Job title: Senior Social Worker

Salary: PO3 £42,839 – £46,142 (Plus AMHP Increment and 20% unsociable Hours) pro rata

Hours: 37

Contract: Permanent

Location: Becklin Centre

Adults Emergency Duty Team – Out of Hours

We have an exciting opportunity for a qualified Social Worker with current AMHP status who is actively practising as an AMHP to join our stable and supportive Out of Hours Emergency Duty Team (EDT).

The Leeds Adults Emergency Duty Team delivers high‑quality social work and AMHP services from 4:30pm to 8:00am Monday to Friday, with 24‑hour cover across weekends and bank holidays. You will be part of a rota working a fixed shift pattern, including waking night shifts. Please note that this role is not suitable for those who may struggle with night work.

This role is integral to the Leeds Mental Health Unit, where the team is co‑located with health colleagues within an acute inpatient hospital. This collaborative approach enables us to meet the statutory responsibilities of the local authority while delivering a holistic, person‑centred service. The role includes responding to care management and safeguarding emergencies, as well as undertaking Mental Health Act assessments in a variety of settings, including Section 136 suites for both adults and children.

You will be well supported through:

Access to on‑call senior management
Clear systems and processes to access resources and carry out statutory duties
A highly supportive EDT AMHP group chat, providing peer advice and support during complex cases

About the Role

As a Senior Social Worker / AMHP, you will:

Undertake crisis‑led social care, safeguarding, and Mental Health Act assessments
Make defensible decisions and maintain high‑quality recording
Work confidently under pressure, prioritising and delegating work appropriately
Consult, liaise, and negotiate with service users, carers, families, and professionals
Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team and wider partnership network
Demonstrate evidence‑based, person‑centred practice
Deliver services that are responsive to culture, gender, and family context

About You

Essential Requirements

Degree in Social Work
Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) status
Registered with Social Work England
Experience working with people in mental health crisis and at risk
Strong assessment and problem‑solving skills, particularly in emergency and crisis settings
Good written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work independently, show initiative, and contribute as a team player
Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities

Knowledge and Skills

Strong understanding of the legal frameworks underpinning social work and AMHP practice
Sound knowledge of mental health services and relevant legislation
Clear understanding of the EDT function and the AMHP role
Commitment to evidence‑based and reflective practice

Personal Attributes

Current UK driving licence and ability to navigate a large inner‑city area
Calm, confident, and compassionate when working with people in crisis
Reflective and thoughtful approach to problem solving
Sensitivity to the needs of diverse communities
Willingness to embrace change and contribute positively to service development

Pay and Benefits

Full‑time post (37 hours per week)
Salary: £42,839 – £46,142
20% unsocial hours enhancement on hours worked
AMHP increments (pro rata for part‑time staff)

About Leeds City Council

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 14,000 employees. We are committed to recruiting, developing, and supporting talented individuals who reflect our values and ambitions and who are passionate about making a difference.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete an Expression of Interest form of no more than 500 words.

Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role, please contact Blessing Chinemelu blessing.chinemelu@leeds.gov.uk

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visaroute before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose - Adults Emergency Duty Team – Out of Hours

We have an exciting opportunity for a qualified Social Worker with current AMHP status who is actively practising as an AMHP to join our stable and supportive Out of Hours Emergency Duty Team (EDT).

You will be well supported through:

Access to on‑call senior management
Clear systems and processes to access resources and carry out statutory duties
A highly supportive EDT AMHP group chat, providing peer advice and support during complex case

Responsibilities Role specific responsibilities

As a Senior Social Worker / AMHP, you will:

Undertake crisis led social care, safeguarding, and Mental Health Act assessments
Make robust, defensible decisions and ensure high‑quality case recording
Work confidently under pressure, prioritising and delegating tasks appropriately based on priority and urgency
Consult, liaise, and negotiate effectively with service users, carers, families, and partner professionals
Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team and across the wider partnership network
Apply evidence‑based, person‑centred practice

Qualifications any qualifications for the role

Degree in Social Work
Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP)

Essential requirements Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the following essential requirements.

Registered with Social Work England
Experience working with people in mental health crisis, social care emergencies and adult safeguarding
Strong assessment and problem‑solving skills, particularly in emergency and crisis settings
Good written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work independently, show initiative, and contribute as a team player
Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities
Strong understanding of the legal frameworks underpinning social work and AMHP practice
Sound knowledge of mental health services and relevant legislation
Clear understanding of the EDT function and the AMHP role
Commitment to evidence‑based and reflective practice
Current UK driving licence and ability to navigate a large inner‑city area
Calm, confident, and compassionate when working with people in crisis
Reflective and thoughtful approach to problem solving
Sensitivity to the needs of diverse communities
Willingness to embrace change and contribute positively to service development

Essential behavioural and other characteristics

Understand and embrace Leeds City Council values and behaviours and codes of conduct
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Leeds Ambitions of health and wellbeing, inclusive growth, thriving strong communities, and a resilient sustainable city
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures
Carry out duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding equality and diversity of Leeds City Council
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters