49% of ASYE social workers promised a protected caseload don’t have one, survey finds

Community Care survey finds a majority of social workers doing their first year in employment often had less than three hours of supervision a month. Almost half of social workers on their assessed and supported year in employment (ASYE) did not have a protected caseload, despite their employer promising one, a Community Care survey has revealed. The survey of 640 social workers undertaking or having just finished their ASYE found 82% had a commitment to protected caseloads from their employer, but 49% were not experiencing one. The ASYE was introduced in 2012 on the back of recommendations by the Social Work Task Force in 2009 as a way of better supporting new social workers into the profession. It is not mandatory, but local authorities receive a £2,000 grant per social worker employed on an ASYE from the government. Read more.