Location
Wandsworth, London (Hybrid working: office based for a minimum of 3 days per week)

Hours
Full Time - 36 hours per week

Salary
£50,484 – £61,176 per annum

About the Role
Are you passionate about supporting newly qualified social workers to build confidence, capability and excellent practice? As Early Career Development Programme Manager, you will design, oversee and quality assure Wandsworth’s two-year Early Career Development Programme for newly qualified social workers, replacing the current one-year ASYE model from September 2027. In the interim, you will assess NQSWs completing their ASYE and support the transition to the new programme.

You will provide structured development, reflective supervision and assessment across the early career period, helping social workers strengthen their practice, professional identity and confidence. Working within the Children’s Social Care Academy, you will contribute to high-quality, relational and evidence-informed practice across Children’s Services.

In this role, you will teach, support and assess NQSWs, enabling them to become confident, reflective practitioners who can make a positive difference for children and families and meet the requirements of the relevant assessment panel. You will work closely with NQSWs, host team managers and workforce development colleagues to ensure the programme offers structured learning, reflective supervision, clear assessment and constructive feedback.

Your key responsibilities will include overseeing assessment and evidence requirements, coordinating induction and learning activity, supporting host team managers, contributing to wider practice development, and coordinating Social Work Teaching Consultant roles within the regional DfE-funded Social Work Teaching Partnership.

Richmond & Wandsworth Councils are committed to making recruitment inclusive and promoting equality and diversity. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and offer a wide range of benefits including 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan.

Experience
Experience of supervising, educating and assessing social workers in training, including NQSWs undertaking ASYE or equivalent early career development programmes. Recent practice education experience with active progression towards Practice Educator Professional Standards (PEPS) Stage 2, unless already holding the Practice Teaching Award. Strong knowledge of assessment and support requirements for NQSWs within the two-year Early Career Development Programme, including the Professional Capabilities Framework and DfE Knowledge and Skills Statements.

About you
Committed to helping newly qualified social workers thrive and build rewarding careers. Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, including the ability to create supportive, reflective supervisory relationships and work collaboratively with NQSWs, managers and wider stakeholders. Ability to observe, analyse and challenge practice, identifying strengths and areas for development and providing clear, analytical and constructive feedback.

Qualifications
Qualified social worker registered with Social Work England. Practice Educator Professional Standards Stage 1, or equivalent, with recent practice education experience and active progression towards PEPS Stage 2, unless already holding the Practice Teaching Award. Ability to design, deliver and evaluate evidence-informed practice development programmes that respond to identified learning needs.