ASYE Social Worker, Children's Services

ASYE Social Worker, Children’s Social Care

At Wokingham our ASYE Social Workers are valued and invested in by means of supportive management, and a dedicated inhouse ASYE Programme; which is run by our Principal Social Worker and Practice Consultants.

Having an inhouse run ASYE Programme allows us to take a unique approach in how our newly qualified Social Workers are supported and coached to become confident and well rounded professionals, with sound knowledge and expertise in a range of different safeguarding scenarios.

Due to our unique inhouse run ASYE programme; we are able to consider applications from individuals who have already started their ASYE journey and are looking for an alternative Local Authority to complete their year with.

ASYE Social Workers at Wokingham can expect to benefit from the following programme highlights (on an individual basis):

• Individual bespoke learning plan for the year
• Three review points during your year, designed to develop your caseload at an appropriate rate
• Monthly reflective supervision (focussing on your personal development) with your dedicated Practice Consultant (with additional support available to suit your unique requirements).
• Monthly ‘check-in’ session, to learn about new processes

We believe in creating a supportive environment amongst your fellow social workers, to build this culture of peer support we also provide:

• Monthly ASYE group mornings
• Monthly ASYE group supervisions and case discussions
• Shadowing/buddy-up scheme across the teams
• Team-based group supervisions
• Practice model training events

As an ASYE at Wokingham you will find an environment where your practice can flourish and learning and development is promoted. Many of our current Social Workers, Assistant Team Managers and Team Managers started with us as ASYEs. Wokingham Children’s Services are proud to have successfully retained over 80% of our ASYE workforce over the past 5 years.

Quotes from our ASYE’s:

“Wokingham ASYE has been a very positive experience for me. Right from the beginning at the recruitment stage you are made feel so welcome and safe. This warm approachable and supportive feeling is carried on throughout the ASYE year by the Principal Social Worker and Practice Consultants.”

“The ASYE program in Wokingham does exactly what it says on the tin. As a newly qualified social worker you are supported to grow, learn and develop without feeling overwhelmed. With an induction that has continued to go from strength to strength over the 6 years since I started as a student and with a management group that listen to feedback and implement positive change to the program as a result of this.”

“The best decision I have made in my Social Work career is joining the Wokingham ASYE programme. The Wokingham ASYE programme provided me with the support and security I needed to explore and develop my skills and knowledge at a pace that I felt in control of, while still providing the challenge I needed to progress.”

You can listen to what our Social Workers have to say about working at Wokingham via this link: What's it like working in Children's Social Care at Wokingham Borough Council? (youtube.com) And if you want to hear what our culture feels like from the top, here’s a clip of our Director of Children’s Services talking about Wokingham’s Children’s Services: Emma Cockerell talks all things Wokingham (YouTube)

Our 2025 ASYE positions will be placed across our Children’s Services Teams. We are keen to hear from those that are flexible and dynamic who want to achieve the best outcomes for our children and young people.

Closing date: Bank holiday Monday 5^th May at 11pm

Interviews will take place face-to-face in our Wokingham offices on: 21^st, 22^nd and 23^rd May. In person at our offices in Wokingham.

For further information, or an informal conversation with regards to this vacancy, please contact: Alix Williams, Recruitment & Retention Specialist for Children’s Social Care alix.williams@wokingham.gov.uk

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.

WBC is an equal opportunities employer.