Newly Qualified Social Workers
£42,000 per annum
£2,000 salary increase on successful completion of your probation / ASYE period
Permanent, Full Time (36 hours)
Location: Wandsworth
Recently rated ‘Outstanding’ in every area by Ofsted (May 2026)
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?
Join Wandsworth and start your career in a borough where excellent practice is recognised nationally and where your creativity, compassion and confidence are not only valued - they are essential.
Have the best start in your social work career and join Wandsworth’s Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) programme starting in September / October 2026!
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.
About the Programme
As a NQSW at Wandsworth, you will be joining either our Family Help service to work with 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. Ofsted recognised our strong investment in staff development and support, helping to create stable, high-performing teams that deliver consistently strong practice for children and families. You will be part of a programme that is positively evaluated year on year by previous NQSWs, with protected study time and a dedicated ASYE assessor offering individual reflective space for you.
You will have the opportunity to become an excellent social work practitioner who is able to build positive relationships with children and their families. You will receive a high-quality induction alongside incremental learning opportunities, high levels of supervision as well as an excellent support programme in your ASYE, including action learning sets and bespoke training workshops. The programme will also extend into your second and third years post qualifying with an Early Professional Development offer through our Teaching Partnership.
Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience
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You will need a relevant social work qualification and Social Work England membership, along with the experience of working across voluntary and statutory agencies.
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You will have a 'can do' attitude, are creative and champion for children and families to achieve the best possible outcomes, as our children deserve the best.
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An excellent communicator, collaborator who is compassionate and understands the needs of children and young people.
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You will also have applied knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance.
Our Offer
You will:
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Be part of a small team with manageable caseloads.
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Have business support for your team who work in collaboration with you.
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Be part of various working groups within the service and across the partnerships to champion areas of best practice and influence positive outcomes for children and families.
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Have access to an excellent training offer for social workers ranging from the accredited course of Systemic Foundation Training, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Informed Practice and various other reflective spaces to promote best practice.
Benefits
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£2,000 salary increase on successful completion of your probation/ASYE period.
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Payment of Social Work England registration fee.
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Performance related salary progression scheme.
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32 days annual leave plus bank holidays (40 paid days in total).
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Regular reflective supervision and peer group supervision.
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Tailored Personal Development Plans.
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Amazing training opportunities.
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An Early Professional Development (EPD – years 2 and 3 post qualifying) programme.
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Access to great transport links plus more..
To view our full benefits package, click here.
We encourage you to identify connectedness and the value of learning from experienced and professional practitioners around you. Therefore, we offer hybrid working and the number of office / home days vary dependant on service need.
If you are passionate about making a difference to the lives of children, young people, their parents & carers and want to join an organisation committed to outstanding, relationship-based social work practice – Wandsworth’s is where you need to be!
For more information or an informal conversation about the role please contact:
Florence Clark – Social Work Academy Manager [email protected]
Sue Connell – ASYE Manager [email protected]
Closing Date: 28 June 2026
Shortlisting Date: week commencing 29 June 2026
Interview Date: Week commencing 13 July 2026
Test: A case study test will be included as part of the interview.
We may close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
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 expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan.
How to apply?
To be considered for interview your CV and supporting statement must highlight your knowledge, skills and experience listed in the Job Profile located at the bottom of the advert.
Successful applicants will be invited to an interview, which includes a brief case study test.
