Newly Qualified Social Worker

Salary Range: £36,369 per annum, plus Market Supplement of £6,000 per annum (actual salary £42,369 per annum); rising to £43,204 per annum after successful completion of your ASYE.

Work Location: New Forest or Eastleigh & Winchester (Hybrid Working).

Hours per week: 37.

Contract Type: Permanent.

Closing Date: 20 March 2026.

Interview Date: w/c 27 April 2026.

The Role: Launch your social work career where outstanding practice comes first. As a Newly Qualified Social Worker you’ll join an OUTSTANDING Children’s Services, with one of the highest performing local authorities in the country. We’re proud of our innovative Hampshire Approach, a nationally recognised model that’s transformed children’s social care by delivering faster, better outcomes. It prioritises strong relationships, early help and strengths-focused, collaborative working, creating the right environment for you to thrive.

We’re looking for ambitious, motivated Social Work graduates to join our Graduate Entry Training Scheme (GETS) - a two-year programme offering structured learning, high quality development opportunities and tailored support to help you grow in confidence and frontline practice. You’ll join a cohort of Social Work Graduate Trainees, starting with an intensive induction before moving into one of our teams in the South West. We currently have vacancies in both our New Forest and Eastleigh & Winchester teams. You’ll then complete your ASYE with ongoing supervision, development and a reduced caseload that grows alongside your confidence.

What you’ll be doing:

• Developing as a Newly Qualified Social Worker through a structured two-year programme, completing your ASYE in year one followed by a Professional Development Year, with ongoing learning and skills progression.
• Receiving intensive support and protected development time, including regular supervision, a dedicated Practice Educator, a reduced and gradually increasing caseload, structured development days and self-directed learning opportunities such as shadowing and multiagency work.
• Building professional confidence and capability for long-term practice, with continued support in year two, enhanced development opportunities and potential eligibility for a £3,000 one-off payment at the end of your third year in employment.

What we’re looking for:

• A recognised Social Work degree (or due to qualify before the end of September 2026).
• Registration with Social Work England (SWE), or eligibility and commitment to register once qualified.
• Assessment, analysis and problem-solving skills: Ability to assess risks and needs, analyse complex information, identify problems, negotiate solutions and recognise resource constraints and best value principles.
• Communication and engagement skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills, including active listening, clear and logical presentation of information, relationship-building with diverse service users and appropriate engagement and disengagement.
• Professional, collaborative and well organised practice: Ability to produce high-quality reports and accurate case and financial records with strong numeracy skills. Able to manage time and organise own workloads effectively, working both independently and within multi-disciplinary teams.

Career growth: Take a look at the career pathways we offer. Professional development: Continuous learning and supportive supervision is a key priority for us. Employee support: Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice. Competitive salary and benefits package: Including generous annual leave entitlement, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Applications are open now until 20 March 2026 with interviews and assessment days held the week commencing 27 April 2026. You are welcome to apply whilst your social work qualifications are in progress and you will be able to state on your application when you expect to receive them.

Travel Requirements: You will be required to travel to various locations within Hampshire and the Isle of Wight or other local authority, and it is essential that you have a current drivers’ licence and access to a reliable vehicle on a regular basis.

Vetting Requirements: This post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children’s Services, references will be requested prior to interview.

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies. We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.