NQSW Supported Year
Statement from NQSW Implementation Partnership
The NQSW Implementation Partnership is committed to the national implementation of a supported first year in practice for newly qualified social workers (NQSWs).
Supporting NQSWs using the Definitions of employer support will become mandatory for employers and is part of the ambition to create a strategic framework from qualifying education through to advanced practice for all social workers and social work employers in Scotland. The Supported Year provides an infrastructure so that all workers know what support they will receive from their employer to assist their transition from education into the workforce.
The NQSW Supported Year Implementation Partnership meets on a monthly basis and actions are approved by the Social Work Education Partnership (SWEP). The national rollout of the NQSW Supported Year will proceed as planned for October 2024.
To achieve this the NQSW Implementation Partnership will continue to work with key partners to ensure the necessary supports and systems are in place for successful implementation.
Brief overview of the NQSW Supported Year
The NQSW Supported Year is relevant to all newly qualified social workers registered with the SSSC.
It aims to ensure that all NQSWs entering the workforce have access to support and development opportunities which consolidate social work education and develop professional identity and social work practice.
Principles of the NQSW Supported Year
- Developmental in nature
- Promotes professional identity
- Values ways in which social workers learn
- Process is transparent
- Supports supervisors
Employer Support
Employers will work to consistently provide the support outlined in the Definitions of employer support document.
NQSW Supported Year process
The NQSW Supported Year places supervision and professional development at the centre. It provides a structured approach to discussing and reviewing individual professional development. Full detail of the approach is available in the NQSW Supported Year overview and guidance
Core Learning Elements for Social Workers
The Core learning elements for social workers: NQSW descriptors and mandatory learning activity provides a framework for NQSWs to meet registration requirements in addition to specific organisation, service and team learning.
Evidence of meeting the continuous professional learning (CPL) registration requirements will be validated and endorsed by the employing organisation. NQSWs are responsible for informing the SSSC that they have met their registration requirements
Further information
Other websites by the SSSC
The SSSC has created several websites that provide specific services for learning and statistic reporting.
