Children’s Emergency Duty Team Designated Worker

Hackney’s Children & Families Service is now recruiting two experienced social workers to join our Emergency Duty Team (EDT). Our EDT operates beyond regular working hours, where the EDT workers are employed to work in accordance to a shift pattern which includes evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays, providing critical services and support to children and families where it would not be safe, appropriate or lawful to delay that intervention to the next working day.

As a Children’s EDT designated social worker, you will be expected to triage all emergency children’s safeguarding referrals received whilst on duty (if necessary, in conjunction with agencies such as the police and other emergency services). This will include holding strategy discussions when concerns regarding significant harm. You will also be required to analyse, summarise and evaluate information received out of hours in order to arrange interim support with the aim to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, and/or take action to ensure the safety of the child.

The EDT designated social worker will act as the corporate parent on behalf of the local authority to ensure the well-being of looked after children. Support and advice will also be given to families in cases of urgency. You will be closely aligned with day time services to ensure smooth handover of information.

To be considered for this exciting opportunity, it is essential that you have a social work qualification or equivalent and are registered with Social Work England. You will also have proven post qualifying experience working with Children’s Social Care.

You will be required to work with a high degree of autonomy and flexibility. You will be working remotely but expected to occasionally travel to the offices in Hackney. You will also need to be aligned with Hackney’s values and act in an anti-racist, trauma informed and systemic approach when undertaking duties and interacting with service users.

An enhanced DBS check is required for this role.

Hackney is one of the UK’s highest performing local authorities, serving one of London’s best places to live and work. We have achieved a huge amount: our services, our schools, our public spaces are all amongst the very best. We have changed the reputation, not just of the Council, but of Hackney itself. Bringing jobs and investment into the borough and making this a place we can all be proud of.

If you want to work in a place where you can represent our values so we achieve the best for our residents, please click on the apply button below.

The recruitment process is anonymous. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CVs.

When applying, there will be a number of questions relating to the post on the application form. It is essential that you complete the application questions, responding to each using examples of your skills, knowledge and experience.

We will not accept applications where Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been used to assist with completing the competency questions or any part of the application form.

This application process replaces a supporting statement.

We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud; a place that celebrates diversity and where everyone can feel valued, included and involved. In order to achieve this, we look for people who are: Proud; Ambitious; Pioneering; Open; Proactive; Inclusive.

Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.

The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available.

Closing date for applications: 9 April 2024 (22:59).

Assessment date: 1 May 2024.