Team Manager - Duty and Assessment Team
CV-LibraryNorthamptonshiretemporaryPosted: 9 April 2026
Apply NowAbout the Role
Northampton Children's Trust is seeking an experienced and motivated Team Manager to lead its Duty and Assessment Team. This is an exciting opportunity for a strong leader with a passion for safeguarding and early intervention to make a real impact on the lives of children and families.
As Team Manager within the Duty and Assessment Team, you will provide strategic and operational leadership to ensure high-quality social work practice at the front door of children's services. You will be responsible for overseeing assessments, managing risk, and ensuring timely and appropriate decision-making in line with statutory requirements.
You will play a key role in driving performance, supporting staff development, and maintaining excellent standards of safeguarding practice within a fast-paced environment.
Key Responsibilities
Lead, manage, and support a team of social workers and practitioners within the Duty and Assessment service
Oversee the receipt, screening, and progression of referrals
Ensure high-quality assessments are completed within statutory timescales
Provide reflective supervision, guidance, and professional challenge to staff
Support decision-making in complex safeguarding cases
Monitor performance, quality assurance, and compliance with legislation and local procedures
Work collaboratively with multi-agency partners to ensure effective safeguarding responses
Promote a child-centred, strengths-based, and outcome-focused approach
Contribute to service development and continuous improvementAbout You
Qualified Social Worker with Social Work England registration
Significant post‑qualifying experience within Duty and Assessment or similar frontline teams
Previous experience in a management or leadership role
Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation, policy, and statutory guidance
Confident decision-maker with excellent leadership and communication skills
Committed to delivering high-quality outcomes for children and familiesIf you thrive to make a difference and have 3 years Social worker experience and this is the role for you, then we would love to hear from you
Northampton Children's Trust is seeking an experienced and motivated Team Manager to lead its Duty and Assessment Team. This is an exciting opportunity for a strong leader with a passion for safeguarding and early intervention to make a real impact on the lives of children and families.
As Team Manager within the Duty and Assessment Team, you will provide strategic and operational leadership to ensure high-quality social work practice at the front door of children's services. You will be responsible for overseeing assessments, managing risk, and ensuring timely and appropriate decision-making in line with statutory requirements.
You will play a key role in driving performance, supporting staff development, and maintaining excellent standards of safeguarding practice within a fast-paced environment.
Key Responsibilities
Lead, manage, and support a team of social workers and practitioners within the Duty and Assessment service
Oversee the receipt, screening, and progression of referrals
Ensure high-quality assessments are completed within statutory timescales
Provide reflective supervision, guidance, and professional challenge to staff
Support decision-making in complex safeguarding cases
Monitor performance, quality assurance, and compliance with legislation and local procedures
Work collaboratively with multi-agency partners to ensure effective safeguarding responses
Promote a child-centred, strengths-based, and outcome-focused approach
Contribute to service development and continuous improvementAbout You
Qualified Social Worker with Social Work England registration
Significant post‑qualifying experience within Duty and Assessment or similar frontline teams
Previous experience in a management or leadership role
Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation, policy, and statutory guidance
Confident decision-maker with excellent leadership and communication skills
Committed to delivering high-quality outcomes for children and familiesIf you thrive to make a difference and have 3 years Social worker experience and this is the role for you, then we would love to hear from you