Newly Qualified Social Worker, Children’s Service

Job Description

We deeply value our Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs). Each year, we are consistently impressed by the energy, diversity, and contributions they bring to our teams.

Like all local authorities, we are facing financial challenges, but we’ve chosen to view this as an opportunity. Our primary focus is ensuring that children and young people in East Sussex continue to receive the highest standard of care, while we work toward building a financially sustainable model.

A key part of this vision is our ongoing investment in NQSWs. By nurturing and supporting their development, we aim to ensure that the future of social work at East Sussex County Council is driven by people, not processes. After successfully completing your Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) with us, we’ll continue to support your professional growth with an additional year of enhanced training and guidance. Plus, as you move into your second year, you’ll also receive a salary increase. We’re committed to working with you as you grow into a skilled, relationship-based social worker.

This dedication to our social workers, at every level, is a significant factor behind our impressive staff retention rates, one of the best in the country.

Our interview process is conversational, allowing us to explore your values—just as much as we learn about your qualifications. We’ll also take the time to share East Sussex’s values with you and explain how we work.

We offer a wide range of benefits for our social workers, which you can find detailed on our recruitment page.

Check out our videos to hear directly from NQSWs who chose East Sussex for their ASYE and stayed with us.

Our Teams & Locations:

• Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
• Duty and Assessment Teams
• Family and Youth Support Teams
• Children’s Disability Service
• Looked After Children
• Single Point of Advice (SPoA)
• Through Care Team

To apply, simply click the ‘Apply Now’ button above. When submitting your application, please ensure you address how you meet the criteria outlined in the person specification, drawing on relevant work, life experiences, education, or personal interests.

Interview Dates:
Interviews will be held face-to-face on 4th, 5th, and 6th June 2025.

For more information about our teams, visit our recruitment website.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role, so all candidates must have the right to work in the UK.

For inquiries about this role, please contact:
Samantha Cole, Recruitment and Retention Manager (Children’s Services)
Email: Children’sServices.RecruitmentManager@eastsussex.gov.uk

Salary:
£37,667 (Grade 10) rising to £42,752 (Grade 11) upon successful completion of the ASYE. This includes a market supplement, which applies as long as you remain in your team or transfer to another front-line team.
The market supplement will be reviewed in 2026.

Additional Information:

This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check (or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services).

If you’ve lived or worked abroad, we will require evidence of an overseas police check.

If the role is part-time or term-time, your salary will be pro-rata.

Work permits may be obtainable, but approval is subject to meeting the UK Border Agency’s Points-based Immigration System.

If you need sponsorship to work in the UK, please mention it in your application, and we’ll assess your eligibility.
If you require any reasonable adjustments for the interview process due to a disability, please contact the hiring manager using the details above.

We are committed to supporting all candidates throughout the recruitment process.