Job Introduction
Newly Qualified Social Worker
Chatham, Kent
£35,792 per annum, rising to £36,962 after six months.
Upon successful completion of the ASYE programme your salary will increase to £39,823 per annum plus other benefits.
Unfortunately, Medway Council are currently unable to offer sponsorship for an NQSW role, and therefore any applications received where this is required will not be considered.
Are you ready for the next step in your career?
Medway Council are recruiting Newly Qualified Social Workers to join our Children’s Services teams in September for our 2025/26 Assessed and Supported Year of Employment (ASYE) programme.
Medway offers a unique ASYE programme above and beyond the basic requirements set out by the DfE. Our offer includes:
- Dedicated monthly workshops to support and enhance your learning in subjects relevant to your day-to-day work
- Dedicated ASYE Practice Development Lead to support you throughout your ASYE and beyond
- Protected caseload which will grow gradually in terms of numbers and complexity over the year
- 2 days per month for learning and development throughout the ASYE
- Group supervision alongside other NQSWs to help you learn from each other
- Community Care Inform subscription
- Access to our comprehensive learning and development programme
- A culture of staff care and learning
- Pay progression during your first year and a £2,000 payment upon successful completion of the ASYE programme
Following successful completion of the ASYE programme you will progress to the role of Social Worker where you will continue to have access to training, support and coaching to help you progress and grow your career in Medway.
In return for your commitment, we are proud to offer an excellent benefits package including –
- Essential user allowance with option to transfer to lease car after completion of your ASYE year
- Excellent local government pension scheme
- Free car parking
- Access to ICT equipment and mobile phone, to support hybrid model of flexible working
- Access to a confidential information, advice and counselling service
Eligibility Criteria
You will have completed your social work qualification no more than 4 years prior to the starting date and not have completed an ASYE programme previously.
A valid UK driving licence is required together with car insurance for business use, as you will need to travel to different locations to undertake the duties of the role.
Social Work England registered (or eligible once qualified) and ready to commence your Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) in September 2025.
Next Steps
If you would like an informal discussion about the role please contact Lori Goossen – ASYE Practice Development Lead at lori.goossen@medway.gov.uk
We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to attend an assessment centre, consisting of a group exercise and written assessment. Candidates who are successful in the assessment centre will progress to a final interview.
Additional information
This role will be subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure.
Closing date for applications is 26/04/2026
Shortlisting will commence on 27/04/2026
The Assessment Centre will take place on 29th & 30th April
Written Exercise will commence on 29th April
Group Exercise will commence week of the 29th or 30th April
Formal Interviews will commence week of 4th May
#MakeitMedway
Our organisation:
Medway is a unitary authority in the South East of England, made up of the towns of Strood, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham and Rainham and more rural areas, including the Hoo Peninsula.
Situated in Kent in the South-East of England, the area has plenty of green spaces, excellent facilities and easy access to the national motorway and rail networks, facilitating superb transport links to London.
We provide all local Government services for a quarter of a million people, looking after education, environment, social care, housing, planning, business and much more - everything from frontline services such as rubbish collection and events like the Dickens Festival to work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure services in Medway run smoothly and cost effectively.
Working at Medway Council means that you get to be part of this journey working alongside talented, professional colleagues to drive forward change to transform the lives of our residents and the communities they live in.
Equal Opportunities Commitment Statement
Medway Council is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All appropriately qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or age
For further information please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online
Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted. All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.
Please visit http://www.mindfulemployer.net/ for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.
