How Gateshead鈥檚 Social Work Academy is supporting new social workers
16 May 2025
3 min read
This #GoodNewsFriday, we take a look at how Gateshead鈥檚 Social Work Academy is supporting newly qualified social workers.
Starting a career in social work can be both exciting and daunting. However, Gateshead Council’s Social Work Academy is helping newly qualified social workers (NQSWs) to feel supported from day one. The Social Work Academy, which launched in September 2022, was established to help those undertaking their Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE).
The Academy introduced a simple yet powerful initiative to help NQSWs feel comfortable in their role. Each outgoing cohort of NQSWs writes a letter to the next, offering advice, reassurance, and practical tips based on their own experiences. These letters are then included in the induction packs of the incoming cohort, providing a personal welcome.
The letters have highlighted some key themes that consistently resonate with new social workers and were imparted through their letters. Emotional well-being and self-care are mentioned as crucial, with messages encouraging new starters to maintain a healthy balance, take breaks, and prioritise their own mental health. Supervision is also mentioned in many letters as being important for professional growth, with advice on how to engage fully in reflective and case discussions to become a better social worker.
Another recurring theme is boundary setting, which is something many NQSWs initially struggle with. The letters reinforce that saying ‘no’ when necessary and setting realistic expectations are essential to avoiding burnout. Finally, organisational skills and time management skills were viewed highly, with tips on managing time effectively and making the most of training opportunities during the ASYE stated as having a big impact on performance.
The positive impact of these letters has led to the development of a structured year two offer, using the feedback from the letters to provide guidance on what NQSWs entering their second year might require. Since September 2023, Gateshead’s social workers in their second year have benefitted from development days tailored to their needs. Topics such as emotional resilience, work-life balance, and the impact of court proceedings are covered, along with opportunities for further reflective supervision.
Mentorship also continues into the second year, with experienced social workers providing ongoing guidance through quarterly reflection sessions. This extended support ensures that social workers are growing in confidence and competence as they progress.
Zoe Hovells, Gatehead’s ASYE co-ordinator, said:
In the past, some of our NQSW have written their letters individually, whilst others have chosen to do it as a group and get their ideas down together. The activity is led by the NQSWs and what they want to share, it has always been positive and any areas they have struggled with, they have thought about this in a productive way of how a new social worker could manage this.
I find it positive to hear all the ways that the cohort feel that they have been supported and anything to develop is taken into their second-year offer. Hopefully this helps you to start completing this and adapt it to what works in your local authority.
All NQSWs should be so proud of gaining their degree, starting, and completing their ASYE. All of this should be a celebration, and I am always grateful to be part of this.
Make sure to visit our Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) page for more information.
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