Children’s social work post-qualifying standards and induction
Overview
The Department for Education is consulting on a new set of post-qualifying standards (PQS) for child and family social workers and setting out proposals to enhance early career support to help the transition from initial education and support social workers to stay in practice.
Through this consultation we are seeking views on:
- replacing the current post-qualifying standards (PQS) at practitioner level with new standards, developed by an expert writing group (EWG) of social workers, which are clearer in the professional outcomes expected of new social workers and include descriptors of what they should understand and be able to do after two years, and
- how we can support employers of social workers to provide a new induction programme for their new social workers based on these post-qualifying standards. The aim is that this new, two-year, social work induction programme (SWIP) will replace the current assessed and supported year in employment (ASYE) for child and family social workers.
We are seeking the views for all those who receive and provide children’s social care services in England, and those who have an interest in it.
Why your views matter
Your feedback will help us to support child and family social work as a leading profession which has the power to transform the lives of children, young people and families and help them to flourish.
The consultation closes on 28 May 2025, so this is your chance to have your say on our proposals. We are keen to get the views from as many in the sector as possible.
Give us your views
Events
-
Post-qualifying standards and induction for child and family social workers webinar 1
From 2 Apr 2025 at 11:00 to 2 Apr 2025 at 12:00Through this consultation we are seeking views on:
• replacing the current PQS at practitioner level with new ones which are clearer in the professional outcomes expected of new social workers and include descriptors of what they should understand and be able to do after two years
• how we can support employers of social workers to provide a new two-year induction for their new social workers based on the new PQS
The aims of the webinar are to:
• let you know more about the policy proposals we set out in the consultation
• set out the process for developing the new post-qualifying standards and explain how they work
• set out our proposals for an extended induction support programme for newly qualified social workers
• give you an opportunity to ask questions about the consultation process and content
https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/bb5d7621-cbbf-4807-84fc-5adefc715203@fad277c9-c60a-4da1-b5f3-b3b8b34a82f9
Please use add to calendar, the URL above or click on the link titled 'Webinar 1' under 'Related' below to register for this webinar. -
Post-qualifying standards and induction for child and family social workers webinar 2
From 7 May 2025 at 11:00 to 7 May 2025 at 12:00Through this consultation we are seeking views on:
• replacing the current PQS at practitioner level with new ones which are clearer in the professional outcomes expected of new social workers and include descriptors of what they should understand and be able to do after two years
• how we can support employers of social workers to provide a new two-year induction for their new social workers based on the new PQS
The aims of the webinar are to:
• let you know more about the policy proposals we set out in the consultation
• set out the process for developing the new post-qualifying standards and explain how they work
• set out our proposals for an extended induction support programme for newly qualified social workers
• give you an opportunity to ask questions about the consultation process and content
https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/ed80c65c-1e31-48ba-a55c-f0fb3a975ecc@fad277c9-c60a-4da1-b5f3-b3b8b34a82f9
Please use add to calendar, the URL above or click on the link titled 'Webinar 2' under 'Related' below to register for this webinar.
Audiences
- Local authorities
- Parents
- Foster carers
- Adoptive parents
- Volunteers
- Social workers
- Those researching children’s social care or education systems, with links to educational outcomes of Children in Need
- Universities
- Social workers
- Team managers
- Service managers
- Principle social workers
- Directors of children's services
- CAMHS
- Health visitors
- Higher Education students and prospective students
Interests
- Education
- Adoption
- Fostering
- Early learning and childcare
- Early years foundation stage
- Accommodation (Looked after children)
- Advocacy (Looked after children)
- Care leavers and former looked-after children
- Financial support (Looked after children)
- Friends and family care
- Health and wellbeing (Looked after children)
- Programmes and initiatives (Looked after children)
- Short break care
- Social care standards and guidance
- Special guardianship
- Support in education
- Free Schools, studio schools and University technical colleges
- Setting up an academy or free school
- Academies
- Establishing maintained schools
- Governance
- Health and wellbeing
- Intervention
- Keeping children safe in education and other settings
- Preventing neglect, abuse and exploitation
- Safeguarding disabled children
- Social workers' standards
- Alternative provision
- Attendance and absence
- Behaviour and discipline
- Disabled children
- SEND code of practice
- Teaching and learning (SEND)
- Careers guidance
- Participation of young people in education, employment and training
- Raising the participation age
- Primary assessment
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