Two social workers celebrate after they complete their Assessed and Supported Year in Employment

Two Shropshire Council social workers are celebrating after receiving an award from the College of Social Work for successfully completing their Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE).

Newly-qualified social workers Janet Merreywether and Jessica Antrobus were presented with their certificates by Stephen Chandler, Shropshire Council’s director of adult services and Penny Holdsworth, Shropshire Council’s co-ordinator of the ASYE scheme in Shropshire.

ASYE is designed to ensure that, during their first year of employment, newly-qualified social workers are able to gain the professional skills and confidence required to establish their careers and reinforce effective working and best practice.

This scheme started in Shropshire in January 2013 and since then 13 social workers in adult services have successfully completed their ASYE.

During their first year in employment they complete assessment tasks and produce a folder of evidence showing their practice development over the year, demonstrating their capability as a social worker.

Lee Chapman, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for adult services – transformation and safeguarding, said:

“Firstly I’d like to congratulate Janet and Jessica on receiving these awards – well done.

“It is really important that social workers start their professional lives in a structured and supported environment and ASYE helps to provide this.

“Our investment in this scheme shows our commitment to continuing to provide excellent services to Shropshire residents.”

Evaluation comments from people who completed their ASYE included comments such as:

“The monthly meetings and opportunities to share knowledge were very helpful”.

“By the end of the year I felt increasingly confident to undertake more complex work.”

“Being able to step back from the team and reflect and speak to other people in the same situation felt very supportive.”