Newly Qualified Social Worker (ASYE)

Starting salary for this role is £39,152 (pro rata for part-time colleagues)

This role sits within a well defined pay band, offering clear progression as you grow your career at BCP. Without exception all new starters begin at the entry point of the band, ensuring fairness and consistency across the organisation. Be part of a forward thinking workplace where you’re supported to grow and you can truly #BeTheDifference at BCP.

Internal colleagues are also normally appointed at the bottom of the band, unless moving within the same profession and skill level, where the pay band is the same they can be appointed to the existing pay point.

Learn more in our ‘More than just a job’ brochure on our careers site.

Job Introduction

Newly Qualified Social Worker (ASYE)

Location: Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP), Dorset
Salary: Competitive + Local Government Pension
Contract: Full-time & Part-Time, Permanent

Interview Date: 6th July 2026

Start date: Our next ASYE cohort starts on 7th September 2026

Start your social work career with BCP Council Children’s Social Care and make a real difference in children’s lives. Join us at BCP Council.

We’re proud to have achieved a GOOD Ofsted rating (Dec 2024), and we’re on an exciting improvement journey. We are looking for passionate Newly Qualified Social Workers to join Children’s Services and help us deliver outstanding care and support to the children and families who need us most.

Why BCP?

Learn more in our ‘More than just a job’ brochure on our careers site.

Our workforce says it best:
“Career progression is encouraged within BCP – it’s a rewarding job and something I absolutely love.”
“It’s a lovely place to live and work. Dorset is a wonderful county, and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are vibrant, busy urban areas right on the sea front.”
“I’ve never felt so supported.”

Check out this video: A day in the life of three social workers at BCP Council on Vimeo

About the Role

We currently have three vacancies in the Assessment Team, Child in Care Team and Child, Health and Disability Team and welcome applications from final year social work students about to qualify, or those who have qualified within the last 2 years who have not yet completed their assessed year of employment (ASYE).

Assessment Team

As part of one of our four Assessment Teams, you’ll play a vital role in gaining a clear understanding of children’s circumstances and developing plans that make a meaningful difference. High-quality assessment work is the foundation of strong children’s services, and your expertise will help us deliver this.

In this role, you will complete single assessments within statutory timescales, alongside ongoing assessments from referral through to case closure. You will also facilitate family network meetings, bringing together support systems to promote positive change.

Following assessment, cases may close, step down, or transfer to another team at an agreed point. Social workers are based within four pods, working to a four-week turnaround aligned to statutory timescales. (the 20-day time limit on assessments)

Children in Care Team

As part of one of our Children in Care Teams, you’ll work alongside committed colleagues to ensure that every child receives the highest standard of care and support.

You will work in partnership with carers, families, and partner agencies to develop and review care plans that reflect each child’s needs, strengths, and aspirations.

BCP Council is the corporate parent to around 500 children and young people, including care-experienced young adults aged 18–25. Your role will have a direct and lasting impact on their lives and outcomes.

Child Health and Disability Team (CHAD)

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, including within the Child Health and Disability Team. This team provides longer-term support to children and families where there are significant needs and risks, working with children subject to Child in Need and Child Protection plans, and in some cases those at the early stages of care.

You will work with children who have complex and significant disabilities, using a restorative practice framework and a range of interventions to promote safety, reduce risk, and improve outcomes.

Key areas of focus include co-production with families, safety planning, building strong relationships with children, early permanence planning, and, where necessary, legal intervention to ensure children are protected.

All teams work flexibly across the BCP area.

What We’re Looking For

BCP Council are looking for dedicated and compassionate Newly Qualified Social Workers to join our ASYE programme in Children’s Services.

At BCP, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to continuing building a diverse and inclusive workforce. Your unique experiences and perspectives will help us continue delivering outstanding care to children in our community.

If you are reflective, pro-active, and resilient, have the desire to make a real difference and ensure children and their voices are at the heart of everything you do, Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council could be the place for you. We are seeking graduates with experience of working with children, young people, and families, ideally in a final statutory placement, who want to extend their knowledge and skills to meet the Practice Standards for Child and Family Social Workers. It is an exciting time here in BCP Children’s Services and you have the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of our most vulnerable children and young people.

We are now looking to recruit our next cohort of newly qualified social workers to join our well regarded ASYE programme in September 2026.

You’ll also need to be able to travel across the BCP area.

What We Offer

Our BCP Council ASYE programme provides a year of support and learning designed to enable you to build the very best foundations for your future career in front line social work with vulnerable children, young people and families in Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole. In their recent inspection, Ofsted recognised that ‘The workforce development service trains cohorts of newly qualified staff effectively…’ As part of the programme each newly qualified social worker can expect:

• A comprehensive Induction
• Mentoring from an allocated ASYE Assessor whose an experienced social worker to support your growth during this assessed year
• A reduced caseload to reflect your level of learning
• 12 protected study days over the course of the year
• Monthly group learning and development days
• Monthly reflective supervision (fortnightly for the first 6 weeks) in addition to management supervision
• Co-allocations with experience practitioners and shadowing opportunities
• 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
• Flexible working arrangements in refurbished offices
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Staff network groups

What our newly qualified social workers tell us:

“The ASYE team contains knowledgeable people who offer the support and vision to get us fresh out of university to confidently handling work independently. The ASYE programme has showed me that you never stop learning. I am encouraged to apply my learning practically in a safe and supported environment”

“I believed that the ASYE programme at BCP has helped to build my confidence as a practitioner and given me a strong start in social work. Doing your ASYE with BCP, you will not be short of learning opportunities to develop a variety of skills…’

Ready to Join Us?

If you’re reflective, proactive, resilient, and passionate about putting children’s voices at the heart of everything you do, we’d love to hear from you.

For an informal discussion, contact Hayley Heasford, Senior Consultant Social Worker @hayley.heasford2@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

Apply today and help us make a difference.

Please note, this role is not eligible for any type of visa sponsorship, and we can only consider applicants with existing right to work in the UK.

At BCP Council, inclusion is more than a promise – it’s how we work.

We’re committed to providing a fully inclusive recruitment process ensuring every candidate and colleague has the support and reasonable adjustments they need to thrive.

From the moment you apply, through the recruitment process and throughout your career with us, we’ll be here to listen and provide the help and support you need.

It’s why we’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer – and why you can trust that we’ll always do our best to make your experience positive and accessible.

If you require any reasonable adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please let us know when you apply or contact us directly – we’re here to help. For further information on the accessibility support we can offer please see here: Preparing for your interview | Working for BCP

About BCP Council

BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes over 15 miles of beautiful world-renowned coastline. We can offer career defining roles to transform and improve services. By working with us, you can help deliver a vision of a thriving, world-class, prosperous and inclusive place for generations to come.

Our Benefits

A Place to Thrive – Join BCP Council

At BCP Council, we’re not just building a workforce— we’re transforming how we recognise and reward our people.

Check out our attractive enhanced benefits and find out more about the new Pay and Reward package at Employee benefits | Working for BCP

Be the difference - Join an organisation that values you

More About us | Working for BCP

DBS

BCP Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the community and expects all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Applicants to this post will be required to complete the appropriate level of Disclosure & Barring Service Check. Please refer to the Role Profile for more details.