Early Career Development Programme Manager

Richmond and Wandsworth Council; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

40 days annual leave

Flexible working

Generous pension plan

Job summary

Richmond & Wandsworth Council in London seeks an Early Career Development Programme Manager to design, oversee and quality assure the two-year ECDP for newly qualified social workers in Wandsworth, replacing the current one-year ASYE model from Sep 2027. The role includes assessing NQSWs during the transition.

You will provide structured development, reflective supervision and assessment across the early career period, ensuring high-quality, evidence-informed practice within the Children’s

Qualifications

• Qualified social worker registered with Social Work England.
• Practice Educator Professional Standards Stage 1, or equivalent, with recent practice education experience and active progression towards PEPS Stage 2.
• Strong knowledge of assessment and support requirements for NQSWs within the two-year Early Career Development Programme, including the Professional Capabilities Framework and DfE Knowledge and Skills Statements.
• Experience supervising, educating and assessing social workers in training, including NQSWs undertaking ASYE or equivalent early career development programmes.
• Ability to design, deliver and evaluate evidence-informed practice development programmes that respond to identified learning needs.
• Ability to observe, analyse and challenge practice, providing clear, analytical and constructive feedback.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, including the ability to create supportive, reflective supervisory relationships and work collaboratively with NQSWs, managers and wider stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Oversee assessment and evidence requirements for the programme.
• Coordinate induction and learning activity for NQSWs.
• Support host team managers during the transition to the new programme.
• Contribute to wider practice development and regional partnerships.
• Coordinate Social Work Teaching Consultant roles within the regional partnership.

Skills

Assessment & supervision

Communication

Relationship-building

Education

Social worker registered with Social Work England

Practice Educator Standards Stage 1

Progress towards PEPS Stage 2

Job description

Early Career Development Programme Manager (ECDP Manager)

£50,484 - £61,176 per annum
Permanent
Full Time (36 hours)
Wandsworth, London
Ofsted Rating: Outstanding
Hybrid Working: Office based for a minimum of 3 days per week

Are you passionate about supporting newly qualified social workers to build confidence, capability and excellent practice?

As Early Career Development Programme Manager, you will design, oversee and quality assure Wandsworth's two-year Early Career Development Programme for newly qualified social workers, which will replace the current one-year ASYE model from September 2027. In the interim, you will assess NQSWs completing their ASYE and support the transition to the new programme.

You will provide structured development, reflective supervision and assessment across the early career period, helping social workers strengthen their practice, professional identity and confidence. Working within the Children's Social Care Academy, you will contribute to high-quality, relational and evidence-informed practice across Children's Services.

About the role

In this role, you will teach, support and assess NQSWs, enabling them to become confident, reflective practitioners who can make a positive difference for children and families and meet the requirements of the relevant assessment panel.

You will work closely with NQSWs, host team managers and workforce development colleagues to ensure the programme offers structured learning, reflective supervision, clear assessment and constructive feedback.

Your key responsibilities will include overseeing assessment and evidence requirements, coordinating induction and learning activity, supporting host team managers, contributing to wider practice development, and coordinating Social Work Teaching Consultant roles within the regional DfE-funded Social Work Teaching Partnership.

For full details on this exciting role, please review the attached Job Profile.

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Qualified social worker registered with Social Work England.
• Practice Educator Professional Standards Stage 1, or equivalent, with recent practice education experience and active progression towards PEPS Stage 2, unless already holding the Practice Teaching Award.
• Strong knowledge of assessment and support requirements for NQSWs within the two-year Early Career Development Programme, including the Professional Capabilities Framework and DfE Knowledge and Skills Statements.
• Experience of supervising, educating and assessing social workers in training, including NQSWs undertaking ASYE or equivalent early career development programmes.
• Ability to design, deliver and evaluate evidence-informed practice development programmes that respond to identified learning needs.
• Ability to observe, analyse and challenge practice, identifying strengths and areas for development and providing clear, analytical and constructive feedback.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, including the ability to create supportive, reflective supervisory relationships and work collaboratively with NQSWs, managers and wider stakeholders.

Closing Date: 17 September 2026

Shortlisting Date: 18 September 2026

Interview Date: 25 September 2026

Please note, shortlisted candidates will be invited to a pre-screening telephone call before the formal interview stage. The selection process will also include a presentation and written test.

We may close this vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications has been received.

Richmond & Wandsworth Better Service Partnership are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know.

We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact:
Florence Clark [e-mail]
Jordan Makmihe [e-mail]