Newly Qualified Social Worker: Sponsorship Available

Job Summary

Are you a Newly Qualified Social Worker (NQSW) ready to take the next step in your career? We are excited to invite applications for our Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) programme within Oxfordshire County Councils Social Work Professional Development Centre. We created this centre because we believe that investing in and supporting NQSWs is essential to building a strong, stable workforce and delivering outstanding services to children and families across Oxfordshire. The role of a childrens social worker is both challenging and rewarding a true privilege. We know that the right support during your first year of practice will give you the confidence and skills to thrive in your career.

Main duties of the job

What We Offer A structured ASYE programme designed to provide a safe, supportive environment for your first year in practice. A protected caseload and a gradual increase in responsibilities as your confidence grows. A personalised development plan, tailored to your learning needs, with regular progress reviews. Access to our competency framework, aligned with Oxfordshire County Councils guiding principles for strengths-based practice. Opportunities to join a variety of teams across Childrens Social Care. At Oxfordshire County Council, we are a strengths-based service focused on supporting families to keep children safe and achieve lasting change. Our approach is rooted in relationship-based practice and motivational interviewing, ensuring families are engaged and empowered throughout the process. Why Join Us? We are committed to providing a thoughtful, scaffolded learning experience where every NQSW feels supported and valued. Our goal is to help you become a confident, skilled practitioner who makes a real difference in the lives of children and families.

About Us

Are you a Newly Qualified Social Worker (NQSW)ready to take the next step in your career?We are excited to invite applications for our Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) programme within Oxfordshire County Councils Social Work Professional Development Centre.

We created this centre because we believe that investing in and supporting NQSWs is essential to building a strong, stable workforce and delivering outstanding services to children and families across Oxfordshire.

The role of a childrens social worker is both challenging and rewarding a true privilege. We know that the right support during your first year of practice will give you the confidence and skills to thrive in your career.

 

What We Offer

• A structured ASYE programme designed to provide a safe,supportive environment for your first year in practice.
• A protected caseload and a gradual increase in responsibilities as your confidence grows.
• A personalised development plan, tailored to your learning needs, with regular progress reviews.
• Access to our competency framework, aligned with Oxfordshire County Councils guiding principles for strengths-based practice.
• Opportunities to join a variety of teams across Childrens Social Care.

At Oxfordshire County Council, we are a strengths-based service focused on supporting families to keep children safe and achieve lasting change.Our approach is rooted in relationship-based practice and motivational interviewing, ensuring families are engaged and empowered throughout the process.

 

Why Join Us?

We are committed to providing a thoughtful, scaffolded learning experience where every NQSW feels supported and valued.Our goal is to help you become a confident, skilled practitioner who makes a real difference in the lives of children and families.

About the Role We are hiring for roles across Children’s Social Care. Services include: Children’s Assessment Team, Family Support and Safeguarding, Children We Care For, and Children with Disabilities. Heres what some of our recent NQSWs had to say… “The new Social Work Development Centre has enabled me to start my social work career in a positive, supportive and protected environment. I feel grateful that I have had the opportunity to be part of this team where I can develop at my own pace and where support is available as and when required, rather than being thrown in at the deep end. Being part of this friendly team has enabled me to gain confidence, knowledge and independence without feeling overwhelmed and out of my depth” Kirsty

“The Social Work Development Centre that is currently being run in Oxfordshire has really helped me feel safe and supported as a NQSW. The Development Centre supports all NQSWs from all backgrounds with varying levels of experience within children’s statutory social work. I feel that the Development Centre can really help those whose training and qualification has been impacted by the pandemic” Patrick

“All the people in the Social Work Development Centre are approachable and supportive, it feels like I’m part of a family. This was one of the most important things to me when looking for a job and I feel grateful to have joined such a friendly and forward-thinking organisation” Harriet

 

About You

This is a key safeguarding role, and our social workers play a vital part in ensuring children and families receive a safe, respectful, and child-focused service.

We are looking for individuals who:

• Practice with strong values, demonstrating a commitment to strengths-based approaches.
• Hold a Social Work degree and a reregistered with Social Work England.(If you are awaiting formal confirmation of your degree, we can offer an interim post as a Social Work Trainee.)
• Have excellent communication skills, with the ability to build positive relationships and engage effectively with children and families.
• Can produce clear, concise, and accurate written work.
• Are resilient, able to manage the emotional demands of the role, and willing to make use of appropriate support.
• Ability to travel across the county, including rural areas. Valid driving licence and access to own transport will be beneficial. Please enquire if you do not currently possess a valid driving licence and own transport.
• Bring experience of working with children and families, whether through placements or previous roles.

Rewards & Benefits

• A competitive salary starting at £38,220 per annum starting salary, with progression upon completion of ASYE.
• A pension package of up to 20% employer contribution.
• Manageable caseloads: not only is it important that you love what you do, but it’s also important to be able to manage your workload and devote the right amount of attention to each family.
• A role in an authority rated ‘good’ by Ofsted, as a Social Worker, you get the support you need.
• Flexible working. We do all we can to ensure that every one of our employees has a healthy work-life balance.Our agile working policy means you can work across council sites or from home to suit your needs and we support flexible working hours. You will be provided with a laptop, mobile phone and MS Teams to facilitate agile working.
• Generous annual leave allowance. We know that as a social worker, you do an invaluable job.We offer a generous holiday allowance starting at 29 days per year (plus bank holidays) to help demonstrate how much we value the work you do. We also offer an annual leave purchase scheme.
• A caring and supportive culture. We are passionate about keeping people safe, well and independent, whilst making a positive contribution. We host regular listening events and have a well at work scheme, which focuses on health and wellbeing. There’s also a social presence, with yoga classes, sports teams and more.
• Other benefits include a cycle to work scheme, staff discount scheme for a range of retailers, holidays, insurance, restaurants, health & leisure activities and rail travel.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Closing Date: 21 March 2026