Newly Qualified Social Worker (NQSW) Social Worker - Level 1 (NIPE) – Children’s Services

• Working Hours: 37
• Salary: Scale I - K £34,000 - £46,000
• Contract Type: Permanent Contract
• Job Role Profile Link: https://nccjoblibrary-buhfawbxbvb6brdj.a03.azurefd.net/2457_Newly%20Qualified%20Social%20Worker-Level%201%20(NIPE)_CHS.docx
• Location Area: Countywide

Newly Qualified Social Worker | 2457 | Permanent Contract (pending successful completion of ASYE) | up to 37 hours per week | Starting Salary £38,510 per annum, pro rata | Grade I | Norfolk

Starting your Social Work career? Join Norfolk Institute for Practice Excellence (NIPE) for a supported start.
Join an Outstanding local authority and be part of one of the strongest children’s services in the country. Following our recent Ofsted inspection, inspectors found that children in Norfolk receive “consistently strong services that impact positively on their and their families’ lives.” They described our practice as “child centred” and highlighted a culture where “children and care leavers come first.”
Read Ofsted's Inspection of Norfolk Children's Services March 2026 report

You may have just finished or are still completing your Social Work course or you may have completed your qualification a short time ago but never worked in a statutory social work role. Norfolk Children's Services are recruiting those who have not yet completed their Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE)/Early Career Development Programme (ECDP) into our highly successful Norfolk Institute for Practice Excellence (NIPE) programme of support.
To support you to make the best start in your career as a social worker in Norfolk Children’s Services we offer the following enhanced level of support alongside the national ASYE/ ECDP programme through our Norfolk Institute for Practice Excellence (NIPE):

• A reduced caseload that builds over the year in terms of case numbers and complexity so you gain a good foundation and range of skills.
• A dedicated Practice Consultant, an experienced senior Social Worker, to support you with reflective supervision, learning groups and tailored 1-1 support throughout your first two years, as well as your Team Manager.
• The chance to learn from the more experienced social workers in your team through group supervision and co-working more complex cases.
• Protected development time and training throughout your ASYE/ ECDP, as well as the benefits of our Teaching Partnership with the University of East Anglia – you can start to build modules towards a fully funded optional MA in Advanced Social Work.
• You can also join us as a Social Work Assistant in advance of being registered with Social Work England so that you can gain experience and paid employment (at a lower pay grade).
• Continued support through the second year of practice to suit your particular needs.
• A regionally competitive starting salary of £38,510 as a newly qualified social worker. Progression to Level 2 and increase in salary to £41,177 at the end of your ASYE/ECDP assessment point.

We are proud of our social workers and our commitment to supporting newly qualified social workers. We have a proven track record of investment in newly qualified workers and are determined to help you to become the best social worker that you can be.
We will expect a lot from you but in return you can also expect a lot from us. We want those who come through our programme to remain with us and to continue to develop and progress providing a high-quality service to children in Norfolk.
Young people are at the heart of our practice at Norfolk County Council. They have established key principles for their ideal worker to help them flourish. Please ensure you read these requirements carefully and apply only if you can fully commit to them.
For an informal discussion with the NIPE Team Manager, Ruth Pilch, regarding our programme please email [email protected]
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Please note: You will be required to travel as part of your role so it is essential you have a current UK driving licence and a vehicle before you start. If you hold a provisional licence but have not yet passed your test you are welcome to apply and will be interviewed if shortlisted. If successful at interview you will be offered a conditional place with a delayed start date to allow you to pass your driving test. We can delay your start date for a maximum of up to six months. If you do not pass your test within six months of your interview date, your conditional offer will be withdrawn.
To view further information regarding the vacancy please click on the links below:

Job Description and Person Specification

Reward and Benefits

Recruitment Information for Candidates

You can also find information on our Terms and Conditions here.

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