Newly Qualified Social Worker Visa Sponsorship UK

Job Description

Launch Your Social Work Career with Portsmouth City Council

About Us

Portsmouth City Council is a forward-thinking local authority dedicated to creating positive change for our community. Our work is shaped by core values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, and a genuine focus on people. These principles guide everything we do, helping both the council thrive and our team members grow personally and professionally. Discover more about our values and how they shape our culture on our careers portal.

Embark on Your ASYE Journey in Children’s Social Care
Are you a newly qualified (or soon-to-qualify) social worker eager to make a tangible, lasting impact on children and families?

Portsmouth City Council’s Children’s Social Care service offers an outstanding environment to complete your Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE). We are a supportive, innovative, and high-performing team where your professional development is a top priority.

Our approach centers on building strong, relational connections with children and families. We draw on restorative practices, family safeguarding principles, and a trauma-informed lens to deliver compassionate, effective support. If you thrive on meaningful relationships, reflective practice, and continuous learning, you’ll find a welcoming home here to launch and grow your career.

Proud of Our Achievements

Ofsted rated our children’s services “Good” overall in May 2023, with an “Outstanding” judgment specifically for the experiences and progress of children who need help and protection. Inspectors highlighted Portsmouth as a true centre for learning, praising our comprehensive workforce development — including the Stronger Futures Academy  which equips practitioners with the tools and support to excel.

What You will Experience in Your ASYE Year

You will join either our Family Safeguarding & Support Teams or our Building Your Futures team (working with children in our care). From day one, you’ll receive structured, high-quality support designed to help you succeed:

• A thorough two-week induction to the council, your team, and our practice models
• A dedicated workplace assessor (a supportive team leader) familiar with your daily work
• A carefully managed, protected caseload with a monitored 10% reduction to allow focused learning
• Formal progress reviews at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months
• Access to rich learning resources, practice tools, and specialist training

Through our Stronger Futures ASYE Academy, you’ll benefit from:

• Sessions exploring the child’s journey and amplifying their voice
• Practice-focused learning and training in our specific models
• Input from both internal experts and external specialists
• Tailored development opportunities
• Action learning sets, wellbeing-focused sessions, and group reflective supervision

We are deeply committed to your growth:

• Direct access to the ASYE Coordinator and Academy team
• Regular supervision (personal, family/child-focused, group, and peer)
• Support to build your professional identity and inter-agency connections
• Resources from Research in Practice
• Skill-building in high-quality assessments and report writing
• Full access to Portsmouth City Council’s attractive employee benefits package
• Clear pathways for progression after your ASYE year

For full details on the programme, visit the Stronger Futures portal here: https://strongerfutures.co.uk/ASYE

Who We are Looking For

We welcome applications from enthusiastic Newly Qualified Social Workers who:

• Hold (or expect to soon hold) a recognised social work qualification (BA, MA, BSc, degree apprenticeship, or equivalent) approved by Social Work England
• Are passionate about deepening their understanding of theory, legislation, and evidence-based best practice
• Recognise the complex challenges facing children and families today
• Enjoy working collaboratively with families and multi-agency partners
• Have a solid grasp of safeguarding principles
  Communicate clearly, confidently, and sensitively with children, families, and professionals
• Take pride in accurate, high-standard recording and report writing
• Balance high support with constructive challenge, while championing anti-discriminatory practice
• Stay calm, creative, and solution-focused even in challenging situations
• Are reflective, compassionate, and proactive about their own wellbeing
• Can analyse complex information to support sound decision-making

Essential: A full UK driving licence, as you’ll need to travel across Portsmouth for home visits and meetings.

Download and review the full job profile (attached to the advert)  especially the Who is the Person section  as your personal statement must directly address these points with examples from your experience, studies, or transferable skills.

How to Apply & Key Dates

• Early applications are encouraged  we may interview and close the vacancy before the advertised date if we receive strong applications.
• You can apply while completing your qualification; just note your expected completion/registration date.
• The ASYE programme starts in September 2026, with your ASYE beginning from your Social Work England registration or employment start date (whichever is later).
• Interviews scheduled for February, March, and April 2026.

Sponsorship

We may offer Skilled Worker visa sponsorship for eligible overseas candidates already living in the UK with a recognised social work qualification and Social Work England registration. This is assessed during recruitment  no resettlement support is available.

Informal Chat

We’d love to hear from you! Email ASYE@portsmouthcc.gov.uk with your questions and contact details for a prompt, friendly response.

Our Fair & Transparent Recruitment Process

• Applications are anonymised during shortlisting to focus purely on merit.
• Your personal statement is vital use it to show how you meet the Who is the Person criteria with clear examples.
• Without detail here, applications are unlikely to progress.
• Explain any career gaps in the last 5 years (required for safeguarding roles).
• Right to Work in the UK must be proven before any offer.
• We are a Disability Confident employer and signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant. We aim to interview candidates meeting minimum criteria under these commitments (though high application volumes may limit this). See more on our equality, diversity, and inclusion page via the careers portal.

Safeguarding Commitment

We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff share this responsibility. This role requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (Standard or Enhanced) and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Read our DBS privacy notice before applying.

Explore more about life and benefits at Portsmouth City Council on our Careers Portal homepage: Careers Portal – Find jobs with Portsmouth City Council

Need application support? Contact recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616 800.

We look forward to hearing from you and supporting the start of your rewarding social work career!