Child and Family Social Work Practitioner - EDT

Overview

The Emergency Duty Team provides critical out-of-hours social work services to safeguard and support vulnerable children, families, and adults in urgent need. Operating evenings, weekends, and bank holidays, EDT ensures that those facing crisis receive timely intervention, protection, and care when regular services are unavailable. Our team works collaboratively across agencies to deliver safe, effective emergency responses and uphold statutory duties.

• Provide out-of-hours urgent social work services to safeguard the liberty, well-being, and safety of vulnerable children, their families, and adults in need of urgent support.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure timely handovers, demonstrating strong awareness of local policies and procedures. Promote good practice by sharing emerging research, case law, and policy changes across the service.
• Work collaboratively with professionals and agencies to deliver safe emergency responses, partnering with families/carers and key agencies in decision-making and planning.
• Join up with colleagues across Children's Services, Adult Services, and other Council teams to deliver high-quality assessments and interventions. This includes working with out-of-hours services such as Care Call, housing/homeless services, EDT foster carers, Rapid Response home care, and intermediate care facilities.
• Identify and organise resources creatively to meet assessed needs in emergencies, ensuring welfare and safety until the next working day.
• Participate in mandatory and elective training to maintain professional development, and actively engage in supervision and service meetings.
• Support education and development by mentoring student and sessional social workers, assisting with inductions, and providing professional support to other Council services out of hours. Act as a senior worker on shift, supported by an on-call senior management rota.
• Contribute to the operational delivery of the service, working as part of a rota system covering evenings, weekends, and bank holidays, ensuring full coverage at all times.
• Uphold professional standards when protecting vulnerable adults and children in line with statutory duties. Work agilely and independently, including lone working, using technology securely and confidentially.

• Qualified Social Worker with Social Work England registration and post-qualifying experience.
• Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) qualification.
• Strong knowledge of children's and adult legislation, safeguarding procedures, and risk assessment. (Children:
  Childcare legislation, Children Act, child protection procedures, safeguarding, child development, multi-agency responsibilities. Adults:
  Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act, Care Act, safeguarding adults procedures, risk assessment.
• Proven ability to manage risk, prioritise competing demands, and work autonomously under pressure.
• Experience delivering statutory social work interventions and collaborating across agencies.
• Enhanced DBS clearance, current driving licence, and access to a vehicle.
• Resilient, reflective, and committed to continuous professional development.

• Competitive Salary:
  We offer fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience salary £45,091 - £48,226 plus a 15% R & R allowance. You will also receive an EDT allowance of £9,856. Bank Holiday work is paid at double time.
• Outstanding Pension Scheme:
  We don't just offer a great salary - we invest in your future too. Find out what benefits a Local Government Pension provides:
• Generous Annual Leave:
  Enjoy 28 days of annual leave, rising to 32 days after 5 years (2 of which can be fixed by the Council), plus the option to buy up to 10 extra days.
• Flexible
  
  Working Hours:
  
  Benefit from up to 26 flexi days per year (subject to business needs), giving you more control over your time.
• Learning & Development:
  Access a wide range of training, development, and progression opportunities to help you grow your career.
• Health & Wellbeing Support:
  From discounted gym memberships through our partner GLL to mental health resources, we care about your wellbeing.
• Cycle to Work Scheme:
  Save money and stay active with our tax-efficient cycle to work programme.
• Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme:
  Get behind the wheel of a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle through our salary sacrifice car scheme in partnership with NHS Fleet Solutions - a cost-effective, environmentally friendly way to drive (after 12 months service).
• Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice:
  Through our VIVUP employee benefits platform, enjoy discounts on shopping, travel, and services - plus salary sacrifice options on white goods, electronics, and more, helping you spread the cost of essential purchases (after 6 months service).