Children's Social Worker New Grad - Children and Young People's Service

• Suffolk County Council  
• Address: Various locations in Suffolk - Hybrid and Community based in either Bury St Edmunds IP33 3YU, Ipswich IP1 5PF or Lowestoft NR33 0EQ  
• Salary: £35,570 per annum, rising to £38,510 per annum (pro rata for part time) upon successful completion of the ASYE (Assessed and Supported Year in Employment) programme
• Plus, a retention payment of £1,500 increasing to £4,000 (pro rata for part time) upon successful completion of the ASYE (Assessed and Supported Year in Employment) programme 
• Hours: Full time or part time hours available
• Contract: Permanent

At Suffolk County Council (SCC), we believe that when our people grow, our communities thrive. That is why we are looking for a passionate Newly Qualified Social Workers, to join our Children and Young People's service.

Here, you will find more than just a job, you will discover opportunities to develop your skills, make a meaningful impact, and reimagine what's possible. 

Join a profession that changes lives. 

As a social worker, you will be part of a regulated, highly skilled team making a positive impact every day. While supporting children and their families, you will help people find solutions, promote their rights, and empower them to thrive. We value the unique experiences and dedication our social workers bring, and we’re committed to sharing the real, positive stories of social work in our community.

Are you ready to reimagine what your social work career could be?

We are passionate about providing exceptional care and support to children and young people in need, and understand that to provide an outstanding service, our Newly Qualified Social Workers need to be at their best. Here, you will find a supportive atmosphere where you will be fully supported to achieve your goals and reach your full potential during your AYSE, whilst maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

• Hear from our Social Work teams and find out more information.
• How Suffolk supports Newly Qualified Social Workers to grow, develop and progress.

Shaping Careers and Learning 

We understand that being a Newly Qualified Social Worker can be a challenging role, which is why we offer:

• regular supervision to ensure you feel supported within your role
• provide the necessary training to enhance your career development 
• a structured career progression scheme to foster your growth
• the commitment and full support from our management team and colleagues within the service to ensure you achieve your goals and get the best out of your ASYE
• protected development and time for reflection, regular supervision with your Practice Manager, including ongoing CPD (Continuing Professional Development) and PDP (Personal Development Plan) to enable professional growth and a reduced caseload (from 15 cases in the first 6 months
• clinical supervision by a seasoned professional. This does not only benefit your personal wellbeing but directly affects the experience of the children and young people within our care.

This way, you can be confident in your abilities and provide the best possible care to those in need.

Additional benefits:

• up to 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays per annum, pro rata for part time
• an uplift of 3 additional annual leave days, pro rata for part time
• 3 protected CPD days per annum
• access to a relocation package of up to £8,000, a car leasing scheme and a welcome loan of £2,000 for all new social workers moving to Suffolk
• free on-site car parking in all council buildings
• flexible working options and our commitment to supporting health and wellbeing
• detailed induction programme, including mandatory Signs of Safety training
• staff networks which are open to staff, councillors and partners that share similar characteristics, life experiences, values and beliefs.

To take up this role, you will need to have:

• a relevant social work qualification and Social Work England registration
• a full and current driving licence and have access to personal transport or meet the mobility requirements of the role through other reasonable and suitable means.

Take a look at what makes our Ideal Worker, shaped by the voices of young people.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profiles below, if you believe you can succeed in this role, please apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

Discover more

• Hear from our staff about our Social Work teams.
• Social Work within Children and Young Peoples Services.
• Find out about our beautiful county of Suffolk and see what a wonderful place it is to live and work, please visit welcome to Suffolk.
• Further information on what we will offer you.
• Sponsorship for a visa may be available for current UK residents. This role is based in Suffolk.

The team 

You’ll join one of our dedicated Family Help Teams - multi‑disciplinary groups of social workers and practitioners committed to improving outcomes for children and young people across Suffolk. 

We work creatively, collaboratively and with compassion, always striving to ensure every child can live their best life. 

Hybrid working, community engagement and flexible approaches are all part of how we operate. 

Empowering Everyone

We are big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We are always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information

For an informal discussion about the role/s, please email: [email protected] or contact Steve Blaney by calling 01502 674649.

Ready to reimagine what's possible in social work? Apply now and let's shape Suffolk's future together.

How to apply

Step 1 - Before applying for this job, please read the Job and Person Profile (Word).

Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application. 

Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below. You should use the Supporting Statement template (Word)

1. Reflect on how your placement/apprenticeship experiences have prepared you for this Newly Qualified Social Worker role. What were your placements? What key skills and insights did you gain?
2. Please provide an example where you worked with an adult, child or family during a placement, including the legislation or framework you used, how you ensured a person‑or child‑centred assessment, and how you worked in partnership to promote independence and positive outcomes.

Step 4 - Upload a CV (without name and personal details) and complete the short online application form. When completing your application, please tell us if you have a preferred location from Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds or Lowestoft.

Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.  

For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page. 

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences, so we encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the process. You can also read our Using AI in Your Application and Interview guidance to understand acceptable and unacceptable use of AI. If AI is used inappropriately, your application may not be progressed. 

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team by emailing: [email protected] or calling 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustments page. If you're invited to the next stage, you’ll have another chance to request adjustments.

Closing date: 11:30pm, 31 October 2026

Promoted as FJ (Featured Job) on Suffolk Jobs Direct. 

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. We are also committed to flexible working. #LI-Hybrid