Senior Practitioner - Emergency Duty Service
Permanent, Full Time
£48,205 to £57,988 per annum
Location: Countywide
Working Style: Community-based worker
The Emergency Duty Service
We are the Emergency Duty Service, providing support outside of normal office hours, including evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays.
Our team is made up of experienced Managers and Practitioners who are qualified across all areas of social work. All team members are Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHPs), enabling us to respond to urgent requests for assessments under the Mental Health Act.
We are supported by a dedicated team of advisors who handle incoming calls, gather key information, and provide initial advice or direct enquiries to the Social Work team as appropriate.
Working on a 7-day rota, we respond to emergency situations across Essex and deliver services to Southend Borough Council. A small daytime support team ensures smooth handovers to day services and maintains strong links with partner agencies.
This role is based at Chelmsford with travel required across the county to meet wherever you may be required. Flexibility is essential, as you will work on a 6-week rolling rota that includes evenings, weekends, bank holidays, and key periods such as Christmas and New Year. This role will require working 4 weekends out of 6.
There is an additional 15% flat rate allowance based on the basic salary and a £2,400 AMHP payment with this role. We are happy to consider job share options with individuals.
The Experience You Will Bring
- Social Work Degree or equivalent and Social Work England registration as a qualified Social Worker.
- Applicants must be qualified as an Approved Mental Health Professional under the 1983 Mental Health Act (as amended).
- Experience of direct work with children and families and preferably child protection investigation work.
- Experience and knowledge of work with vulnerable adults.
- Experience of working in a Duty Team.
- An ability to work under pressure and to organise practice workload effectively.
- Strong communication skills in writing and orally suitable to context.
- Ability to empower children and their carers to enable their full participation in work undertaken.
- Knowledge of current Community Care practice and multi-agency systems of Assessment and Care Management for older people and vulnerable adults.
- Knowledge and understanding of relevant policy and recent research findings across all client specialisms.
- A commitment to anti-oppressive behaviour, practice and management.
- Willingness and ability to work in an open manner as part of a team, with a commitment to sharing and working alongside staff in your own and other organisations while recognising own management responsibilities.
- Ability to approach work and duties in a culture of flexibility.
The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area, including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings, and to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.
Benefits
Once you secure a role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.
Equal Opportunities
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We are committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. We also commit to interview all veterans and care leavers who meet the minimum requirements of the role. Please speak to our recruiters if you require reasonable adjustments during the process.
Safeguarding and Wellbeing
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
DBS Check
If your role requires a DBS check, you will be required to register with the DBS update service.
