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ASYE and Early Career Practice

Confidence, reflection and practical support for the early years of social work. Confidence is not something we are born with - it is something we build through support, practice and space to grow.

ASYE programmesStudents and NQSWsUniversitiesGroup sessions
Important: This resource supports reflection and peer learning. ASYE requirements and employer processes vary - always check what your local programme expects. This material does not provide employment or career advice guarantees.

Learning Outcomes

  • Normalise the challenges of early-career practice through honest reflection
  • Identify personal confidence patterns and support networks
  • Build practical strategies for workload, supervision and wellbeing
  • Develop a sustainable CPD habit from the start of your career

Watch: Transitioning Between Social Work Sectors

Advice for ASYE practitioners, international social workers and anyone moving between sectors. Useful whether you are starting out or changing direction.

Learning videoTransitioning Between Social Work SectorsPlay in privacy-enhanced YouTube mode

While you watch, notice:

  • What resonates with your own transition into (or within) social work?
  • What is one thing you wish someone had told you before you started?
  • Which piece of advice will you actually act on this month?

More: Interview and Career Preparation

Preparing for a social work interview - whether your first role or your next one? The interview playlist covers common questions, legislation, prioritisation and how to talk about your motivation.

Open the Social Work Interview Playlist on YouTube →

Use the playlist to reflect on:

  • Why social work - what is your honest, personal answer?
  • How would you explain key legislation in plain language?
  • How do you prioritise when everything feels urgent?
  • What examples show your values in action?

Peer Discussion Prompts

For ASYE groups, student seminars and early-career forums. Keep discussion general - no identifiable details about people or live cases.

What surprised you most about the transition from training to practice?
What does 'good enough' look like in your first year - and who decides?
When did you last ask for help? What made it easier or harder?
What is one habit that is already serving you well?
Where does your confidence come from on a good day - and what drains it?
What would you tell a student starting their final placement tomorrow?

Choose Your Session Length

Each plan uses the same videos and resources, adapted for the time available.

60-Minute ASYE Group Session

Best for: ASYE cohorts, student groups, early-career forums

0-5 min
Welcome: everyone in this room is learning at pace. Ground rules - honesty welcome, no judgement, nothing identifiable.
5-20 min
Watch: the sector transitions video (or another early-career video that fits your cohort).
20-30 min
Pairs: what resonated? What is one thing you wish someone had told you before you started?
30-45 min
Group harvest: collect 'things we wish we had known' on a flipchart. Type it up afterwards - the list belongs to the cohort.
45-55 min
Individual then pairs: complete the confidence scale from the reflection pack. Share one pattern noticed and one supervision question to take forward.
55-60 min
Close: one word for how you are leaving. Signpost the reflection pack, CPD planner and the wellbeing tools.

Download Resources

Resources for individuals and for ASYE leads running group sessions.

🌱

Confidence Reflection Pack

Confidence scale, what I know / what I need, support map and supervision prompts

Download PDF
📖

Group Session Guide

60-minute session plan, prompts and facilitator tips for ASYE leads

Download PDF
📑

Early Career CPD Planner

Typeable Word planner for building your CPD habit from day one

Download Word

Professional Standards This Resource Supports

Mapping is indicative, to help you evidence CPD and connect the learning to professional frameworks.

Social Work England professional standards
Standard 3 (be accountable for the quality of my practice), Standard 4 (CPD), Standard 5 (act safely, respectfully and with professional integrity)
Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF)
Professionalism; Critical reflection and analysis; Professional leadership (peer support)
ASYE
Supports the reflective and developmental expectations of ASYE programmes - check local programme requirements

CPD Reflection Prompts

Use these to record your learning. They align with Social Work England CPD expectations, including the value placed on peer reflection.

What did I watch, read or discuss?
What stood out to me and why?
What did I discuss with a peer, supervisor or team?
How has this challenged, confirmed or developed my practice thinking?
What might I do differently in future?
What further learning or supervision do I need?

Using This With Your Team

ASYE leads and universities: the group session guide gives you a ready-to-run 60-minute session. The confidence reflection pack works as pre-work, as a supervision tool, or repeated at intervals across the ASYE year to make growth visible.

The tone matters here. Early-career practitioners can feel exposed in group settings - keep sessions warm, normalising and strengths-focused. This is peer support, not performance management.

Using this resource?

If your team, authority or university is using this resource, I would love to hear from you. Your feedback helps me improve it.

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Prefer Kayleigh to deliver it live?

Kayleigh speaks at a select number of events each year and is available on request for keynotes, workshops, webinars and tailored learning sessions.

View speaking & workshop options

Educational resource only — follow local policy, current legislation and statutory guidance.