Social Worker/AMHP (Emergency Duty Team)

Posted 20th Aug, 2025
Location
Lambeth
Salary/rate
£49,638 – £52,674
Working pattern
Full-time – 35 hours per week
Working arrangements
Blended
Contract type
Permanent
Closing date
7th Sep, 2025
About the role

Social Worker/AMHP (2 Posts)

Emergency Duty Team (EDT), Children’s Social Care

PO4: £49,638 pa rising in annual increments to £52674 pa incl. LW, plus 20% for out of hours and an additional and £3000 AMHP allowance

Full Time / Permanent

We are looking for Social Workers who are Approved Mental Health Practitioner (AMHP)  and have experience in Children Social Care.

At Lambeth, our practice is rooted in building strong relationships, supporting meaningful change for families, and promoting the wellbeing and development of both children and adults. We believe this is best achieved through open, collaborative work with families and children.

The Out of Hours Social Work Team responds to all social services emergencies and statutory duties that arise outside of standard office hours. The team conducts initial assessments of presenting situations and implements safe, practical solutions until daytime services can follow up. This includes undertaking Mental Health Act Assessments under the Mental Health Act.

An Emergency Duty Social Worker (EDSW) is a specialized professional who responds to urgent or crisis situations outside of normal working hours—typically evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays working on a rota basis.

These social workers provide critical, immediate support to individuals or families facing emergencies involving child protection, adult safeguarding, mental health crises, domestic violence, or other urgent welfare issues. 

Are you a qualified social worker looking for a rewarding role where you can make a real difference in crisis situations then join our Emergency Duty Team to provide vital support and protection to vulnerable children and adults outside of normal working hours. The service operates from 5pm to 9am on weekdays, and 24 hours on weekends and bank holidays.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Respond to crisis calls from police, hospitals, the public, or other agencies.
  • Conduct risk assessments to determine the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable individuals (especially children and at-risk adults).
  • Conduct AMHP Assessment out in the community
  • Make emergency decisions, such as arranging foster care placements, hospital admissions, or emergency protective orders.
  • Work with multi-agency partners (e.g., Police, healthcare, housing services) to ensure immediate and appropriate action.
  • Maintain accurate records of incidents and decisions made during out-of-hours service.
  • Follow up by handing over cases to daytime social work teams for continued support and assessment.
  • Working remotely and undertaking child welfare visits to homes, hospitals, or police stations during duty shifts.
About you

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

To 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. 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.

About Lambeth

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.”

Lambeth 2030 (Borough Plan)

In Lambeth, we offer our social workers:

  • Fantastic, modern working environment in the award-winning Lambeth Town Hall and Civic Centre buildings
  • Competitive Salary, often including a generous market supplement (depending on the role)
  • Up to 35 days annual leave, dependent upon continuous service
  • 5 Minutes from London Underground and excellent transport links into the centre of London
  • Hybrid/Flexible working
  • Cycle to Work Scheme (including City Bike Hire scheme)
  • Attractive Local Government Pension Scheme
  • A permanent senior leadership team in QA
  • Manageable caseloads that enable connection with families