Overview
Start your social work career where you can truly make a difference. At East Sussex County Council, we’ll support you every step of the way as you transition from learning to practice. With a structured ASYE programme, dedicated Professional Educator, and opportunities to grow, you’ll help transform lives while building a rewarding future for yourself.
About the ASYE and Our People
Hi, I’m Katie and I’m the Principal Social Worker for Children’s Services. I’m always pleased to welcome new NQSWs to East Sussex. It’s a route I took myself, but more importantly, every year our NQSWs bring fresh ideas, energy and diversity to the service. Our senior staff often started through the ASYE programme. The ASYE programme is about you, not us, and we focus on open conversations at interview. If you’d like to chat before applying, I’m happy to make time. You can also join one of our online open evenings to learn more about a career with us.
I value the people I work with and there’s always opportunity to grow. On paper, my career looks traditional—from NQSW to Principal Social Worker—but that’s only part of the story. Opportunities exist to work in specialist services and develop our Connected Families intervention Practitioner service to bring skilled help for families as early and as quickly as possible. These opportunities are what make working in East Sussex different.
What we offer
Social work is rewarding but challenging, and we recognise the importance of supporting our staff. We offer an excellent wellbeing programme, great benefits and a clear career pathway. We want our staff to achieve their goals and feel valued. Interviews will take place face to face on week commencing 27 April 2026 at County Hall, Lewes.
Role Details
Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) recruitment event: Thursday 19 March 2026 from 5.00–6.00pm (online event, Microsoft Teams). To apply, follow the ‘Apply Now’ button above and upload your CV and a Supporting Statement. We will use your Supporting Statement to shortlist please address how you meet all the criteria in the person specification, drawing on any relevant work/life experience, education, or personal interests.
Salary: £38,872 (Grade 10) rising to £44,120 (Grade 11) on successful completion of ASYE (includes market supplement reviewed annually on the basis that you remain in your team or move to another frontline team).
Teams and Locations
* Multi-agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
* Duty and Assessment Teams
* Family and Youth Support Teams
* Children’s Disability Service
* Looked After Children
* Single Point of Advice (SPoA)
* Through Care Team
* Fostering
* Adoption
How to Apply and Shortlisting
To apply for this role, please follow the ‘Apply Now’ button above and upload your CV and a Supporting Statement. We will be using your Supporting Statement to shortlist, so please address how you meet all the criteria in the person specification, drawing on any relevant work/life experience, education, or personal interests. Please download the Job Description and Person Specification for more information. For guidance on how to write an application see our how to apply page and our statement on the use of AI.
Interviews and Recruitment
Interviews will take place face to face on week commencing 27 April 2026 at County Hall, Lewes. Candidates who meet certain criteria are given priority when we shortlist. See our priority status page for details. We offer a diverse range of benefits to help and support you during your employment. More information can be found on our benefits page.
Contact and Additional Information
For more information regarding this role please contact Samantha Cole, Recruitment and Retention Manager (Children’s Services) via email: Children’sServices.RecruitmentManager@eastsussex.gov.uk. This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services. For overseas police check requirements, please see GOV.UK guidance. If you require sponsorship to work in the UK, please indicate this in your application. If you require any reasonable adjustments, due to disability, to enable you to participate fully in the process please contact the hiring manager.
About Us and Ethics
We are committed to a diverse, inclusive workplace and to creating an environment of stability and security. This posting adheres to equal opportunity employment principles and relevant guidance.
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