ASYE Resources for Newly Qualified Social Workers

Guidance

Child and family ASYE: programme resources

Templates and guidance for employers and newly qualified social workers completing the child and family assessed and supported year in employment (ASYE) programme.

From: Department for Education Published 25 March 2026 Last updated 23 April 2026
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Applies to England

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Overview

The assessed and supported year in employment (ASYE) is a 12-month, employer-led and employment-based programme of support and assessment for newly qualified social workers (NQSWs) who work with children and families.

The programme is based on the post-qualifying standards (PQS), formerly known as the knowledge and skills statements (KSS), for child and family social work.

The programme supports the progressive development of social work practice. It provides an effective framework of support at the beginning of a social worker’s career.

This guidance is specifically for the child and family ASYE programme. Information on the adult social work ASYE programme can be found in the adults ASYE for newly qualified social workers guide for employers.

The ASYE programme is not mandatory, but it is recommended.

You can find out about the eligibility criteria, how to register and the funding available, on the child and family social work ASYE programme: registration and funding page.

Employer benefits

Workforce retention

Social workers remain in the profession and continue to develop and progress throughout their social work career.

High standards of practice

Social workers deliver positive outcomes for children, young people, families and adults who draw on care and support.

Who the programme is for

The child and family ASYE programme is for social workers:

• registered with Social Work England who are employed in a social work role or in a role that meets and evidences the relevant post-qualifying standards
• in child and family services in all sectors (statutory and private, voluntary or independent)
• employed through an agency (an agreement will need to be made as to whether the agency or host employer fulfils the ASYE requirements)
• qualified for up to 4 years

ASYE templates and guidance

NQSWs, ASYE co-ordinators, assessors, supervisors and employers working in child and family services should use these templates to complete the ASYE programme.

NQSWs, assessors and employers can use the templates to support with the effective quality assurance, moderation and consistent delivery of the ASYE programme in the workplace.

NQSW PQS (KSS) self-assessment

It is mandatory for child and family NQSWs to complete a self-assessment. This should be done at the beginning, halfway through and towards the end of the programme.

Individual employers have their own paperwork for NQSWs to complete. It should map the NQSW ’s knowledge, skills and practice against the relevant post-qualifying standards: knowledge and skills statements for child and family practitioners.

However, the self-assessment documentation does not need to be included in the portfolio – only confirmation that the self-assessments have been completed.

NQSWs will need to provide a minimum of 3 pieces of feedback from people they are supporting.

If a NQSW wants to submit additional evidence of feedback, they can. Feedback from people being supported can be gathered:

• by the observer at the end of a direct observation
• through the NQSW asking a person they are supporting to provide them with feedback
• by people volunteering feedback without a request It is good practice to reflect on any feedback received and include a section for this in the employer feedback forms.

If the NQSW receives any challenging feedback, they should reflect on this with their ASYE assessor. Reflection might identify a new learning need that should be met.

Part 1: beginning the ASYE

The ASYE programme starts with an initial professional development meeting to identify the learning and development needs of the NQSW. This is supported by the NQSW ’s completion of the self-assessment documentation.

This meeting will inform the:

• discussions in the support and assessment agreement meeting
• assessment process in the year ahead
• initial professional development plan ASYE assessors will need to complete the initial professional development meeting template with the NQSW. Assessors will work with the NQSW to set out, agree and complete the support and assessment agreement, including with regard to roles and responsibilities. This will prompt and enable the NQSW to reflect on the year ahead.

Part 1: evidence required

Templates to be completed by NQSWs:

• Part 1: Heading page (MS Word Document, 949 KB)
• Confidentiality statement (MS Word Document, 952 KB)
• PQS (KSS) self-assessment documentation

• Initial professional development plan (MS Word Document, 672 KB)
  Templates to be completed by assessors:

• Initial professional development meeting (MS Word Document, 653 KB)

• Support and assessment agreement (MS Word Document, 984 KB)

Part 2: first 3 months – foundational review

NQSWs will be developing their critically reflective practice and continuing to identify their progress and development needs ready for the 3-month foundational review.

NQSWs will need to submit work to their ASYE assessor, along with other evidence of progression, such as a direct observation. Refer to the Guidance for assessors on observations of NQSWs (PDF, 280 KB, 6 pages).

Assessors will review the NQSW ’s work, which will include their critical reflections and evidence of their progression.

Part 2: evidence required

Templates to be completed by NQSWs:

• Part 2: Heading page (MS Word Document, 648 KB)
• Supporting information for the 3-month foundational review (MS Word Document, 951 KB)

• Professional development plan: 3 to 6 months (MS Word Document, 650 KB)
  Templates to be completed by NQSWs and assessors:

• Direct observation 1 (MS Word Document, 956 KB)

• Verification of professional documentation (work products) viewed to date (MS Word Document, 953 KB)

• Evidence of feedback from people in need of care and support or carers (employer’s own paperwork)
  Templates to be completed by NQSWs and professional observers:

• Feedback from other professionals (MS Word Document, 953 KB)
  Templates to be completed by assessors:

• Record of support and progressive assessment (RSPA) 3-month foundational review (MS Word Document, 655 KB)

Part 3: 3 to 6 months – interim review and assessment

NQSWs will continue to develop their critically reflective practice and will complete the critical reflection and planning for their 6-month interim review and assessment.

Assessors will review the NQSW ’s work which will include their critical reflections and evidence of their progression. Assessors will undertake the interim assessment and can invite any other relevant people to the interim review meeting with the NQSW.

Part 3: evidence required

Templates to be completed by NQSWs:

• Part 3: Heading page (MS Word Document, 648 KB)
• Critical reflection: 0 to 6 months (MS Word Document, 963 KB)
• PQS (KSS) self-assessment documentation

• Professional development plan: 6 to 9 months (MS Word Document, 616 KB)
  Templates to be completed by NQSWs and assessors:

• Direct observation 2 (MS Word Document, 655 KB)

• Verification of professional documentation for 6 month review (MS Word Document, 651 KB)

• Evidence of feedback from people in need of care and support or carers (employer’s own paperwork)
  Templates to be completed by NQSWs and professional observers:

• Feedback from other professionals: 6-month review (MS Word Document, 652 KB)
  Templates to be completed by assessors:

• Record of support and progressive assessment (RSPA) interim review at 6 months (MS Word Document, 656 KB)

Part 4: 9-month progressive development meeting

NQSWs will prepare for the 9-month progressive development meeting and complete the progressive development meeting template with their ASYE assessor.

Assessors can invite any other relevant people to the progressive development meeting.

Part 4: evidence required

Templates to be completed by NQSWs:

• Part 4: Heading page (MS Word Document, 648 KB)

• Professional development plan: 9 to 12 months (MS Word Document, 948 KB)
  Templates to be completed by NQSWs and assessors:

• Progressive development meeting at 9 months (MS Word Document, 950 KB)

Part 5: 6 to 12 months – final review and assessment

NQSWs will be working towards the end of the ASYE programme. They will be consolidating their learning, recording critical reflections of their practice and planning for continued professional development. They will need to submit work and evidence to their ASYE assessor and this could be in the form of a presentation.

Assessors will complete a final review of the NQSW ’s support and progress with reference to their critical written reflective piece or presentation, along with any other evidence of progression.

The assessor’s final assessment will inform their decision to pass or fail the NQSW. The assessor can invite any other relevant people to the final review meeting.

Part 5: evidence required

Templates to be completed by NQSWs:

• Part 5: Heading page (MS Word Document, 648 KB)
• Critical reflection: 6 to 12 months (MS Word Document, 652 KB)
• PQS (KSS) self-assessment documentation

• Professional development plan post ASYE year (MS Word Document, 651 KB)
  Templates to be completed by NQSWs and assessors:

• Direct observation 3 (MS Word Document, 965 KB)

• Verification of professional documentation (work products) viewed to date (MS Word Document, 952 KB)

• Evidence of feedback from people in need of care and support or carers (employer’s own paperwork)
  Templates to be completed by NQSWs and professional observers:

• Feedback from other professionals (MS Word Document, 950 KB)
  Templates to be completed by assessors:

• Record of support and progressive assessment (RSPA) 6 to 12 month final review (MS Word Document, 660 KB), including recommendation of assessment decision

Final review assessment presentation templates and guidance

NQSWs writing a presentation can refer to the Final presentation guidance for NQSWs (MS Word Document, 954 KB) for support with what to include, how to prepare for the presentation and how to deliver it.

NQSWs completing a presentation will need to complete the NQSW Supporting information 12-month review (MS Word Document, 951 KB) template to provide evidence on their experience of the support arrangements since the 6-month review.

Any observers of the presentation can use the Presentation feedback sheet (MS Word Document, 954 KB) to provide feedback to the NQSW. This includes information about the assessment criteria for observers.

Updates to this page

Published 25 March 2026 Last updated 23 April 2026
1.
23 April 2026

Added ' Professional development plan: 6 to 9 months' to section Part 3: evidence required.
2.
25 March 2026

First published.

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