In Lambeth, we are focused on practice that builds relationships, enables and supports change for families, and promotes children’s' and adults’ wellbeing and development. We believe we can achieve this by working with families and children openly and collaboratively.
The Out of Hours Social Work Team is responsible for dealing with all social services emergencies and statutory duties that arises outside normal office hours. Their role is to carry out an initial assessment of the presenting situation and establish a safe and viable solution pending follow up by the daytime services. This role includes the out of hour’s workers carrying out Mental Health Act Assessment under the Mental Health Act.
This is an exciting opportunity to join Lambeth Emergency Duty Team (EDT) as a social worker. The team provides a statutory out of hours emergency response to children, young people and their families where their circumstances require immediate intervention that cannot wait until the next working day. As such, the team plays a pivotal role in safeguarding and supporting our most vulnerable residents.
The Role
As a qualified experienced Social Worker, you will have a broad and detailed knowledge of all statutory functions of Social Care and Health Services (including legislation, policy, and procedures). Whilst on duty you will triage and prioritise incoming work ensuring that the appropriate response is made in line with policy and procedure and using your professional judgement. Working with complex situations that require thorough and robust risk assessments, crisis intervention and decision-making.
The core focus of this role is to be the single point of contact for the social care service for children, adults, young people, and mental health, out of hours.
About You
You will provide a service to individuals and families in social crisis which requires an immediate and/or urgent response, using social work methods, models and tools.
You will require excellent communication skills, the ability to work autonomously and to respond swiftly to emergencies, as well as the ability to work with a diverse range of agencies and teams. Good IT skills are also essential.
The service is operated from 5pm until 9am, and 24 hours on weekends and bank holidays.
The role requires an experience Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) and Children Social worker.
Located in the heart of South London, Lambeth Borough is a vibrant community. Stretching from the dynamic neighbourhood of Streatham in the South to the iconic landmarks of Waterloo in the North, we are proud to be the 9th largest borough in London. Our diversity is our strength, with more than 130 languages spoken, making Lambeth the home of the Windrush generation, London's largest LGBTQ+ community, and a thriving Portuguese-speaking community.
With exceptional schools, lush green spaces including Brockwell Park, cultural gems like the Black Cultural Archives, and world-renowned institutions such as St Thomas's Hospital, Lambeth offers an enriching and dynamic environment. The Civic Centre is just a short walk from the main underground and train station.
“Lambeth – a borough with social and climate justice at its heart. By harnessing the power and pride of our people and partnerships, we will proactively tackle inequalities so that children and young people can have the best start in life and so everyone can feel safe and thrive in a place of opportunity.”
In Lambeth, we offer our social workers: