly qualified social workers joining Wigan benefit from Wigan’s Deal for ASYE. It aims to ensure that all newly qualified social workers in Wigan feel that they have the right level of emotional and practical support in place to help them develop and excel as social work practitioners.
We will ensure that all newly qualified social workers will be provided with an ASYE assessor on their first day, and they will be allocated to a Workforce Development Advanced Practitioner to oversee their first year in practice. Furthermore, access to a robust package of support, training and learning opportunities, as part of our ASYE deal co-ordinated by the Workforce Development Leads.
The Newly qualified social worker will be provided with monthly ASYE workshops, Monthly ASYE skills sessions and monthly reflective supervision.
- ASYE reviews: A personal development plan should be completed between the NQSW and their ASYE supervisor at the beginning of the ASYE programme. Following this, the review meetings for NQSW will take place at three-month intervals. These will be attended by the NQSW, the ASYE assessor and the Workforce Development Advanced Practitioner (A Workforce Development Lead will attend the six- and twelve-month reviews). Any required evidence/paperwork for the above review(s) should be completed and forwarded to the Workforce Development AP at least one week before the review meeting. These dates will be set at the start of the ASYE programme
- ASYE panel: The NQSW will attend ASYE panel at the twelve month stage where the principal social worker, service lead, ASYE assessor and Workforce Development AP and Lead will agree the successful completion of the ASYE programme
- Direct observations of practice: NQSWs are required to complete three direct observations of practice in their ASYE year. Two will be undertaken by the NQSW’s ASYE assessor, as per the Skills for Care guidance and one will be undertaken by the Workforce Development AP. These should be planned and agreed with the observer in advance, including the completion of the direct observation template and consent gained.
Newly qualified social worker (NQSW) - Assessed and supported year in employment support (ASYE)
The NQSW will attend monthly mandatory training on specific areas of social work practice, providing an understanding of practical social work. We also work with partner agencies and external services who provide learning in the service area of their expertise. These workshops provide the NQSW with an understanding of legislation and guidance which govern social work practice.
The NQSW will engage in monthly reflective supervision with their NQSW peers, facilitated by the Workforce Development Advanced Practitioners. This is a supportive environment to be able to explore our practice with children and families, and work with peers to be creative in problem solving.
Second Supported Year in Employment (SSYE)
The second supported year in employment is not an assessed year, it focuses on opportunities to develop social worker’s skill sets as practitioners and begin to support each social worker in their ambitions for future career progression.
The SSYE includes:
- Quarterly workshops on social work practice, legislation, and research and theory, these will be led by the Workforce Development Leads and the Quality Assurance and Practice Development Unit Team Manager
- Consideration of providing funding to those wishing to undertake further study in a specific area relating to social work practice considered to be of benefit to their role
- Ensuring each social worker in their SSYE is part of one collaborative case file audit undertaken by the Quality Assurance and Practice Development Unit, followed by an individual reflective opportunity to consider and embed any learning
- A buddying system between those in their SSYE and NQSWs on their ASYE, to share their learning and experiences, offer informal mentoring and support, and begin to develop mentoring skills
- Support in fostering and maintaining relationships across children’s social care workforce
- Any additional 1 - 1 support required in relation to training and practice development provided by the ASYE Leads.
Newly qualified social worker (NQSW) - Assessed and supported year in employment (ASYE)
For information about any of the wider support outlined, please contact ASYE.
Further details are available on the Skills for Care site. (external link)