Learning and development is continuous throughout your career as a social worker. This begins with the Assessed Year in Employment (AYE) for newly qualified social workers (NQSWs) followed by Professional in Practice – a framework through which social workers can undertake professional Awards and achieve professional Requirements for a broad range of learning and development which can be gained through taught or self-directed study.
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How does AYE support Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs)?
AYE is designed to provide NQSW’s with a foundation for career progression and professional development and comprises two elements:
- Extra support to NQSWs to develop skills, knowledge and competence in their first year of practice following qualification.
- A framework for formative and summative assessment of NQSWs against the National Occupational Standards for Social Work.
AYE aims to support the transition from student to employee to ensure that NQSWs are competent to practise in the workplace.
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Your AYE Responsibilities
When you register as a NQSW, it is important that you familiarise yourself with the AYE guidance, your responsibilities as an AYE registrant and the Standards of Conduct and Practice for Social Workers. This includes:
- Applying to the Social Care Council Register on the part reserved for qualified social workers.
- Obtaining employment in an agency/organisation that can provide practice that will offer consolidation and development in the six key social work roles and support for the AYE (See AYE Guidance to learn more).
- Complying with and upholding the Social Care Council Standards of Conduct and Practice for Social Workers (2015).
- Ensuring your Social Care Council online registration account is up-to-date i.e. keeping your contact and employment details current and confirming the start date of your employment as an AYE registrant.
- Adhering to the AYE guidance regarding learning and development and submitting the required AYE forms as per AYE Guidance processes and timelines
- Making use of the resources and guidance available on the Learning Zone – these are designed to support you as you progress through your social work career.
Click on the following film Adding your AYE Start Date and Updating Your Employment Details to access an explainer video guide.
Click here to access the Adding Your AYE Start Date and Updating your Employment Details guidance document.
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What to expect during your AYE
NQSWs will be allocated work that will enable them to engage in the full range of professional social work activity expected of a practising social worker. Work allocation should allow for the consolidation and extension of the skills and knowledge gained on the Degree in Social Work and NQSWs will be assessed against minimum standards for the AYE as part of the AYE Appraisal process.
The following procedures are the minimum for each NQSW (AYE registrant)
Please note: mobile users may have to scroll to the right in order to view the full table:
| What | Who | Timescale |
| Summary of Learning | AYE registrants need to bring a Summary of Learning from the Degree in Work | By the first supervision session |
| Personal Development Plan (PDP). | Developed by the AYE registrant and the professional supervisor. | By the end of the first month of your AYE employment. |
| Induction. | An induction undertaken to the Social Care Council Standards of Conduct and Practice for Employers. | By the end of the 6th month. |
| On-going supervision. | Regular supervision recording progress over the Six Key Roles for Social Work.
There should be discussion of the frequency of supervision required after the first six months. |
Supervision fortnightly for the first six months and at least monthly for the remainder of the AYE. |
| Training and development days. | AYE registrant must undertake at least 10 training and development days as part of the condition of their registration.
These days must be recorded and analysis of learning attached. Training and development days are time spent on induction, training or other work-related development activities such as reading, research, AYE support and development groups. The activities should relate to the PDP. |
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| Evidence. | To demonstrate consolidation and development in each of the 6 key roles this must include:
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Evidence should be reviewed regularly in supervision. |
| Midpoint Appraisal. | A reflective summary which includes reflection, analysis and evaluation on the progress of practice in the six key social work roles (minimum of 750 words) must be submitted to the supervisor by the AYE registrant in advance of the appraisal.
Feedback must be given by the supervisor. There should be agreement at this stage as to whether the frequency of supervision should be reduced, taking account of the confidence and competence of the AYE registrant and the complexity of the workload. |
No later than 6 months. |
| Final Appraisal. | AYE registrant must submit a final reflective summary which reviews overall progress and achievement in meeting the six key social work roles and identifies future learning needs (minimum of 750 words) to the supervisor.
At this final appraisal the AYE registrant will be either confirmed as having met SCC requirements for completion of the AYE or that the registrant has failed to provide evidence of satisfactory completion of the period of assessed employment. |
No later than 11 months. |
| Extensions to AYE | Where a registrant has been unable to complete the AYE year due to personal or health reasons or employment arrangements. AYE 2 form should be submitted to the Council.
Where a registrant has been unable to complete the AYE year due to issues of capability and competency – AYE 2 must also be completed and accompanied by a detailed manager’s report AYE 3 Form. The Social Care Council will consider each application on an individual basis. Please refer to the AYE Guidance. |
- NB: See AYE Guidance for more information about the Key Steps in Performance Appraisal for AYE Registrants.
- NB: You can access word versions of all the AYE forms from Associated Resources
- NB: All forms should be signed and returned to the Social Care Council via email to registration@niscc.hscni.net
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What Next – Professional in Practice
Following successful completion of the AYE, a further condition is placed on NQSWs registration, requiring them to complete a minimum of two requirements of a relevant Award in the Professional in Practice Framework (PIP). This is known as the Mandatory Two Requirements.
PIP is a framework that enables social workers to undertake professional Awards and gain professional credits for a broad range of learning and development activities. These can be achieved through taught or self-directed study, supporting continuous professional learning and development.
The Mandatory Two Requirements must be achieved by the time of a social worker’s first three-year renewal, that is, 3 years after completing their AYE
See Professional in Practice Framework for more information about PiP and the Mandatory Two Requirements.
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Associated Resources
You can access key guidance and forms from the associated resources on the right-hand side of the page. This includes:
- AYE Guidance for Registrants and their Employers, October 2026
- Standards of Conduct and Practice for Social Workers (2015)
- Registration website (MyPortal)
- AYE forms
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Contact Us
If you need more information or guidance contact us at: AYE@niscc.hscni.net.
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Click here to return to the Social Worker – Assessed Year in Employment (AYE) main page.
Click here to go to Assessed Year in Employment (AYE) Employer – Responsibilities and Guidance.
Click here to go to Assessed Year in Employment (AYE) Audit – Responsibilities and Guidance.