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- Tasks: Join our Out of Hours Emergency Duty Team to manage urgent social work cases.
- Company: Be part of a compassionate team dedicated to safeguarding and supporting vulnerable individuals.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, professional development support, and a collaborative work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in crisis situations while growing your skills in a supportive setting.
- Qualifications: Must hold a recognised Social Work qualification and be registered with Social Work England.
- Other info: We offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups to promote diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 48618 - 57726 £ per year.
Are you a Senior Social Worker ready to embrace the fast-paced world of emergency practice? Do you enjoy working independently but still value being part of a supportive team? Are you seeking a role that encourages your professional growth - whether you're already an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) or working towards it? If yes, we have the perfect opportunity for you!
We are looking for an experienced Senior Social Worker to join our Out of Hours Emergency Duty Team and make a lasting difference. Come and be part of our team!
About the Team/Service
Our Out of Hours Emergency Duty Team is a small, close-knit group of highly skilled and compassionate Senior Social Workers. We manage urgent and complex cases with professionalism, empathy and care. Operating during evenings, weekends, and public holidays, we play a key role in safeguarding children, supporting vulnerable adults and responding to mental health crises.
We provide emergency social work support for urgent situations outside of normal working hours, including:
- Child protection concerns, urgent needs assessments, and cases involving homeless children and young people, in accordance with the Children Act 1989.
- Emergency mental health needs, including Mental Health Act assessments.
- Urgent assessments for older adults and individuals with physical or learning disabilities.
We are committed to supporting our team with the training, guidance and resources needed to thrive in this challenging and rewarding environment.
About the Role
This is a unique and fulfilling role in a fast-paced and varied setting - no two shifts are the same. Our service operates outside standard office hours (weekdays from 5:00pm to 9:00am, and 24 hours on weekends and Bank Holidays), covering both Children's and Adult Social Care emergencies. You'll work independently as a 'stand-alone' practitioner while coordinating with multi-agency partners as needed. Support and consultation from the team manager will be available for complex cases.
Key responsibilities include:
- Responding to emergency situations such as child protection concerns, Mental Health Act assessments and crises involving vulnerable adults or individuals with disabilities.
- Making informed decisions quickly while working autonomously.
- Coordinating multi-agency responses with guidance from the team manager on complex issues.
We welcome applications from qualified social workers with experience in either Children's or Adult Social Care. If you are not yet an AMHP, we offer full support, including training and academic development, to help you achieve this qualification.
About You
We're looking for a confident and experienced Senior Social Worker with strong post-qualification experience in managing complex, crisis-driven cases. You should be resilient, calm under pressure, and capable of working independently during out-of-hours shifts. Depending on your background, we'll support your continued professional development:
- If you come from Children's Social Care: You'll be supported to undertake a postgraduate course leading to AMHP qualification. This includes academic study alongside participation in the out-of-hours rota and a part-time daytime placement in a Mental Health Team.
- If you're already an AMHP with Adult Social Care experience: You'll be supported to gain experience in Children's Social Care through collaborative work with daytime teams.
To be successful in this role, you will need to:
- Hold a recognised Social Work qualification and current registration with Social Work England.
- Be able to manage a caseload of complex cases effectively.
- Produce high-quality written reports under pressure and to tight deadlines.
- Coordinate emergency responses efficiently and communicate clearly with partner agencies.
- Demonstrate professional curiosity, critical thinking and sound judgment.
- Comply with statutory duties, legislation, national guidance and local procedures.
If you are an AMHP in Adult Social Care or an experienced Senior Social Worker in Children's Social Care with a proven ability to manage urgent, high-risk situations, we would love to hear from you!
Contact Information: For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Kate Windows via email at.
Additional Information: Salary Range: GBP48,618 to GBP57,726 per annum (SCP 11 + 2 increments). 36 hours per week. DBS check is required for this position.
Recruitment Timeline: Advert close date: 11:59pm on Sunday 6 July 2025. Shortlisting date/s: week commencing 7 July 2025. Interview date/s: week commencing 14 July 2025. The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme: As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans.
- Are currently in care or have previously been in care.
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition.
Senior Social Worker - Out of Hours Emergency Duty Social Work Team employer: SOUTHWARK COUNCIL-1
Contact Detail:
SOUTHWARK COUNCIL-1 Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Social Worker - Out of Hours Emergency Duty Social Work Team
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges faced by the Out of Hours Emergency Duty Team. Understanding the unique pressures and types of cases they handle will help you demonstrate your readiness for this fast-paced environment during any discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former members of the team to gain insights into their experiences. This can provide you with valuable information about the role and help you articulate how your skills align with their needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight your crisis management skills in conversations or interviews. Be prepared to discuss specific examples where you've successfully navigated complex situations, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Show your commitment to professional development by mentioning any relevant training or courses you are pursuing, especially if you're working towards AMHP qualification. This demonstrates your dedication to growing within the field.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Social Worker - Out of Hours Emergency Duty Social Work Team
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in social work, particularly in emergency situations. Emphasise your ability to manage complex cases and any specific qualifications like AMHP if applicable.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for social work and your understanding of the role. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your skills in crisis management and working independently.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, focus on key skills such as decision-making under pressure, communication with multi-agency partners, and producing high-quality reports. These are crucial for the role and should be clearly articulated.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your professionalism and attention to detail, which is vital in social work.
How to prepare for a job interview at SOUTHWARK COUNCIL-1
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience in managing complex, crisis-driven cases. Highlight specific examples where you demonstrated resilience and effective decision-making under pressure.
✨Understand the Role
Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities of the Senior Social Worker position, especially those related to emergency situations. This will help you articulate how your skills align with the team's needs.
✨Demonstrate Professional Curiosity
During the interview, showcase your ability to think critically and ask insightful questions. This reflects your professional curiosity and commitment to understanding the complexities of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your judgement and decision-making skills in high-pressure situations. Practice articulating your thought process and the rationale behind your decisions.