NQSW Supported Year
The Newly Qualified Social Worker (NQSW) Supported Year is a national framework developed by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) to support newly qualified social workers as they transition from education into professional practice. It aims to ensure that newly qualified social workers have access to structured support, supervision, learning opportunities, and professional development during their first year of practice.
What is the NQSW Supported Year?
The NQSW Supported Year places supervision, reflection, and professional development at the centre of the first year of practice. It provides a structured approach to supporting newly qualified social workers as they develop confidence, consolidate learning from qualifying education, and strengthen their professional identity.
The framework is relevant to all newly qualified social workers registered with the SSSC and supports continuous professional learning throughout the first year of employment. You can find full details on the NQSW Supported Year website.
Key Principles
The NQSW Supported Year:
- Supports professional growth and development
- Promotes reflective practice
- Strengthens professional identity
- Recognises different ways people learn
- Encourages meaningful supervision and support
- Helps newly qualified social workers meet their continuous professional learning requirements
These principles help provide a consistent experience for newly qualified social workers across Scotland.
Learning and Development
During the supported year, newly qualified social workers work with supervisors and managers to identify learning needs, reflect on practice, and create personalised development plans. The process encourages ongoing professional discussion, review, and evidence of learning.
The framework includes:
- Supervision and professional support
- Professional development planning
- Reflective practice
- Learning activities linked to social work capabilities
- Continuous professional learning requirements
Further information is available within the NQSW Supported Year Overview and Guidance and the Guide to Meeting NQSW Continuous Professional Learning Requirements.
Resources and Support
The Scottish Social Services Council provides a range of resources to support newly qualified social workers, supervisors, and employers. These include guidance documents, templates, learning materials, and information about the professional development review process.
You can access implementation materials, templates, and support resources through the SSSC NQSW Supported Year resources and implementation guidance pages.
Related Learning
You may also find it useful to explore other learning and development opportunities available through PK Learning, including resources on supervision, reflective practice, leadership and management, professional development, and health and social care practice.