Child and Family Social Work Practitioner - EDT in Gateshead

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.

Qualifications

• 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.
• 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.

Benefits

• Competitive Salary: £45,091 - £48,226 plus a 15% R & R allowance and an EDT allowance of £9,856. Bank Holiday work is paid at double time.
• Outstanding Pension Scheme: A great salary with investment in your future.
• Generous Annual Leave: 28 days of annual leave, rising to 32 days after 5 years, plus the option to buy up to 10 extra days.
• Flexible Working Hours: Up to 26 flexi days per year, subject to business needs.
• Learning & Development: Access to a wide range of training, development, and progression opportunities.
• Health & Wellbeing Support: Discounted gym memberships and mental health resources.
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Tax-efficient cycle to work programme.
• Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme: Salary sacrifice car scheme for electric or hybrid vehicles.
• Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice: Discounts on shopping, travel, and services through our VIVUP employee benefits platform.