Children’s Emergency Duty Team Designated Worker – Children & Families Service

Hackney’s Children & Families Service are now recruiting an experienced social worker 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.

As a Council, our most outstanding asset is our staff, who are highly dedicated to serving our residents and committed to our goals as an organisation.

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.

We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CV’s.

To proceed with your application, you will need to create an account and submit your application.

As part of the application process, you will need to complete a number of competency based questions. These questions allow you to demonstrate your suitability for the role and provide examples of your skills, knowledge and experience outlined in the job description. 

We understand the benefits of using AI in the workplace. However, if you are thinking of using this tool to submit your application, we ask you to think about what value it will add. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.

This application process replaces a supporting statement.

Closing date for applications: 25 May 2026 (22:59)

Interview date: W/c 08 June 2026

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: hackneyworks@hackney.gov.uk

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