ASYE Guide 2026: Everything Newly Qualified Social Workers Need to Know

What is the ASYE?

The Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) is a 12-month programme designed to help newly qualified social workers (NQSWs) transition from student to confident practitioner. While not legally mandatory, it's strongly recommended and expected by most employers.

The programme provides structured support, a protected caseload, and regular supervision to help you develop your skills in a supported environment. Successfully completing the ASYE demonstrates you've met the required standards for your first year of practice.

Who is the ASYE For?

The ASYE is for anyone who:

• Has recently qualified with a social work degree or postgraduate qualification
• Is registered with Social Work England
• Is in their first year of post-qualifying practice
• Works in any sector - statutory, private, or voluntary

The ASYE applies across all areas of social work, including children and families, adult services, and mental health.

Structure of the ASYE

The ASYE is employer-led, meaning your employer is responsible for providing the programme. However, it follows a national framework with consistent elements:

Three Main Elements

1. Professional Development and Support: Regular supervision, protected time for learning, and a reduced caseload
2. Evidence Requirements: Building a portfolio demonstrating your capability against the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF)
3. Assessment: Formal reviews at key points throughout the year

Review Points

You'll have formal reviews of your progress at:

• 3 months: Initial check-in on how you're settling in
• 6 months: Mid-point review of progress
• 9 months: Preparation for final assessment
• 12 months: Final assessment and sign-off

What Support Should You Receive?

As an NQSW on the ASYE, you're entitled to:

Reduced Caseload

Your workload should be lighter than experienced practitioners, with cases of appropriate complexity. The exact reduction varies by employer but typically means 80-90% of a full caseload.

Regular Supervision

You should receive reflective professional supervision at least every two weeks in the early months, potentially moving to every three weeks as you progress. This should be protected time, not constantly cancelled.

Dedicated Support

Most employers provide:

• An ASYE assessor or supervisor
• An ASYE coordinator or lead
• Protected time for learning activities (typically 10% of your time)
• Access to training and development opportunities

Peer Support

Many employers run NQSW cohort groups or action learning sets, giving you the chance to learn alongside other newly qualified workers.

The Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF)

Your ASYE assessment is based on the Professional Capabilities Framework, which sets out what social workers should be able to do at each stage of their career. At ASYE level, you're expected to demonstrate capability across nine domains:

1. Professionalism
2. Values and Ethics
3. Diversity and Equality
4. Rights, Justice and Economic Wellbeing
5. Knowledge
6. Critical Reflection and Analysis
7. Skills and Interventions
8. Contexts and Organisations
9. Professional Leadership

Building Your Portfolio

Throughout the year, you'll collect evidence demonstrating your capability. This typically includes:

• Reflective accounts of your practice
• Feedback from supervisors, colleagues, and service users
• Examples of your work (anonymised)
• Records of training and learning activities
• Supervision notes

Tips for Portfolio Building

• Start collecting evidence from day one - don't leave it until the end
• Link each piece of evidence to specific PCF domains
• Quality over quantity - a few strong examples are better than lots of weak ones
• Include a range of evidence types, not just written reflections
• Ask for feedback proactively throughout the year

Common Challenges and How to Handle Them

Workload Creep

It's common for protected caseload limits to slip as teams face pressure. If this happens, raise it in supervision and with your ASYE lead. Document the conversation.

Cancelled Supervision

Regular supervision is essential. If yours is frequently cancelled, escalate the issue. You need this support to succeed.

Imposter Syndrome

Feeling like you don't know enough is normal. Remember: the ASYE exists precisely because everyone needs time to develop. You're not expected to know everything.

Case Recording Pressure

Many NQSWs struggle with the volume of documentation required. Develop efficient recording habits early - this will serve you throughout your career.

What Happens After the ASYE?

Successfully completing the ASYE means you've met the standards for your first year of practice. You'll receive confirmation from your employer, and this can be used as evidence for your Social Work England CPD requirements.

After the ASYE, you'll continue to develop against the PCF, moving towards 'Social Worker' level and beyond. Many practitioners pursue:

• Specialist training (AMHP, BIA, Practice Educator)
• Senior practitioner roles
• Management pathways
• Practice development or training roles

Upcoming Changes

Social Work England is considering replacing the one-year ASYE with a five-year early career framework for children's social workers. This would provide extended support and development, though it wouldn't come into force until 2026 at the earliest. Watch this space for updates.

Key Takeaways

• The ASYE is a 12-month supported programme for NQSWs
• You should have a reduced caseload and regular supervision
• Assessment is based on the Professional Capabilities Framework
• Start building your portfolio from day one
• If you're not getting the support you need, raise it
• ASYE evidence counts towards your CPD requirements