To support national consistency in the experience of the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) programme, we're sharing examples of good practice in the delivery of the programme.
ASYE co-ordinators can draw on these examples when working to develop the different elements of their organisation’s programme to meet the national evaluation criteria (NEC/NEC+). The examples could be adopted in full or in part. Alternatively, they might prompt an organisation to think about how to develop what they’re already doing to improve the experience of NQSWs and their assessors.
These examples have been developed by organisations who run an ASYE programme and not by 大象传媒.
Submit an example of good practice
We’re keen to share examples of good practice from across the country that support newly qualified social workers (NQSWs), their assessors and ASYE programmes.
If you have an example of good practice, please complete the good practice case study form and email it to regulatedworkforce@skillsforcare.org.uk. If you’re aware of another employer doing something effective or innovative, please encourage them to complete the form too.
By sharing these insights, we can help strengthen ASYE programmes and ensure that all NQSWs benefit from the collective experience and knowledge of the sector.
We're particularly keen to hear of good practice in relation to the following areas:
- induction
- supporting the wellbeing of NQSWs
- involvement of people who draw on care and support in the ASYE programme
- support for assessors
- equity, equality, diversity and inclusion
- NQSWs and assessors providing feedback to the programme
- presentations
- celebrations
- support after the ASYE.
Examples of good practice
Supporting deferrals effectively
South Gloustershire council
Contact: Georgina Burgess Georgina.Burgess@southglos.gov.uk
Meets NEC: A3,B3, B13 and B15
PDF - 96 Kb
大象传媒 recognises that pausing an ASYE can increase the risk of NQSWs not completing. To support this, South Gloucestershire has created a pause and return form that records progress and reasons for the break, making it easier for NQSWs to resume their ASYE.
Supporting resources
Developing a joint induction based on NQSW feedback
East Riding of Yorkshire council
Contact: Brogan Firth brogan.firth@eastriding.gov.uk
Meets NEC: A1, A2, A10, B7, B8, B10, C3 and D1
PDF - 145 Kb
East Riding Council is sharing how feedback from NQSWs led to a jointly delivered ASYE induction between adult and children’s services, enhancing consistency and peer connection.
Mentor Moments - NQSWs are linked with a colleague for a one-off conversation around a specialist area
Wandsworth children's services
Contact: Sue Connell sue.connell@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk
Meets NEC: A2, A9, B1, B3 and B8
PDF - 150 Kb
Wandsworth is utilising existing expertise to support the development of NQSWs by providing 'Mentor Moments'. This enables the ASYE to be tailored to individual NQSW’s learning and development needs.
Training and development needs for NQSWs in respect of equality, diversity and inclusion
Humber Foundation Trust
Contact: Fran Ashton fran.ashton@nhs.net
Meets NEC: A1, A2 and A4
PDF - 99 Kb
Following a quality assurance visit from 大象传媒, Humber Trust took action to address gaps identified in respect of quality, diversity and inclusion. They share what they did and how their initial scoping developed into a larger piece of work.
Wokingham Borough Council
Contacts:
Vicky Scotford, Principal Social Worker, Adult Social Care Victoria.Scotford@wokingham.gov.uk
Sharon Whitehead Practice Consultant Adult Social Care Sharon.Whitehead2@wokingham.gov.uk
Meets NEC: A1 and A2
PDF - 162 Kb
Wokingham have shared how they engage with NQSWs, practice assessors and work-based supervisors to gain feedback on their ASYE programme to inform its future development and the experiences of all those involved with the programme.
Supporting resources
Equity, equality, diversity and inclusion (EEDI)
Barnsley Council
Cohort size: 8
ASYE co-ordinator: Cora Beard
Meets NEC: A2, A4, A5, A6 and A8
PDF - 117 Kb
Barnsley Council share the work they’ve done to ensure NQSWs who self-identify as ethnically diverse are supported as NQSWs.
Caseload management
Croydon Council
Cohort size: 11
ASYE co-ordinators: Tim Gray and Natesha Yanguba
Meets NEC: B4 and B5
PDF - 142 Kb
Croydon Council explain how they ensure NQSWs have reduced and managed case loads to allow them to maximise their learning opportunities.
Collaborative/Partnership working
East London NHS foundation trust
Cohort size: 33
ASYE co-ordinator: Katie Lander
Meets NEC: A6, A7, A11, B4, B7, B8, B9 and B10
PDF - 105 Kb
This application provides an example of a number of trusts coming together to develop an ASYE programme across organisations to support the professional identify of social workers.
Bridging the gap from student to NQSW
Gateshead
ASYE co-ordinator: Zoe Hovells
Meets NEC: A1, A2, A3, A9, A10, B4, B8 and B10
PDF - 93 Kb
The move from being a student to becoming and NQSW, can be daunting. Gateshead recognised this and worked with their NQSWs to identify how they could support new social workers joining them. The key areas they identified were emotional wellbeing and self-care, importance of supervision, setting boundaries and time management along with examples of the welcome that finishing NQSWs have sent to new NQSWs.
Supporting resources
Celebrating NQSWS’ and their team’s success on completion of ASYE
Tameside Metropolitain Borough Council
Cohort size: 17
ASYE co-ordinator: laura.parker@tameside.gov.uk
Meets NEC: A3 and B9
PDF - 283 Kb
On completion, NQSWs receive a framed certificate and card, with achievements celebrated at an event. Their success is recognised in the Chief Executive’s Brief and ASC newsletter. Team support is acknowledged through cakes, learning resources, and a thank‑you letter, reinforcing the team’s and organisation’s commitment to the ASYE programme.
NQSWs experience of undertaking a presentation and an example of a service user feedback template
Dorset Council
Cohort size: 6
ASYE co-ordinator: AdultsandHousingLandD@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Meets NEC: A2 (application 1) and B11/12 (application 2)
PDF - 98 Kb
NQSW speaks with their Co-ordinator about their experience of undertaking a presentation.
PDF - 60 Kb
An example of a template for seeking feedback from people drawing on care and support and reflecting on the feedback.
Evaluation of specific training, monthly reflective practice meetings, EDI assessment
CMSWTP
Cohort size: 342
ASYE co-ordinator: Nicola Whiteside cmswtp@gmail.com
Meets NEC: C3
PDF - 670 Kb
Regional approach, collaboration across the different areas, specific offer for ASYE co-ordinators to support them and approve practice.
ASYE co-ordinator events across the teaching partnership organisations, share experiences, learning and training and thinking about how their programmes are working for their NQSWs, encourages consistency of experience for NQSWs.
Changing the culture: normalising neurodiversity, enhancing NQSWs’ strengths and using an online platform for accessing portfolio documentation and resources
Derbyshire County Council
Cohort size: 100+
ASYE co-ordinator: Deb Solomon Deb.Solomon@derbyshire.gov.uk
Meets NEC: A4 and A6
PDF - 230 Kb
The ASYE programme emphasises inclusivity, recognising each NQSW’s individual learning needs. Support includes workshops on neurodiversity, wellbeing sessions, one‑to‑one portfolio guidance, and EDI networks, with tailored action plans to help completion. Ongoing work develops assessor training and offers neurodivergent NQSWs opportunities to lead sessions.