Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE)
The BCP Council Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) programme sits within the authorities’ Social Work Academy and we are passionate about providing a supportive learning environment for newly qualified social workers.
The team are committed to providing a robust package of support to guide Newly-Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs) through the initial stages of their journey. As a newly qualified social worker positioned in one of the children’s teams, you will be offered opportunities to develop your practice and hone your knowledge and skills.
Our ASYE offer is rooted in the principles of child centred practice which is reflected in the range of training and development opportunities available throughout the year.
“The ASYE Academy team contains knowledgeable people who offer the emotional and practical support and the vision to get us from fresh out of university to confidently handling cases independently. The ASYE programme has showed me that you never stop learning. I am encouraged to apply my learning practically in a safe and supported environment.”
Newly-Qualified Social Worker, Children and Families First Team.
Each Newly-Qualified Social Worker can expect:
- an extensive three-week training and induction programme when they start
- mentoring and support from an allocated consultant social worker from the Academy team
- a capped caseload (limited to a maximum of 12 for the first three to six months)
- eight protected study days over the course of the year to complete their portfolio
- monthly group learning and development days
- monthly reflective supervision (fortnightly for first six weeks) in addition to case management supervision
- co-allocations with experienced practitioners and shadowing opportunities
“I feel very supported within the ASYE programme. My team manager has got my back in terms of ensuring I’m not overwhelmed or put into a situation where I am out of my depth, whilst at the same time ensuring I am learning from experience and shadowing others.”
Newly-Qualified Social Worker, Child Health and Disability Team
Reflective Supervision
Consultant Social Workers will offer monthly reflective supervision fortnightly for first 6 weeks. This is in addition to management case supervision undertaken by the team managers.
These sessions are tailored to the learning and development needs of the individual, enabling protected time and space to critically reflect upon case work and embed the principles of best practice.
Underpinned by the Knowledge and Skills Statements for child and family practitioners, ASYE supervision facilitates professional development through a creative approach to adult learning.
Newly-Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs) are encouraged to use reflective models, linking theory to practice as well as being offered guidance around the progression of their written portfolio.
“ASYE Supervision gives me the chance to talk about any personal issues and reflect upon my cases. I am encouraged to use theories to help me unpick the best ways to support families whilst looking at the genuine impact of social work.”
Newly-Qualified Social Worker, Children and Families First Team
Mentoring
In addition to support from one another as a peer group and the training provided by the Social Work Academy, Newly-Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs) are allocated to an experienced consultant social worker who will provide mentoring throughout the year. The mentor/assessor will facilitate regular reviews, undertake direct observations of practice, and provide the overall recommendation on fitness to practice.
Their role also extends to more informal support and Newly-Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs) can expect hands on guidance and assistance from the consultant social worker who is able to undertake joint pieces of work such as attending meetings or supporting with visits to model best practice and promote the developing confidence of our new practitioners.
Monthly Training Days
On the fourth Wednesday of every month, all Newly-Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs) are invited to attend development days. These offer an exciting opportunity to share experiences, develop new knowledge, reflect on practice and learn from one another. Guest speakers are also invited to offer input into specialised areas of practice.
We have recently offered training days around Signs of Safety, Neglect, DASH risk assessment and Domestic Abuse, Child Development, Life Story Work and Trauma Informed Practice.
“I really enjoy the development days. The last session on sexualised trauma was some of the best training I have ever done but equally important is the chance to meet up with my peers and have that supportive time together as we are all on the same journey.”
Newly-Qualified Social Worker, Child Health and Disability Team
Induction
All Newly-Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs) will receive a comprehensive three week face-to-face training induction before joining their team and being allocated cases.
Sessions include:
- child observation
- care leavers and children in care council
- emotional resilience
- contextual safeguarding
- parenting assessments
- children and young people’s mental health
- an introduction to teams across the service.