About the role
We have a wonderful Duty and Assessment Team (DAAT) here at Northamptonshire Children’s Trust!
Duty and assessment team is the single point of contact for all safeguarding concerns relating to children and young people in Northamptonshire.
Professionals from a range of services that have contact with children, young people, their families and carers, collaborate to ensure immediate and prompt responses; their combined knowledge and expertise keeping children and young people in Northamptonshire safe from harm.
With a rotating duty element, the team works at pace, completing robust short-term quality assessments of need, ensuring the right service provision is in place. Skilled social workers in these teams are friendly and confident professionals, who can work collaboratively to very tight deadlines, and ensure the child’s voice is evident throughout.
There are 6 teams within DAAT, each team consists of a Team Manager, Advanced Practitioner, who holds complex cases and supports 5 or 6 Social Workers / Senior Social Workers and a Newly Qualified Social Worker within their team.
We collaborate with other professionals to ensure immediate and prompt responses. Their combined knowledge and expertise keep children and young people in Northamptonshire safe from harm. We are supporting excellence in Social Work practice, with a new practice approach including, signs of safety and systemic practice, and clear personal development opportunities for the right candidates.
About the team
Our DAAT teams are fun and supportive. They work hard and at pace, but they always ensure that there is food available to keep them going! The team enjoy each other's company and like having a bit of time now and again to have a laugh, often bonding over a shared lunch. Managers within DAAT are always present and available for the team and pitch in to support whenever required.
What will you be doing?
We provide the front line, single point of contact for the public and professionals who are making referrals with concerns for children who are at risk of significant harm or who are children in need. Working with a broad range of agencies and services in our region, you will be responsible for responding to new referrals from professionals and members of the public.
You will have the opportunity to work with children and young people on a short-term basis after the initial referral until your cases transfer from the DAAT to other teams.
What will you be doing?
We provide the front line, single point of contact for the public and professionals who are making referrals with concerns for children who are at risk of significant harm or who are children in need. Working with a broad range of agencies and services in our region, you will be responsible for responding to new referrals from professionals and members of the public.
You will have the opportunity to work with children and young people on a short-term basis after the initial referral until your cases transfer from the DAAT to other teams.
About you
You will be a qualified social worker, who has completed your ASYE. Registered with Social Work England and have the commitment and passion to be at the forefront of delivering best practice and support to children and families.
As a Senior Social Worker, you will be an integral part of a highly skilled team responsible for responding to referrals, conducting initial assessments, and providing interventions to children and families in need. You will have the opportunity to lead and support a team of social workers, working collaboratively to ensure the safety and well-being of children across the county.
You will have awareness of the main legislative framework within which the role operates and knowledge of the range of services which are available to children and families and of the organisational framework within which they are provided.
Ideally you will have gained extensive post qualification experience of children and families social work within a statutory or voluntary organisation and will have proven ability to relate professionally with children and families evidenced through previous work as a Social Worker.
Experience of supporting those in less experienced roles in a social work environment would be desirable.
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore subject to an enhanced DBS certificate. It is also a regulated activity and will be subject to a Barred List check
Our benefits
We are committed to continuous improvement, building a skilled, knowledgeable, and flexible workforce alongside promoting innovation and creativity whilst keeping children, young people and families at the heart of all we do.
We really value our workforce and offer you a great benefits package including:
- 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 rata 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 - We have an employee support programme run by Health Assured, an independent, external organisation. Health Assured is available for you and your immediate family members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, legal advice, bereavement support and medical information.
- 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 where you will be empowered to make good professional decisions
- Extensive Learning & Development and career development opportunities
- Subsidised town centre car parking scheme
About us
At Northamptonshire Children’s Trust, children, young people and families are at the heart of everything we do. Every decision we make and every action we take is guided by our commitment to delivering high-quality services that make a lasting difference to the lives of children, young people and families across Northamptonshire.
We know that our people are our greatest strength. Our workforce is at the centre of our success, and we are committed to creating an environment where colleagues feel valued, supported and empowered to do the best job of their lives every day. We foster a culture built on kindness, collaboration and trust, where achievements are recognised, ideas are welcomed and innovation is encouraged.
We are proud of the positive impact we make together and delighted that our work has been recognised by Ofsted, with an Outstanding rating for Leadership and Management and Good ratings across Help and Protection, Children in Care and Care Leavers.
At NCT equality, diversity and inclusion are part of us and in everything we do, to enable all colleagues to develop and thrive in our organisation. We are a Disability Confident employer and have a commitment to care leavers, who we guarantee an interview if they meet the essential criteria.
If you are passionate about making a difference and want to be part of an ambitious, supportive and forward-thinking organisation, Northamptonshire Children’s Trust could be the place for you.
Supporting Children – A Career That Matters
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