Job Description

Practice Consultant | 8652 | Permanent contract | £42,463 to £46,732 per annum (Scale K) | 37 hours per week | County Hall, Norwich

We offer a £2000 welcome payment for qualified and experienced Social Workers/Occupational Therapists (grade J and above), Practice Consultants and Team Managers new to Norfolk County Council. Amount to be repaid in full should they leave within two years of employment.

Who Cares? We do.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our service. The Emergency Duty Team is a small bespoke service that responds to emergencies out of hours. As a generic team, this includes adult social care, childcare and assessments under the Mental Health Act.

Being an Approved Mental Health Professional would be advantageous in relation to the Emergency Duty Teams statutory work under the Mental Health Act; however, there will be the opportunity to train as an Approved Mental Health Professional if appointed to a post (which will be mandatory to work in the Emergency Duty Team). The Emergency Duty Team offers a great opportunity for Social Workers to practice generically, utilizing all skills and knowledge gained in your Social Work training. Help, support and training will be provided if your experience is in either adult or child social care to learn other areas of practice.

The Emergency Duty Team responds to emergencies that cannot wait until the next working day. This may include Mental Health Act Assessments, child in need/child protection and adult safeguarding/supporting vulnerable people to remain at home via organizing additional support, etc. Ability to triage, risk assess and prioritize is important. Excellent communication skills in all forms are essential - this includes verbal, electronic and written communication. Being confident and competent in IT is also essential as this is a key method of communicating work to daytime colleagues.

Whilst there is management support 24/7, overnight shifts require skill and experience and the ability to work autonomously at times. Therefore, it is a requirement that you have a minimum of 3 years post-qualifying experience and have obtained your first year ASYE/NIPE as a newly qualified Social Worker.

As the Emergency Duty Team covers over 126 hours a week, the shifts are of varying hours including evenings, nights during the week, and days, evenings, nights at weekends. We also cover Bank Holidays, which are paid at double time, and there is an enhancement for weekend working (a third on top of your main salary).

What We Offer

At Norfolk County Council, we are committed to our employees’ learning and development. We offer all Social Workers and Occupational Therapists a protected half day per month for continuing professional development and training.

We want our people to be inspired and motivated to work well together, make the most of our workspaces, enjoy a healthy work-life balance, and deliver excellent services to Norfolk and its people. Flexibility is built into the way we work, with hybrid working a key feature for many roles. Our technology platform and equipment are first class, enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We ask that you have good Broadband connectivity.

We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for similar positions.

You can also find out about the rewards and benefits we offer, as well as our other terms and conditions.

Your application

Please include a statement in your application demonstrating why you feel you meet the person specification and job description for this post. CVs submitted without a supporting statement will not be accepted. You must be registered with Social Work England/or HCPC as a practicing social worker/Occupational Therapist.

For further information regarding the vacancy, click the link below or for an informal discussion, call either Team Manager: Janet Melville 01603 308658, or Jo Felgate 01603 638216.

Benefits include:

• Competitive salary
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Health and Wellbeing services including physiotherapy and counselling
• Flexible working opportunities including flexi-time, part-time, remote and hybrid working
• Financial benefits such as employee discounts, Blue Light card, relocation expenses, and more

Before applying, read the full Job Description and Person Specification and our Terms and Conditions. Existing Norfolk County Council employees can apply through myOracle.

Priority consideration may be given to current employees at risk due to restructure or in redeployment. Redeployment closing date: 28 July 2025 at 23:59. All other applicants: 4 August 2025 at 23:59.

About Norfolk: We have miles of coastline, thriving towns, and a city with a rich cultural heritage. Our economy is growing, and we have ambitious development plans. Norfolk is a great place to live, work, and visit.