Kickstart your social work career with Devon County Council!
Permanent
Full Time, 37 Hours Per Week
Are you a Newly Qualified Social Worker ready to make a real difference in people’s lives? Join our Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) programme, starting October 2026, and take the first step into a rewarding career in adult social care.
We are looking for committed and motivated Newly Qualified Social Workers who can bring the following qualities to our forward-thinking Teams:
1. A recognised professional Social Work Qualification (BA/BSC in Social Work, Diploma in Social Work or CQSW) and to hold Social Work England registration by October 2026.
2. Current knowledge and understanding of policies and processes and some experience of working within a social care environment.
3. Passionate, person-centred and eager to learn, you’ll be ready to make that all-important step from education into your chosen profession.
4. Confident at managing conflicts, solving problems and dealing with challenging situations.
5. Proactive and assertive in your approach, you are confident in making best judgements (but you won’t be afraid to ask questions) and building effective working relationships with your professional network.
6. Excellent organisation skills which will enable you to manage your time effectively including prioritising conflicting demands and working effectively under pressure.
7. Can effectively communicate and have good interpersonal skills to enable you to build rapport and relationships with people of all ages and backgrounds.
Briefing Session
We will be holding a briefing session which we encourage you to attend. This session will give you further information on the ASYE programme, the Recruitment process and will also enable you to ask any questions you may have.
The session will be held via Microsoft Teams on the following date:
8. Thursday 29th January 2026 - 10:30am -12:30pm
Once registered you will be emailed a link to join, on the day.
About the ASYE Programme
The ASYE Programme is in place to ensure that all Newly Qualified Social Workers receive dedicated, consistent and effective support in their first year of practice, enabling them to approach their career in social work with confidence.
The 12-month programme offers a positive introduction to social work with adults in Devon and the profession in general. With our previous successes at the Social Worker of the Year Award, it’s a good time to join us.
Joining us as a Newly Qualified Social Worker is a chance to apply what you’ve learnt to real situations, alongside developing your skills and knowledge. You will be supported to practice and develop your skills in assessment and solution-focussed support planning and to apply theory, legislation and policy to your practice.
Your role will include everything from:
9. Completing assessments and reviews
10. Supporting safeguarding enquiries
11. Planning support
12. Working with integrated professionals to manage, negotiate and resolve conflicts.
Most of your time will be carrying out practical social work but this is also a perfect opportunity to train, learn and ask questions.
Why Join Us?
13. We are committed to your continuous professional development, doing all we can to help you to get the most from your career. You will receive excellent support and supervision, with regular opportunities to discuss and reflect on your practice, both with your line manager and peers.
14. Reduced caseloads and 20% Development time (pro rata) to support you in your role.
15. Excellent training opportunities.
16. We offer 26 days annual leave, plus Bank Holidays, rising incrementally to 31 days after 5 years’ service.
17. Flexible working opportunities are available, these include part-time hours, flexitime, compressed working hours and homeworking (this is subject to the needs of the role – please discuss at further at interview)
18. Offer an opportunity to enter a generous Local Government Pension Scheme.
19. As a place to live and work, Devon is hard to beat with top-performing schools, universities, vibrant cities, pretty villages and some of the most scenic coast and countryside in the UK. Living and working in Devon as a Newly Qualified Social Worker has never been more attractive.
20. Please note: At this time, we are unable to consider Visa Sponsorship for this role.
How to apply
To join Devon County Council's ASYE programme in Adults' Services, please click on the 'Apply Now' and complete your application today!
Please highlight on your application form:
21. The areas of Devon in which you would be looking to work
22. Within the Qualifications and Memberships section, please state the date of your Social Work qualification or when you are due to qualify.
Interviews are due to take place on 16th and 18th March 2026.
Internal Applicants, please note: If you are an existing DCC employee, please use your iTrent Employee Self Service (ESS) details to log in and apply.
Please click Apply Now to see the Job Description