The Emergency Duty Team runs an out-of-hours service, responding to emergencies and safeguarding matters as part of the Northamptonshire Children’s Trust service to children and families. We are currently looking to recruit to our casual bank, which provides cover for available shifts as and when they arise. If you are looking for an additional role safeguarding children and families then please read on.

The positions within the team are Principal Social Worker (PSW) roles, and you will need to demonstrate that you are already working at a similar level in practice. The service operates a rota with shift patterns outside normal working hours, and you will need to be able to access Northampton town centre within one hour. The role requires you to have the safeguarding skills and social work experience necessary to provide an emergency out-of-hours service with minimal supervision. The ability and confidence to work autonomously are therefore paramount.

You will provide direction and support to sessional and unqualified staff. You will take the lead in strategy discussions and Section 47 child protection investigations, ensuring that services are delivered within legislative and statutory frameworks. You will have a broad range of experience within Children’s Services, as the out-of-hours service assesses and makes decisions across a wide-ranging statutory framework, including Early Help, Child in Need, Child Protection, Children in Care, Separated Children, and Public and Private law matters.

As a PSW, you will assess presenting information and concerns and decide on the most appropriate course of action to keep children and families safe until the next working day. You will progress enquiries and assessments in a time-sensitive manner, maintaining detailed, strengths-based records. You will demonstrate strong analytical thinking and work closely with partner agencies, sharing information and providing guidance and support as appropriate.

Get in Touch

We welcome the opportunity to speak to interested candidates. Please feel free to email Sarah Hunt, Team Manager, at Sarah.Hunt@NCTrust.co.uk, and a mutually convenient time can be arranged to discuss the role.Sarah.Hunt@NCTrust.co.uk

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:

• 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

In a rewarding, diverse, and complex environment, you will be part of a public-facing team working to ensure the safety of children and families. You will respond to a range of situations requiring emergency intervention that cannot wait until the following day.

You will be supported by an on-call Service Manager during each shift and will receive regular formal and informal supervision from the Team Manager. The team holds monthly meetings and development sessions four times a year. The Emergency Duty Team received positive feedback in the 2026 OFSTED inspection, reflecting the team's commitment to child-focused practice and positive outcomes for children.

West Northamptonshire- When children require help and protection out of office hours, they receive an effective and responsive service from the emergency duty team. This service has been strengthened since the last inspection, and has separated from adult services, so the focus is solely on the needs of children and their families.

North Northamptonshire - When children require help and protection out of office hours, they receive an effective and responsive service from the emergency duty team. Visits are undertaken to children when needed to ensure that they are safe and well, and the necessary steps are taken to safeguard their welfare. This service has been strengthened since its separation from adult services.  

You will be a confident and experienced Social Worker with excellent communication skills and strong written abilities. You will be able to listen effectively, work efficiently, and provide clarity to service users regarding the outcomes of referrals made to the service. You will promote a culture of continuous improvement and a service-user focus that delivers positive outcomes for children and families.

You will have a minimum of three years' post-qualifying child protection experience.

You must be a qualified Social Worker and be registered with Social Work England.

 Casual roles are paid an hourly rate in line with shift pattern.

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

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