Calling all newly qualified Social Workers

Are you a Student Social Worker who is nearing the end of their qualification or recently qualified? Are you interested in a Career with Redcar & Cleveland Children’s Services?

Our Social Work Academy will give you a great grounding for your career so that you flourish and have the tools, experiences, and support to do your job well!

It is a great time to join our workforce within Children’s Services, with great opportunities to develop your learning, ongoing training to improve practice, a clear way to progress through our progression pathway with an amazing team that celebrates success.

The Academy offers social workers who are newly qualified a positive and strong induction into statutory children’s social work, promoting the development in the quality, consistency, and effectiveness of social work practice to ensure that children’s outcomes are positive.

Relationships that Connect to Build our Communities - Our mission statement

Redcar and Cleveland Children’s Social Work Academy is investing in Social Work while inspiring excellence by putting “Relationships First” with a focus on Relationships that Connect to Build our Communities. It is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change.

It is absolutely crucial for our Social Workers to have continuous professional development and we are passionate about providing the right support through our academy. We want our Academy filled with passionate, motivated and creative Social Workers.

Being a part of our academy, Newly Qualified Social Worker’s will be the children and family’s future in Redcar & Cleveland. The Academy will embed and embrace a whole range of strengths-based practice models.

It is our mission to develop Creative, Curious, Compassionate, Committed, Collaborated and Child-Centered Social Workers.

The learning environment of the Academy will allow Newly Qualified Social Workers high levels of supervision, particularly at the early stages, and an individual development plan, workshops, and day to day practice support during the first year of practice.

As Newly Qualified Social Workers careers unfold, our academy will be supporting staff every step of the way. We have created an environment where excellent practice can thrive and Newly Qualified Social Worker’s will be supported beyond their Assessed Supported Year in Employment, the door will always be open with a warm welcome to provide guidance and problem solve.

We welcome and work closely with colleagues within Children’s Services as a vital part of the wider Social Work Academy team.

Relationships First Mission to our children - When the people that love and care for you are having difficulties, we support them to keep you safe and make changes that last. If they can’t, even when we and the people in your life that love you have given your carers all the help we can, we will work to put in plans so that you are loved, happy, safe and supported.

We have a great offer for our NQSWs.

We will assure high levels of supervision at early stages, promoting critical reﬂective practice which supports judgement and decision making and promotes emotional resilience.
We will ensure that NQSW feel part of Redcar and Cleveland Children’s Services and are able to build an empowering supportive network around them to become competent and confident practitioners.
We will provide 12 months of core social work learning from an experienced social work team.
These 12 months will provide NQSWs reﬂective time to explore the work that they have shadowed in their host teams to consider the process and interventions involved, relevant research, theories, and models whilst critically reﬂecting upon the impact of their interventions for the children and families.
A bespoke ASYE year facilitated by our ASYE coordinator.
Support and training in a range of practice models including Signs of Safety, Trauma Informed and Family Focused, so that this practice naturally informs assessments and interventions with children and their families.
Offer NQSWs opportunities to shadow work with children living in complex situations including children who are: Children in our care, children who have child protection plans and child in need plans, to prepare NQSWs for more independent practice as their experience grows.

Follow the Children's Social Work Academy on X (formerly Twitter) for more information and updates about the academy.

Staff testimonials

Don't just take our word for it. Hear from some of our current team members about their experience with the Children's Social Work Academy.

Sarah said:

I have worked in RCBC for over 2 years now, having worked in Children’s Services for almost 20. I can say sincerely that I have never felt as supported, valued and ‘heard’ as an employee, as I have during my time here.

I have the benefit of the most supportive line manager, as well as wider support from the senior leadership team who have an active and consistent presence.

I have to say my most favourite thing about RCBC is the culture; one of learning, integrity, support and respect. Everyone is valued.

Kelly said:

I have worked for Redcar & Cleveland Children’s Services for 12 years, starting my career as a Newly Qualified Social Worker (NQSW) and I’m now in my dream role as an Advanced Practitioner. The support I have had from Team Managers and Senior Managers is outstanding and we actually feel like a family.

I couldn’t imagine working for any other Local Authority. As employees, we have staff benefits with discount (with I.D.) in local shops and leisure centres, we start with 29 days annual leave, which increases to 34 days after 5 years of service and the starting wage as NQSW is generous.

The on-going training is of exceptional quality and relevance so we are always up to date with our practice and research. What I love about Redcar & Cleveland is that they truly believe change can only happen if we build positive relationships with the families (and colleagues and external agencies) we work with; we have an ethos that if we sit down WITH our families and talk honestly and respectfully about our worries, then we can make positive changes by coming up with solutions together to make children’s lives happier, healthier and where they always feel loved and safe.

Chelsea said:

So far I love working with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council I feel very supported within my role, from my colleagues, to the advanced practitioners, managers and HR everyone is approachable, understanding and very supportive.

I feel like the Local Authorities approach is such a great way of supporting and encouraging families and the way I have always wished to work, to work with children and families to support them. I feel like everyone’s approach is very positive and they want to make that difference for every child(re) and their families.

It is a positive place to work and a place I feel very welcome and part of a big team.