Northamptonshire - QSW - Duty and Assessment Team

Overview

Northamptonshire Children’s Trust is seeking a Social Worker to join our Duty and Assessment Team (DAAT). This dynamic and fast‑paced frontline service serves as the single point of contact for all safeguarding concerns involving young people across Northamptonshire. The DAAT is integral to ensuring the safety and well‑being of children within the area and plays a key role in the initial assessments of safeguarding concerns.

You will be part of a dedicated team that works to promptly assess and intervene where necessary, providing crucial support to children and families.

As a Social Worker within this team, you will handle cases from the MASH service, which will then be passed to DAAT for further action. You will be expected to manage a caseload that is typically between 25‑30 cases, with no more than 35 cases assigned at any one time. Many families have multiple children, so you may only be working with a small number of families at a time, offering you a more manageable workload.

• Safeguarding:
  Work as part of a team to ensure all safeguarding concerns are investigated and managed in a timely and effective manner.
• Case Management:
  Carry out visits to children and families for Child in Need (CIN) cases within 5 days and Child Protection (CP) cases within 24 hours, or same day if possible.
• Assessment:
  Undertake assessments, develop intervention plans, and support families to address safeguarding issues.
• Collaboration:
  
  Work collaboratively with other professionals, ensuring a multi‑agency approach to safeguarding and child welfare.
• Duty Week:
  Participate in a 6‑week duty cycle, with one full week in the office during your duty week, and be local during visit time.
• Geographical Areas:
  Initially cover cases countywide; over time, manage cases within a specific geographical area (e.g., Daventry, Northampton Central, or Corby).

The DAAT is a stable, well‑supported service with an experienced and highly skilled team. The service is structured into 6 teams of around 8‑10 staff, including Team Managers, Advanced Practitioners, Social Workers, Newly Qualified Social Workers, and Family Support Workers. Team managers are time‑served, offering enhanced support and guidance.

At NCT, we are committed to supporting your professional development. Locum Social Workers can benefit from the same training opportunities as permanent staff, with access to training sessions based on your time served at the authority. This is an excellent opportunity to expand your skills and gain experience working within a well‑established and respected service.

• Caseload:
  Capped at 35, with typical caseloads sitting around 25‑30.
• Training:
  Access to training, including overspill from permanent training allocations.
• Support:
  Enhanced managerial and peer support from experienced Team Managers and Practitioners.

One Angel Square, Northampton NN1 1ED
.

• DBS check processed and paid for by Eden Brown Synergy.
• Referral bonus if you refer a colleague or friend to us.
• Bonus for finding your own job.
• Twice weekly payroll.
• Dedicated recruitment consultant who will support you throughout your job search, employment and beyond.

• Social Work Qualification – Degree or equivalent.
• At least 3 years’ experience as a social worker within children’s services.
• Social Work England Registration.
• Driving licence and access to own vehicle.

If you are interested in any of the above roles, please reply with your updated CV and earliest start date.