About the Team
We have a wonderful Duty and Assessment Team (DAAT) at Northamptonshire Children’s Trust. The DAAT is the single point of contact for all safeguarding concerns relating to children and young people in the area. Professionals from a range of services that have contact with children, young people, their families and carers collaborate to ensure immediate and prompt responses, keeping children safe from harm.
With a rotating duty element, the team works at pace, completing robust short‑term quality assessments of need and ensuring the right service provision is in place. Skilled social workers in these teams are friendly and confident professionals who can work collaboratively under tight deadlines and keep the child’s voice central. DAAT consists of six teams, each led by a Team Manager and an Advanced Practitioner who manages complex cases and supports five or six Social Workers / Senior Social Workers and a newly qualified Social Worker.
The team collaborates with other professionals to meet urgent needs, leveraging combined expertise to keep children and young people safe. We support excellence in social work practice, adopting a new approach that includes Signs of Safety and Systemic practice, alongside clear personal development opportunities for suitable candidates.
Why Join Us
Managers are always present and available to support the team, and we foster a supportive, fun culture that values teamwork, shared lunches and laughter. Food is always available to keep us energized while we work at pace and meet tight deadlines.
Responsibilities
You will be the front‑line, single point of contact for the public and professionals making referrals about children at risk of significant harm or in need. Working with a broad range of agencies and services in the region, you will respond to new referrals from both professionals and members of the public.
You will also work with children and young people on a short‑term basis after the initial referral until your cases transfer from DAAT to other teams.
About You
To be considered you must be a qualified social worker who has completed the ASYE, is registered with Social Work England and is committed to delivering best practice and support to children and families.
You will be an effective communicator, building positive, strength‑based relationships with a diverse range of children, young people and families. You will be confident in your analysis and decision‑making, providing purposeful and effective social care with the support of experienced colleagues and managers.
At NCT
At Northamptonshire Children’s Trust, children, young people and families are at the heart of all we do. We are committed to building a skilled, knowledgeable, and flexible workforce, promoting innovation and creativity while keeping families central to every decision and action.
We value our colleagues and empower them to do the best job of their lives each day, within a culture of support, kindness and celebration of achievements. We are a disability confident employer and guarantee an interview to care‑leavers who meet the essential criteria.
Benefits
* SWE Registration paid yearly (social care colleagues)
* Recruitment welcome bonus of £6,000
* Relocation costs of up to £8,000
* Retention bonus payments for established personnel
* 28 days annual leave, plus 8 bank holidays (pro‑rated for part‑time) and an additional 5 days after 5 years
* Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill‑health pension protection
* Opportunity to purchase up to 25 days annual leave
* Employee assistance programme – run by Health Assured, an independent external organisation, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
* Employee discounts with local and national retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more
* Flexible and family‑working arrangements including enhanced maternity benefits
* A permanent, supportive and inclusive management team that empowers good professional decisions
* Extensive learning & development and career development opportunities
* Subsidised town‑centre car parking scheme
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