At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families through social work, managing caseloads and conducting assessments.
- Company: Join Northamptonshire Children's Trust, a supportive and inclusive organisation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days annual leave, health benefits, and a local government pension scheme.
- Other info: Structured ASYE programme with mentorship and ongoing training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your career in a vibrant environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in Social Work and passion for improving lives required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
We are committed to continuous improvement, building a skilled, knowledgeable, and flexible workforce alongside promoting innovation and creativity whilst keeping children, young people and families at the heart of all we do.
We really value our workforce and offer you a great benefits package including:
- SWE Registration paid yearly (social care colleagues)
- 28 days annual leave, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time) and an additional 5 days, after 5 years
- Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health pension protection.
- Opportunity to purchase up to 25 days annual leave
- Employee Assistance Programme - We have an employee support programme run by Health Assured, available for you and your immediate family members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
- Employee discounts with local and national retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more.
- Flexible and family working arrangements including enhanced maternity benefits
- A permanent, supportive and inclusive management team where you will be empowered to make good professional decisions
- Extensive Learning & Development and career development opportunities
- Subsidised town centre car parking scheme
About the role
Your Social Work Journey Starts Here! Join Northamptonshire Children’s Trust as a Newly Qualified Social Worker (NQSW). Are you ready to make a real difference in children’s lives—and have some fun while you’re at it? At Northamptonshire Children’s Trust, we’re not just offering you a job… we’re offering you a vibrant career with purpose, passion, and people who get it.
Why Choose Us? Because we know the first steps in your social work journey are the most important. That’s why we’ve built a brilliant ASYE (Assessed and Supported Year in Employment) programme, designed to support, inspire, and empower you every step of the way.
Here’s what’s waiting for you:
- A structured and supportive ASYE programme
- Mentoring from experienced and friendly practitioners
- A team that celebrates successes and lifts each other up
- A workplace culture that values YOU—your ideas, your voice, your well-being
- Ongoing training, CPD, and career development opportunities
- A Relationship Practice Approach
- NCT Values at the heart of the work we do with children, young people and families
What will you be doing?
We recognise the importance of supporting our newly qualified staff. That’s why all NQSWs will undertake the Assessed and Supported Year of Employment (ASYE). This structured program will help you transition into your role, providing mentorship, training, and opportunities to build your expertise.
Main duties to include:
- Manage a caseload of children and young people requiring social work support, including children in need and children looked after.
- Work alongside experienced social workers on complex casework to develop your skills and confidence.
- Conduct assessments, visit children and their families, and carry out direct work to support their needs.
- Develop and review care plans, ensuring all interventions prioritise the best interests of children and young people.
Be the Change. Be the Support. Be the Spark. Whether you’re passionate about safeguarding, children with lived experiences, family support, or empowering young people, Northamptonshire Children’s Trust is where you can grow your skills, find your rhythm, and truly thrive.
About you
We’re building a workforce that makes a real difference. To join our ASYE programme as an NQSW, you must be:
- Degree-qualified in Social Work (undergraduate or postgraduate)
- Either in your final year of study, awaiting your final results or recently qualified (Not worked as social worker before)
- Passionate about improving the lives of children and families
- Able to work under pressure with strong organisational skills
- You have or are in the process of obtaining your Social Work England registration
- Able to drive and have access to a vehicle or actively learning to do so
- Have the right to work in the UK – please note, we do not currently offer visa sponsorship for this role
This post is covered by the statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) and therefore the ability to speak fluent English is an essential requirement for the role. Enhanced DBS clearance and SW England required. Some posts in MASH and First Response (s47) teams are based in the Criminal Justice Centre (CJC) and are therefore subject to annual vetting by Northamptonshire Police. This clearance is required to undertake the role.
About us
At Northamptonshire Children’s Trust, children, young people and families are at the heart of everything we do. Every decision we make and every action we take is guided by our commitment to delivering high-quality services that make a lasting difference to the lives of children, young people and families across Northamptonshire.
We know that our people are our greatest strength. Our workforce is at the centre of our success, and we are committed to creating an environment where colleagues feel valued, supported and empowered to do the best job of their lives every day. We foster a culture built on kindness, collaboration and trust, where achievements are recognised, ideas are welcomed and innovation is encouraged.
We are proud of the positive impact we make together and delighted that our work has been recognised by Ofsted, with an Outstanding rating for Leadership and Management and Good ratings across Help and Protection, Children in Care and Care Leavers.
At NCT equality, diversity and inclusion are part of us and in everything we do, to enable all colleagues to develop and thrive in our organisation. We are a Disability Confident employer and have a commitment to care leavers, who we guarantee an interview if they meet the essential criteria.
If you are passionate about making a difference and want to be part of an ambitious, supportive and forward-thinking organisation, Northamptonshire Children’s Trust could be the place for you.
Newly Qualified Social Workers (ASYE) - Social Work Academy in Northampton employer: Northamptonshire Children's Trust
Northamptonshire Children's Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to the welfare of children and families, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises continuous improvement and professional development. As a Children's Safeguarding Social Worker, you will benefit from collaborative relationships with various professionals, ensuring meaningful impact in your role while enjoying opportunities for growth in a community-focused environment. Join us in making a difference where your expertise is valued and your contributions lead to positive change.
Contact Details:
Northamptonshire Children's Trust Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Newly Qualified Social Workers (ASYE) - Social Work Academy in Northampton
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Northamptonshire Children's Trust.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Northamptonshire Children's Trust!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Northamptonshire Children's Trust, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Northamptonshire Children's Trust or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Newly Qualified Social Workers (ASYE) - Social Work Academy in Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Northamptonshire Children's Trust:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Northamptonshire Children's Trust! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Northamptonshire Children's Trust
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
