What support can a newly qualified social worker expect in Scotland?

[Nel1234]

Hi all - one of my young relatives is just about to start as a probationary social worker within children & family services. She's really keen to get started. I wondered if there were any experienced SW's who could give an idea of what she can expect in the first year, what support she could get as a newly qualified SW and any other advice.

Thanks in advance.

She will be expected to hit the ground running

It's brutal. Social work is under resourced. She'll get the usual supervision etc as part of the NQSW supported year - if she's lucky to get a good manager who follows through on it. It's a national framework but the actual expierence varies. Meant to have a reduced caseload, mentoring etc, in practice the resources and capciry for it isn't there. Very dependent on the local team.

Children and families social work is at the sharp end and is high risk in terms of potential for things to go badly wrong. But if she's qualified I'm sure she's not naive and going in with her eyes wide open as she'll have done placements.

The good thing is it's pretty well paid(circa £45k) in comparison to other related SSSC regulated roles.

There’s no such thing as a probationer social worker - you’re qualified or you’re not. She should receive support in her first year post qualifying - and shouldn’t take the lead in child protection cases in her first year. There should also be protected time for learning and development.

The reality is it’s a fast paced, highly pressured role and her employee should explain how they provide support for her newly qualified year but she should expect it to be challenging.

Thank you - sorry my terminology was incorrect. That was my misunderstanding.