This is for you if you are a newly qualified social worker who has just been allocated their first family to work with. That stomach-drop moment? It's completely normal—and I'm here to walk you through it.

Inside this episode:

• What to do immediately after seeing that first family in your inbox
• How to process the nerves, self-doubt, and emotional overwhelm
• The simple but vital question to ask: what area of the law am I working under?
• Why clear supervision is essential—and how to confidently ask for it
• Steps to prepare for your first visit while staying relationship-focused
• How your emotions impact the people you’re working with (and how to use that power positively)

I am sharing a behind the scenes insight to ASYE Core Skills Training and talk about The Social Work Collective Academy—a resource-packed space to support new social workers through every step of their first year.

Lets connect!

To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email [email protected]

Sign up to my free newsletter

Join The Collective

Ebook Guides

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin

Instagram.com/@vickishevlin_

Youtube.com/@socialworksorted

Facebook.com/socialworksorted

Disclaimer

Thank you so much for listening.

Please rate, review and share with one other person - it makes such a difference and I really appreciate your support.

In this episode I'm offering a practical, compassionate guide to help newly qualified social workers feel more confident about assessment work—especially child and family assessments.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why assessments feel overwhelming—and why that’s totally normal
• The statutory guidance you must know 
• Why local authority policies can be your secret weapon during disagreements
• The limitations of the 25-year-old assessment triangle—and how to think critically
• How to avoid “assessment robot” mode and connect meaningfully with families
• Practical steps to build confidence in planning, assessing, and recording

I'm also excited to share upcoming ASYE Core Skills Training, a two-day online course designed to offer a consistent, supportive induction for new social workers—perfect for individuals or local authorities looking to strengthen their training offer.

Resources mentioned:

• Free eBook: Getting Started with Assessments

https://www.socialworksorted.com/free-ebook

• Child and Family Assessment Guide

https://www.socialworksorted.com/product-page/childandfamilyassessmentguide

• ASYE Core Skills Training (24–25 September 2025)

https://www.socialworksorted.com/event-details/asye-core-skills-clarity-and-confidence-for-early-practice

Lets connect!

To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email [email protected]

Sign up to my free newsletter

Join The Collective

Ebook Guides

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin

Instagram.com/@vickishevlin_

Youtube.com/@socialworksorted

Facebook.com/socialworksorted

Disclaimer

Thank you so much for listening.

Please rate, review and share with one other person - it makes such a difference and I really appreciate your support.

In this episode I talk about this quote by Rebekah Pierre (and do a terrible job of remembering it in the moment) but its important to reference it properly: 

"Perhaps you saw the screen in front of you as the final destination. It was not; your words, written about but without me, would not remain hidden forever."

It's from this article: https://basw.co.uk/articles/open-letter-social-worker-who-wrote-my-case-files

Boundaries:

https://www.socialworksorted.com/post/about-me-deciding-non-negotiable-boundaries-part-5

Case records: 

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1926820

Child Protection Processes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZA4ZNLXnEs

12 weeks to Confidence in Practice

Available for members of The Collective Learning Hub - Join here

ASYE Core Skills Training 

Book your place

Enquire about group booking

Lets connect!

To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email [email protected]

Sign up to my free newsletter

Join The Collective

Ebook Guides

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin

Instagram.com/@vickishevlin_

Youtube.com/@socialworksorted

Facebook.com/socialworksorted

Disclaimer

Thank you so much for listening.

Please rate, review and share with one other person - it makes such a difference and I really appreciate your support.

A bitesize learning episode to support you in practice. 

To book ASYE Core Skills training head here:

https://www.socialworksorted.com/event-details/asye-core-skills-clarity-and-confidence-for-early-practice

Lets connect!

To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email [email protected]

Sign up to my free newsletter

Join The Collective

Ebook Guides

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin

Instagram.com/@vickishevlin_

Youtube.com/@socialworksorted

Facebook.com/socialworksorted

Disclaimer

Thank you so much for listening.

Please rate, review and share with one other person - it makes such a difference and I really appreciate your support.

The instagram trend 'propaganda I'm not falling for' caught my eye and I couldn't help but post a social worker version. 

In this episode I'm unpicking some of the statements and sharing why I included them. 

References:

https://thestudentsocialworkhub.wordpress.com/2020/07/25/social-workers-as-super-heroes/

Lets connect!

To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email [email protected]

Sign up to my free newsletter

Join The Collective

Ebook Guides

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin

Instagram.com/@vickishevlin_

Youtube.com/@socialworksorted

Facebook.com/socialworksorted

Disclaimer

Thank you so much for listening.

Please rate, review and share with one other person - it makes such a difference and I really appreciate your support.

The Truth About Confidence, Competence, and Calm

In this episode, I’m talking about the real truth behind three words that are at the heart of The Social Work Collective Academy: Confidence, Competence, and Calm.

These aren’t just buzzwords – they’re the foundation for thriving in your first year as a social worker. I’m breaking down why confidence is often misunderstood (especially through a gendered lens), why competence is the key that so many new social workers are missing, and why calm is about regulation – not silence.

You’ll hear reflections, practical insights, and a bit of storytelling (yes, there's a Grease reference), plus how these values are built into every aspect of the Academy.

Whether you're newly qualified or still studying, this episode will help you rethink what it means to feel ready for practice.

🎧 Tap play and let’s get into it.

Lets connect!

To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email [email protected]

Sign up to my free newsletter

Join The Collective

Ebook Guides

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin

Instagram.com/@vickishevlin_

Youtube.com/@socialworksorted

Facebook.com/socialworksorted

Disclaimer

Thank you so much for listening.

Please rate, review and share with one other person - it makes such a difference and I really appreciate your support.

Lets connect!

To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email [email protected]

Sign up to my free newsletter

Join The Collective

Ebook Guides

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin

Instagram.com/@vickishevlin_

Youtube.com/@socialworksorted

Facebook.com/socialworksorted

Disclaimer

Thank you so much for listening.

Please rate, review and share with one other person - it makes such a difference and I really appreciate your support.

The waiting list for The Social Work Collective Academy is now open: 

Join The Collective

If you are interested in an organisation licence please email me [email protected]

Lets connect!

To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email [email protected]

Sign up to my free newsletter

Join The Collective

Ebook Guides

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin

Instagram.com/@vickishevlin_

Youtube.com/@socialworksorted

Facebook.com/socialworksorted

Disclaimer

Thank you so much for listening.

Please rate, review and share with one other person - it makes such a difference and I really appreciate your support.

I think balance is a myth and if I need to prioritise one thing in my life, then something else will have to come second. I'm ok with that, are you?

And if we give ourselves permission to not do it all - can we extend that same level of empathy to the families we work with?

Talking about all this in the episode - let me know your thoughts! 

The Social Work Collective Academy 

Join The Collective

Lets connect!

To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email [email protected]

Sign up to my free newsletter

Join The Collective

Ebook Guides

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin

Instagram.com/@vickishevlin_

Youtube.com/@socialworksorted

Facebook.com/socialworksorted

Disclaimer

Thank you so much for listening.

Please rate, review and share with one other person - it makes such a difference and I really appreciate your support.

I love being in conversation with new social workers, and naturally the topics that come up a lot are the challenges in day to day practice.

In this episode I'm sharing 3 of the biggest struggles for new social workers - in the hope that when you are aware of them - you can do something about it! 

Listen here if you are student, new social worker or someone who works in a supportive role helping social workers to thrive! 

Sign up to the waiting list for The Social Work Collective Academy:

https://www.socialworksorted.com/thecollective 

Lets connect!

To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email [email protected]

Sign up to my free newsletter

Join The Collective

Ebook Guides

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin

Instagram.com/@vickishevlin_

Youtube.com/@socialworksorted

Facebook.com/socialworksorted

Disclaimer

Thank you so much for listening.

Please rate, review and share with one other person - it makes such a difference and I really appreciate your support.