Emergency Duty Team Social Worker (EDT) in Gateshead

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 and 16:30 Friday to 09:00 on the following Monday, covering all bank holidays.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Qualifications

• 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, the Mental Health Act, the Mental Capacity Act and the 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.

Benefits and Salary

• Competitive Salary: £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: Find out what benefits a Local Government Pension provides.
• Generous Annual Leave: 28 days of annual leave, rising to 32 days after 5 years plus hours equivalent to 8 bank holidays, plus the option to buy up to 10 extra days.
• Flexible Working Hours: Up to 26 flexi days per year (subject to business needs).
• Hybrid & Flexible Working: Support for a healthy work‑life balance with flexible and hybrid working options.
• Learning & Development: Wide range of training, development and progression opportunities.
• Health & Wellbeing Support: Discounted gym memberships through our partner GLL, mental health resources and more.
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Tax‑efficient scheme to purchase a bicycle.
• Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme: Cost‑effective, environmentally friendly vehicle provision via salary sacrifice with NHS Fleet Solutions after 12 months of service.
• Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice: Use of the VIVUP employee benefits platform for discounts on shopping, travel and services, and salary sacrifice options on white goods, electronics and more (eligible after 6 months of service).