At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide urgent social work support to safeguard children and vulnerable adults in crisis.
- Company: Join Gateshead Council, a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to community wellbeing.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, flexible working, and excellent pension scheme.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to equality and community service.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while enjoying a supportive work environment.
- Qualifications: Social Work qualification, registration, and experience in statutory social work required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Who We Are & What We Stand For
Do you want to help make Gateshead a place where everyone thrives? If that sounds like you, keep reading - we might be the perfect match. We’re delighted that you’re interested in working with us. You’d be joining us at a very exciting time. We pride ourselves on our ambitious and forward‑thinking approach to taking care of Gateshead and its people, and we passionately believe that our employees reflect that spirit in truly enabling Gateshead to thrive. At Gateshead Council you’d be a highly valued member of a team that recognises and respects the skills that you bring to your role, encourages creativity and passionately advocates a great work/life balance. Our actions speak louder than words, and with flexi‑time and hybrid working available across many of our roles, as well as a full suite of outstanding employee benefits, we’re confident that it isn’t just the salary that attracts our staff.
Out of hours, at the heart of protecting people. The Emergency Duty Team (EDT) sits within Children’s Services and provides a critical out‑of‑hours response to safeguard children, adults and families when urgent needs cannot wait until the next working day. The team supports people in crisis including those experiencing child protection concerns, mental health issues, risks to vulnerable adults, or emergency situations such as police detentions or homelessness. The Service Operates 7 Days a Week, From 17:00 to 09:00 Monday to Thursday 16:30 Friday to 09:00 on Monday morning Covering all bank holidays. Working largely independently on shift, EDT social workers are supported by managers and an on‑call senior manager, and collaborate closely with a wide range of partners including police, health services, housing, foster carers, and out‑of‑hours care providers. The team plays a vital role in ensuring safety, coordinating emergency responses, and arranging immediate support through a strong multi‑agency approach.
What You Will Get To Do
- Provide urgent out‑of‑hours social work support to safeguard children, families and vulnerable adults.
- Assess risk and make timely decisions to protect the safety, wellbeing and liberty of individuals in crisis situations.
- Work collaboratively with families, carers and multi‑agency partners (including police, health and housing) to deliver effective emergency responses.
- Coordinate and arrange emergency resources and interventions to meet immediate needs until the next working day.
- Maintain accurate records, ensure clear handovers, and contribute to good practice by sharing knowledge, research and learning.
- Work across Children’s and Adult Services, liaising with out‑of‑hours provision such as Care Call, foster carers, housing services and intermediate care.
- Participate in training, supervision and service development, including supporting students and mentoring colleagues.
- Work flexibly as part of a rota covering evenings, weekends and bank holidays, including lone working with management support available.
- Uphold statutory duties and professional standards in safeguarding children and adults, using sound judgement and autonomy in complex situations.
What You Will Bring
- A recognised Social Work qualification, Social Work England registration, AMHP qualification (or willingness to work towards), enhanced DBS, and a full driving licence with access to a vehicle.
- Strong knowledge of legislation and frameworks across children’s and adults’ services, including safeguarding, Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and Care Act.
- Experience of statutory social work, including risk assessment, safeguarding practice, and managing complex and competing demands independently.
- Ability to work autonomously under pressure, make sound decisions, and take responsibility in high‑risk, time‑critical situations.
- Effective communication and partnership working skills, with the ability to collaborate across multiple agencies and services.
- Strong understanding of key social issues including mental health, domestic abuse, substance misuse, disability, and their impact on individuals and families.
- Personal resilience, emotional intelligence, and a reflective, flexible approach with commitment to out‑of‑hours working patterns.
What’s In It For You
- Competitive Salary: We offer fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience. £61,683 - £65,315 inclusive of an EDT allowance and a Temporary 15% R&R allowance pro rata to hours worked. Bank holidays are paid at double time.
- Outstanding Pension Scheme: We don’t just offer a great salary we invest in your future too.
- Generous Annual Leave: Enjoy 28 days of annual leave, rising to 32 days after 5 years plus hours which are the equivalent of 8 bank holidays, 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.
- Hybrid & Flexible Working: We support a healthy work‑life balance with flexible and hybrid working options.
- 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.
- 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.
Our commitment to you
We are an equal opportunities employer and aim to have a culture and a workplace where our people feel a sense of belonging, are respected and empowered to do their best work. We know that we deliver better services when our workforce reflects the full range of backgrounds and experiences in the society we serve. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
How To Apply
You can apply online using the apply now button below. Within the form, you’ll be asked for details about you, your career history, skills, experiences and qualifications. We advise you to be as detailed and specific as possible, paying particular attention to any of the above which are relevant to the role to which you are applying. If you have any questions about your application, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our recruitment team.
Please note: As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. However, in high‑volume recruitment situations, it may not always be practicable to interview every eligible candidate. In such cases, we may need to prioritise those who best meet the essential criteria, based on the information provided in the application. Additionally, the Council reserves the right to close this vacancy early or adjust the shortlisting criteria, including the pass mark for interview selection, to ensure a fair and manageable recruitment process. We encourage early applications.
Emergency Duty Team Social Worker / AMHP (EDT) in Gateshead employer: Gateshead Council
Gateshead Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of its employees, offering a supportive work culture that values creativity and work/life balance. With competitive salaries, generous annual leave, and flexible working options, staff are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact in the community. The Emergency Duty Team provides unique opportunities for social workers to engage in critical out-of-hours support, ensuring safety and well-being for vulnerable individuals in crisis situations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Emergency Duty Team Social Worker / AMHP (EDT) in Gateshead
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Gateshead Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Gateshead Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Gateshead Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Gateshead Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Emergency Duty Team Social Worker / AMHP (EDT) in Gateshead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Gateshead Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Gateshead Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Gateshead Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
