Learning from Research Seminar: Hybrid Working for Newly Qualified Social Workers NQSWs

This research seminar is open to members of the West Midlands Social Work Teaching Partnership. Please see below our Partner organisations.

Between June 2024 and July 2025, Emma conducted an internal qualitative service evaluation to better understand how hybrid approaches to work are affecting learning, wellbeing, team integration, and professional development for NQSWs.

Through semi‑structured online interviews with six NQSWs working across local authority and NHS Trust adult social care teams, Emma carried out a rich thematic analysis to explore both the benefits and challenges of hybrid working during this crucial first year in practice.

This seminar will highlight important messages for contemporary social work:

• Getting the first year right matters for confidence, competence, and future retention.

• NQSWs learn best when they have access to experienced colleagues, especially in shared physical spaces.

• Balancing hybrid arrangements with structured support and opportunities for informal learning can strengthen development across the whole team.

• 
  

Emma brings a practitioner‑researcher perspective, completing this study alongside her full‑time social work role. Her presentation is designed to be:

• Accessible to busy practitioners who may not have time to unpack academic literature.

• Practical, highlighting ways teams can apply research insights directly to their support of NQSWs.

• Reflective, encouraging practitioners and leaders to think critically about hybrid working and its impact.

Whether you are a manager, practice educator, social worker, or part of a workforce development team, this seminar will offer valuable insights on how to build supportive hybrid environments for the next generation of social workers.

Partner organisations:

Birmingham Children's Trust

Birmingham City Council

Birmingham City University

City of Stoke-on-Trent Council

City of Wolverhampton Council

Coventry City Council

Coventry University

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

Keele University

Sandwell Children's Trust

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

Staffordshire County Council

Staffordshire University

Telford & Wrekin Council

University College Birmingham

University of Birmingham

University of Warwick

University of Wolverhampton

University of Worcester

Walsall Council

Warwickshire County Council

Worcestershire County Council