Here's an overview of our assessed and supported year in employment (ASYE) programme and important information about assessment and support, requirements and expectations of the ASYE.
The ASYE is a National Skills for Care programme.
Please read this information carefully and raise any questions with your ASYE assessor and / or practice development lead (PDL) for your area.
We look forward to working with you and hope that you enjoy your employment with us.
The professional development team (PDT) and practice development leads (PDL)
1. Equality, diversity and inclusion
The ASYE programme ensures equality of access to support and assessment. Any special needs will be identified, and action taken to improve access.
The programme will actively promote a positive approach to equal opportunities and diversity through workshop content and attitude towards workers.
Any concerns regarding access or ideas for improvement should be addressed to the PDT / PDL and ASYE co-ordinators.
2. Aim and objectives
The ASYE is a one-year programme, or pro rata if you're part time, designed to provide support for newly qualified social workers (NQSWs) to develop their capability and strengthen professional confidence. It's expected that you'll consolidate your learning from your degree and develop knowledge and experience in an employment setting.
It will provide access to regular focussed support and development, setting out levels of practice standards that are expected of you by the end of your first year in employment.
It's an assessed and supported year rather than a development year. The programme assumes you have the knowledge and skills necessary to be social a worker. The aim of our programme is to help you make the transition from being a student to professional social worker so that you can:
- function as a social worker at the ASYE level, and beyond
- work as a team member and employee of Derbyshire County Council
- develop emotional resilience as a professional
- work according to the Knowledge and Skills Statements (KSS) level for a social worker at the end of your ASYE, and the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) at the ASYE level descriptor
By the end of the ASYE:
- demonstrate you have met the KSS and PCFs and practice according to these for adults and the children and families that we work with
- critically reflect on the direct observations, at least 3 throughout the year, and your learning from these
- produce a professional development record, which may be informed by the ASYE Professional Development Plans
- critically reflect on your progress and development
- demonstrate the ability to function as an independent learner
3. Support and incentives we offer
On being notified of NQSW starters, the PDT send out registration information and guide you to the relevant ASYE documentation on the Derbyshire Learning Online portal (DLO). You'll be allocated a PDL who will provide guidance and professional support throughout the ASYE.
Your ASYE programme will commence once we arrange a meeting, with your workplace assessor and PDL (as soon as you have your Social Work England Registration). This is usually within the first month, and providing the Support and Assessment Agreement (SAA) meeting has taken place and relevant documents are completed and signed. This is to ensure that all the necessary support is in place to facilitate successful assessment throughout your year.
There is an expectation that NQSWs workload will be protected, and you'll be able to develop your skills and knowledge within a context of increasing responsibility and increasingly complex interventions over the year.
It's also expected that your line manager and ASYE assessor will develop a plan to increase your responsibility and the complexity of work you undertake during the year. This should be monitored as part of the normal supervision process.
Supervision
Assessment is embedded within supervision, and you should keep a record of your supervision dates. A professional development plan is developed and updated at each review, throughout the year, in agreement with yourself, assessor and PDL. This may also feed into your professional development review (PDR) plan which all employees complete annually.
All supervision sessions should include the opportunity for reflection and critical analysis of practice alongside caseload and workload management, line management and organisational accountability and personal development in the context of the Standards for Employers and Supervision Framework.
The supervision process will feed into the ASYE 3, 6, 9 and 12-month reviews, which should also provide opportunities for a more formal reflection and analysis of practice.
Managing your time
The PDL will direct you to ASYE workshops you should attend on DLO.
As you make the transition from student to autonomous social worker you'll be able to utilise the reflective and analytical skills that you developed on your degree course, with guidance from your assessor or the PDL.
You'll need to prioritise time to the ASYE programme and ensure that case work does not dominate the experience for you. Allow time for independent research and reading to enhance your development.
All adult learners must take responsibility for their own learning. Your assessor and PDL will be able to offer more guidance should you need it.
The ASYE training aids you to develop learning and critical reflection on practice and offer a unique opportunity to:
- reflect on practice with peers
- share dilemmas and challenges in a safe space
- engage in self-directed learning to build your confidence and skills
- specialist services will also join, ensuring you gain exposure to a broad range of expertise
What we offer NQSWs
We offer:
- pay progression upon successful completion of the ASYE in agreement with your team manager
- a Skills for Care certificate of achievement
- bespoke training/workshop opportunities in a safe space to allow learning and reflection on practice
- monthly wellbeing sessions facilitated by the PDT
- enhanced monthly support sessions facilitated by the PDLs for individual areas
- individual support from PDLs to oversee your progression and learning and ensure this meets individual needs
- quarterly reviews to ensure NQSWs remain on track with the ASYE completion
- 10% protected development time
- protected case load
Within your team you'll be offered all or some of the following:
- team reflective supervision - these help you to process complex cases, share insights, and discuss challenges in a supportive environment, and encourage critical thinking and collaborative learning
- mentoring / buddying opportunities
- one-to-one skills development sessions - these are for additional support to ensure you develop your practice at your own pace
Our support and benefits:
- generous annual leave scheme (25 days increasing to 30 days after 5 years' service), ensuring a healthy work-life balance
- flexitime scheme - up to 2 days flexi-leave every 4 weeks (pro rata for part-time employees), subject to service needs
- Local Government Pension Scheme - providing financial security
- wellbeing support framework - includes occupational health physician services, physiotherapy, CBT, and in-house counselling
- employee wellbeing support - fast track physiotherapy, confidential psychological support services, employee assistance programme, and 'Wisdom' app
- training and development - opportunities for professional qualifications and ongoing training
- cycle to work scheme - promoting a healthy lifestyle
- electric / plug-in hybrid vehicle salary sacrifice scheme, encouraging environmentally friendly commuting options
- Our Derbyshire Rewards - a package of benefits and discounts
- and much more
Why choose us:
- professional growth - we're passionate about helping you grow as a social worker through continuous learning and development opportunities
- supportive environment - receive the guidance you need, whether from your assessor, mentor, PDL, or colleagues
- Social Work England registration fee reimbursement
- career progression pathway
- range of employee network groups, including BAME, LGBT+, disability, neurodiversity, and women's groups.
- a focus on wellbeing, with free health services, discounts, and the opportunity for personal development, we ensure you feel valued both professionally and personally
We welcome applications from qualified social workers, with dedicated pathways.
Contact us
If you'd like more information contact: