At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver ethical interventions and build positive relationships with children and families.
- Company: Join an Outstanding-rated Children’s Service in Wandsworth.
- Benefits: £42,000 salary, £2,000 increase post-probation, 32 days leave, and excellent training.
- Other info: Enjoy hybrid working and a supportive environment with low caseloads.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your social work skills.
- Qualifications: Relevant social work qualification and a passion for supporting families.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 42000 £ per year.
£42,000 per annum. £2,000 salary increase on successful completion of your probation / ASYE period. Permanent, Full Time (36 hours). Location: Wandsworth.
Join a Children’s Service that has just been rated ‘Outstanding’ in every area by Ofsted. In its most recent inspection, Ofsted praised Wandsworth’s highly responsive and compassionate social work, the trusting and enduring relationships practitioners build with children and families, and our firmly established culture of reflection, learning and professional curiosity.
Do you see yourself delivering ethical, relationship‑based interventions that respect and promote the rights of children, young people and their parents and carers? Are you passionate, ambitious and ready to change lives and shape futures? Can you support children and their families with their future hopes, self‑esteem and potential, and practise in a way that is respectful and ethical, privileging each family’s right to make the best possible decisions for their children?
About the Programme: As a Newly Qualified Social Worker (NQSW) you will share our values that inspire the Outstanding Practice Framework, creating the context for social workers to build relationships with families that bring about change and support children to live at home wherever possible. Our recent Ofsted inspection recognised the strength of this approach, highlighting highly responsive and compassionate social work, strong leadership, and a culture of reflection, learning and professional curiosity. Systemic practice is embedded across our multi‑disciplinary teams, and you will be joining the strongest practice conditions Wandsworth has ever had to achieve the best possible outcomes for children and families.
You will work in the Family Help service to support children, young people and their families to create positive change in their lives. You will be supported through our dedicated Social Care Academy, who lead the ASYE assessment, coupled with low caseloads that allow you the time and opportunity to do meaningful direct work with families. You will receive a high‑quality induction alongside incremental learning opportunities, high levels of supervision, and a dedicated ASYE assessor offering individual reflective space. The programme will also extend into your second and third years post qualifying with an Early Professional Development offer through our Teaching Partnership.
Responsibilities:
- Deliver ethical, relationship‑based interventions that respect and promote the rights of children, young people, parents and carers.
- Build positive relationships with children and their families, supporting them to achieve the best possible outcomes.
- Collaborate with multi‑disciplinary teams to embed systemic practice and promote best practice.
- Maintain professional practice, reflective supervision, and peer group supervision.
Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- A relevant social work qualification and Social Work England membership.
- Experience of working across voluntary and statutory agencies.
- ‘Can do’ attitude, creative and champion for children and families to achieve the best possible outcomes.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, compassion and understanding of the needs of children and young people.
- Applied knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance.
Benefits:
- £2,000 salary increase on successful completion of your probation/ASYE period.
- Payment of Social Work England registration fee.
- Performance‑related salary progression scheme.
- 32 days annual leave plus bank holidays (40 paid days in total).
- Regular reflective supervision and peer group supervision.
- Tailored Personal Development Plans.
- Excellent training opportunities including Systemic Foundation Training, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma‑Informed Practice and other reflective spaces.
- Early Professional Development (EPD – years 2 and 3 post qualifying) programme.
- Hybrid working with a mix of office and home days.
- Good transport links.
Contact Information:
Florence Clark – Social Work Academy Manager
florence.clark@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk
Sue Connell – ASYE Manager
sue.connell@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk
Equal Opportunities: Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Newly Qualified Social Worker - ASYE Programme (Sep / Oct 2026) employer: Richmond and Wandsworth Councils
Join Wandsworth's Outstanding Children’s Service, where you will be part of a compassionate and highly responsive team dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of children and families. With a strong emphasis on professional development through our Social Care Academy, low caseloads, and a culture of reflection and learning, we offer an enriching environment that supports your growth as a Newly Qualified Social Worker. Enjoy excellent benefits including a competitive salary, generous annual leave, and tailored training opportunities, all while working in a location known for its vibrant community and good transport links.
Contact Details:
Richmond and Wandsworth Councils Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Newly Qualified Social Worker - ASYE Programme (Sep / Oct 2026)
✨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 Richmond and Wandsworth Councils.
✨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 Richmond and Wandsworth Councils!
✨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 Richmond and Wandsworth Councils, 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 Richmond and Wandsworth Councils 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 Worker - ASYE Programme (Sep / Oct 2026)
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 Richmond and Wandsworth Councils:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Richmond and Wandsworth Councils! 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 Richmond and Wandsworth Councils
✨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.
