We're hiring Newly Qualified Social Workers to commence the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment from September 2025.
About Us
We need professionals, like you, who really want to be part of supporting positive change for children, be part of an ambitious Local Authority and make a significant difference to children and families in West Sussex. There has never been a more rewarding time to join us.
Here at West Sussex County Council, we are ambitious for our children and our workforce. We have made great improvements in our service for the children and families in West Sussex over 5 years. You will join us as at a key time on our continuous improvement journey; the service you would be joining has a stable workforce with manageable caseloads and a fully permanent management team. We are proud of the work we do, and we are proud to be a supportive and inclusive employer.
For further information about us and about working in Children's Social Care at West Sussex County Council, please visit Careers in children's social work in West Sussex.
About The Job
Salary: £ 39,639 per annum (including 12.5% market supplement)
(£31,067 before Social Work England registration)
Working Pattern: Full-time
Location: Crawley, Horsham, Burgess Hill, Worthing, Chichester or Bognor Regis
Interviews: 8th, 9th and 10th April 2025
We're hiring Newly Qualified Social Workers to join us and commence the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) from September 2025. West Sussex County Council is proud to have an established programme in growing and developing our own Social Workers by providing the tools, knowledge and skills needed to succeed in this challenging yet highly rewarding career.
In West Sussex, the Family Safeguarding Model enables us to work with families effectively, offering the right support at the right time to reduce the risks to children so that they can stay together, and children can remain safely at home. As a Newly Qualified Social Worker, you will work within one of our Family Safeguarding or Assessment teams. You will have dedicated support and excellent training throughout your ASYE to provide you with the opportunity to develop your skills and knowledge, with an emphasis on reflective practice, to best support children and families in West Sussex.
We need brilliant Newly Qualified Social Workers who inspire and deliver change all around them. That's why we're looking for talented, driven and passionate people like you to come and join us. You will need to be a Social Work graduate with a passion to improve the lives of children in West Sussex. You must be able to work under pressure and have excellent organisation ability. We expect this process to be highly competitive due to reduced vacancies in our teams this year. Therefore, we would recommend entering a considered and strong application with reference to our key skills below. You will also need to be eligible for Social Work England registration and able to be registered by the time the ASYE starts in September 2025.
Experience and Skills
Some of the key skills you will need for the role are as follows:
* Able to analyse and interpret information and data, prioritise needs and formulate plans for intervention and service provision.
* Able to work proactively as a member of the team to make accurate assessments of needs and negotiate and implement effective outcomes.
* Able to work in partnership with carers, colleagues, and external agencies to deliver an effective service.
* Able to communicate clearly and effectively in both written and oral format, including the ability to explain complicated information to others and use negotiation and persuasion skills to encourage others to adopt a course of action.
* Able to recognise limits of own accountability and responsibility and seek appropriate support, advice, and supervision.
* A recognised Social Work qualification e.g. Degree in Social Work, Post Graduate Certificate in Social Work, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent as recognised by the relevant professional body.
* Registration with the relevant professional registration body and maintaining registration with that body.
* Knowledge of theoretical Social Work concepts and practices, with demonstrable examples of dealing with complex issues, for example, attachment, impact of developmental trauma and child development.
* An understanding of motivational interviewing, relational practice, solution-focussed interventions and systemic working, including anti-oppressive, anti-discriminatory and anti-racist practice in social work.
* You will need to be able to travel independently around the county, including to areas that may not be easily accessible by public transport. Pool cars and pool bikes available.
For a full list of experience, qualification and key skills required for the role please refer to the job description attached.
Rewards and Benefits
During your ASYE you can expect a reduced and protected caseload, a dedicated holistic assessor to help oversee your development, regular reflective and group supervision and a dedicated 4-month intensive training pathway. Upon successful completion of your ASYE, your salary will increase to £43,454 per annum (including 12.5% market supplement).
As an employer we recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where you can achieve your full potential, achieve a healthy work-life balance and are rewarded for the work you do.
For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee, please visit our Rewards and Benefits page
Further Information
The reference number for this role is CAFHE05607. Please state this in any correspondence.
For an informal conversation or further information regarding the role, please contact Harriet Long at
To apply, upload your CV and complete the application form explaining the skills and experience you can bring to the role ensuring that any gaps in employment are covered in your CV. Please ensure you have saved the job description attached to the main advert on our website as, once the job has closed, you may not have the opportunity to download again.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check, 5 years referencing and a health check.
West Sussex County Council is an equal opportunities employer committed to promoting an environment that is inclusive and free from all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination and values the diversity of its people. We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and take every possible step to ensure that no individual will be disadvantaged.
For information regarding your eligibility to apply for this role under our Disability or Veteran's Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please visit our help applying for jobs page.
Available documents
* G9 Newly Qualified Social Worker Job Description (1).pdf