Permanent contracts (pending successful completion of ASYE) | Starting salary £37,280 per annum (Scale I) | up to 37 hours per week | Norfolk
Starting your Social Work career - Join Norfolk Institute for Practice Excellence (NIPE) for a supported start.
Join an Outstanding local authority and be part of one of the strongest children’s services in the country. Following our recent Ofsted inspection, inspectors found that children in Norfolk receive “consistently strong services that impact positively on their and their families’ lives.” They described our practice as “child centred” and highlighted a culture where “children and care leavers come first.”
Read Ofsted's Inspection of Norfolk Children's Services March 2026 report
You may have just finished or are still completing your Social Work course or you may have completed your qualification some time ago but never worked in a statutory social work role. Norfolk Children's Services are recruiting those who have not yet completed their Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) into our highly successful Norfolk Institute for Practice Excellence (NIPE) programme of support.
To support you to make the best start in your career as a social worker in Norfolk Children’s Services we offer the following enhanced level of support alongside the national ASYE programme through our Norfolk Institute for Practice Excellence (NIPE):
- A reduced caseload that builds over the year in terms of case numbers and complexity so you gain a good foundation and range of skills.
- A dedicated Practice Consultant, an experienced senior Social Worker, to support you with reflective supervision, learning groups and tailored 1-1 support throughout your first two years, as well as your Team Manager.
- The chance to learn from the more experienced social workers in your team through group supervision and co-working more complex cases.
- Protected development time and training throughout your ASYE, as well as the benefits of our Teaching Partnership with the University of East Anglia – you can start to build modules towards a fully funded optional MA in Advanced Social Work.
- You can also join us as a Social Work Assistant in advance of being registered with Social Work England so that you can gain experience and paid employment.
- Continued support through the second year of practice to suit your particular needs.
- A regionally competitive starting salary of £36,124. Progression to Level 2 and increase in salary to £38,626 at the end of your ASYE
We are proud of our social workers and our commitment to supporting newly qualified social workers. We have a proven track record of investment in newly qualified workers and are determined to help you to become the best social worker that you can be.
We will expect a lot from you but in return you can also expect a lot from us. We want those who come through our programme to remain with us and to continue to develop and progress providing a high-quality service to children in Norfolk.
Young people are at the heart of our practice at Norfolk County Council. They have established key principles for their ideal worker to help them flourish. Please ensure you read these requirements carefully and apply only if you can fully commit to them.
For an informal discussion with the NIPE Team Manager, Ruth Pilch, regarding our programme please email [email protected]
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Please note: You will be required to travel as part of your role so it is essential you have a current UK driving licence and a vehicle before you start. If you hold a provisional licence but have not yet passed your test you are welcome to apply and will be interviewed if shortlisted. If successful at interview you will be offered a conditional place with a delayed start date to allow you to pass your driving test. We can delay your start date for a maximum of up to six months. If you do not pass your test within six months of your interview date, your conditional offer will be withdrawn.
To view further information regarding the vacancy please click on the links below:
Job Description and Person Specification
Reward and Benefits
Recruitment Information for Candidates – Norfolk County Council
We have miles of beautiful coastline and our unique Broads, thriving market towns and a city with a proud cultural heritage. Our economy is growing and driven by innovation in a number of sectors, including energy and food. We also have ambitious plans for new housing and a building programme for schools across Norfolk. Our county a great place to live, work and visit, and is an excellent environment for businesses to start, grow and innovate.
We are the main local authority for Norfolk providing services countywide to more than 850,000 Norfolk residents. We take the lead in critical policy areas, working with 84 elected Members responsible for the strategic local government services in the county.
We provide a high quality service through involving people who use our services to shape and comment on them and by promoting efficiency and innovation.
We work in partnership with local businesses, voluntary organisations and other local authorities such as District and Parish Councils to provide the people of Norfolk with excellent services.
