Qualified Social Worker - DAAT

General Overview The Duty and Assessment Team (DAAT) is the frontline, single point of contact for all safeguarding referrals concerning young people within the local catchment area. Initial reports are screened by the MASH service before being passed on to DAAT. The service is made up of six teams, each containing around 8–10 staff members. Every team includes a Team Manager, an Advanced Practitioner, Social Workers, Newly Qualified Social Workers, and Family Support Workers. In terms of service expectations, all new assessments must include a visit within five days, while Child Protection (CP) cases require same-day contact. The service works at a fast pace to ensure every child is seen without delay. DAAT operates countywide across Northamptonshire. Although this can sound overwhelming to applicants, the service aims to offer long-term support by assigning workers to a specific geographical patch (e.g., Daventry, Northampton Central, Corby), so they only manage cases within that area. Working Arrangements The team works on a six-week duty rota. During their duty week, workers are required to be in the office for the full week and must remain local when completing visits. Office is based at One Angel Square – Northampton. Must be a driver and have access to own car. Team Culture DAAT at NCT is a stable and well-established service. Senior leadership is largely permanent, and the current locum Team Managers have each been in post for over two years, meaning all leaders are experienced and able to provide strong support. Caseloads are capped at 35, with current averages around 25–30. Caseloads are adjusted when needed, and many families have multiple children, so a social worker may be working with around five families at any one time. DAAT offers training opportunities to locum staff through available spaces in permanent-staff training. Access to training is prioritised based on length of service. Only candidates with a minimum of two years’ DAAT experience will be considered for locum positions.