£2000 ‘will support new social workers’

Every newly qualified social worker could benefit from £2,000 to boost their learning and development, under plans announced by the children’s minister Tim Loughton and care services minister Paul Burstow.

The money is meant to help employers of newly qualified social workers to operate an Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE), which will replace the Newly Qualified Social Worker (NQSW) framework from September 2012. The cash should also go towards providing regular support for newly qualified social workers and assessing them in their first year of employment.

“We are committed to improving the quality and availability of training for all social workers in order that the most vulnerable children and adults in our communities receive the best possible support,” Loughton said. “I am confident employers will use the funding we have announced to give newly qualified social workers a great start to their careers.”

Burstow added: “This programme will make a practical difference to newly qualified social workers by ensuring that they are supported in their first job and will therefore have a better chance of becoming really good social workers.

“The aim of the ASYE is to help newly qualified social workers develop their skills, improve their knowledge and strengthen their professional confidence. It will provide them with access to regular support and ongoing assessment by their employer.”