Rodeo
Get started

Norfolk County Council

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

Dereham
£38.5k/yr
Posted 3 days ago
Sign up to applySee more jobs like this
Get notified of more jobs like this · No spam, ever

How your CV stacks up

1Upload CV
2Analyse CV
3Improve CV

Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role

?%

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 https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50301680

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.

Reasons to use Rodeo

I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?

Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.

Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.

Start with a chat, not a search bar

Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.

P

Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme

PwC·London, UK
£35,000/yr

Why you're a good match

Strong

Your economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.

See breakdown
Save jobNot relevant
View details

It searches the market for you

Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.

Why you're a good match

You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.

See breakdown
Strong

Experience fit

Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.

See breakdown
Strong

Only hits

No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.

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 ruth.pilch@norfolk.gov.uk

WHO CARES? WE DO. Join us. We're recruiting social workers now at Norfolk County Council. TV AD – YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gj6Sk8SyFko

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.

Get help with your application

Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.

Get help applying for this job

To view further information regarding the vacancy please click on the links below:

Job Description and Person Specification https://nccjoblibrary-buhfawbxbvb6brdj.a03.azurefd.net/2457_Newly%20Qualified%20Social%20Worker-Level%201%20(NIPE)_CHS.docx

Reward and Benefits https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/article/42628/Rewards-and-benefits

Recruitment Information for Candidates https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/article/42644/Introduction

You can also find information on our Terms and Conditions https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/jobs-training-and-volunteering/work-at-norfolk-county-council/vacancies/recruitment-information-for-candidates here.

We have miles of beautiful coastline and our unique Broads, thriving market towns and a city with a proud cultural heritage. Our economy is growing and driven by innovation in a number of sectors, including energy and food. We also have ambitious plans for new housing and a building programme for schools across Norfolk. Our county a great place to live, work and visit, and is an excellent environment for businesses to start, grow and innovate.

We are the main local authority for Norfolk providing services countywide to more than 850,000 Norfolk residents. We take the lead in critical policy areas, working with 84 elected Members responsible for the strategic local government services in the county.

We provide a high quality service through involving people who use our services to shape and comment on them and by promoting efficiency and innovation.

We work in partnership with local businesses, voluntary organisations and other local authorities such as District and Parish Councils to provide the people of Norfolk with excellent services.

Trusted by 25,000+ job seekers

“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”

Jessica, London

Get help applying for this job

Location

St Withburga Ln, Dereham NR19 1FD, UK

Sign up to applySee more jobs like this