• Job Description

  Req#: F0028-25-0004?language=en&page=271&sort=publicationDateDesc

  Job summary

  Are you a dynamic leader with a passion for social care? Bracknell Forest Council is seeking a Head of Berkshire Emergency Duty Service to oversee the delivery and coordination of statutory social care during out-of-hours operations across all six unitary authorities of Berkshire. This role requires a comprehensive understanding of diverse community needs and the ability to manage complex service delivery for a large and varied population.

  You will have a social work qualification with valid Social Work England registration, as well as extensive experience of legislation, policy and statutory requirements relating to Children, Adults, Mental Health and Housing.

  You will also have a track record of achievement at senior management level and experience of operational services in a large complex social care, health or other relevant setting.

  Main duties of the job

  • Lead the Emergency Duty Service (EDS) in fulfilling duties under the Children Act 1989 and associated legislation.
  • Provide leadership for Mental Health services for both children and adults, ensuring compliance with the Mental Health Act 1983 (2007) and relevant case law.
  • Deliver Adult Social Care services in accordance with the Care Act 2014 and other relevant legislation.
  • Oversee out-of-hours housing and homelessness services as stipulated in the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
  • Manage the provision of an out-of-hours Appropriate Adult service for young people and vulnerable adults in police custody.
  • Provide expert strategic leadership on statutory functions and professional practice in relation to both vulnerable children and adults.
  • Support the transformation of the Emergency Duty Service to deliver improvements and efficiencies.
  • Develop and implement strategic and operational plans in collaboration with service colleagues and senior leaders.
  • Make independent decisions impacting daily operations and strategic direction.
  • Ensure the service is adequately staffed 24/7 and meets all contractual arrangements, regulations and health and safety requirements.
  • Successful management of significant organisational change, including culture change, change management programs and project management.

  About us

  We are deeply committed to the wellbeing of Berkshire residents, and our dedicated out-of-hours social care team plays a crucial role in safeguarding some of our most vulnerable community members. Our specialist team includes Approved Mental Health Professionals, Senior Social Workers (Childrens Services), Adult Safeguarding Care Coordinators and Call Screening Officers. Collaborating closely with health professionals, the police, and families, we provide vital support and intervention for individuals facing social care crises outside regular hours.

  The Berkshire Emergency Duty Service (hosted by Bracknell Forest Council) provides unique, out-of-hours emergency social care across the entire Berkshire region. We take pride in our community, the care we deliver and the meaningful partnerships we have built with key stakeholders. However, we are always striving to improve, giving our team the time, support and resources to do their best work while also shaping the future of the service.

  This is an exciting time to join the team. Following a recent service restructuring, EDS has been recognised as a safe and effective service that safeguards children and vulnerable adults, earning positive feedback from Ofsted and CQC. Our team is a diverse group of highly skilled professionals, each an expert in their respective fields, working together to deliver expert crisis intervention and specialised social care.

  Details

  Date posted

  02 May 2025

  Pay scheme

  Other

  Salary

  £80,124 to £87,321 a year

  Contract

  Permanent

  Working pattern

  Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working

  Reference number

  F0028-25-0004

  Job locations

  Time Square

  Market Street

  Bracknell

  Berkshire

  RG12 1JD

  
  

  Berkshire Emergency Duty Service

  Waterside Park

  Bracknell

  RG12 1JD

  
  

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  Please see attached job description and person specification for further details in regards to the Head of Berkshire Emergency Duty Service and Bracknell Forest Council Out of Hours vacancy.

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  Please see attached job description and person specification for further details in regards to the Head of Berkshire Emergency Duty Service and Bracknell Forest Council Out of Hours vacancy.

  Person Specification

  Qualifications

  Essential

  • Please see attached job description and person specification for further details in regards to the Head of Berkshire Emergency Duty Service and Bracknell Forest Council Out of Hours vacancy.

  Person Specification

  Qualifications

  Essential

  • Please see attached job description and person specification for further details in regards to the Head of Berkshire Emergency Duty Service and Bracknell Forest Council Out of Hours vacancy.

  Disclosure and Barring Service Check

  This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

  UK Registration

  Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

  Additional information

  Disclosure and Barring Service Check

  This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

  UK Registration

  Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

  Employer details

  Employer name

  Bracknell Forest Council

  Address

  Time Square

  Market Street

  Bracknell

  Berkshire

  RG12 1JD

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

  Employer details

  Employer name

  Bracknell Forest Council

  Address

  Time Square

  Market Street

  Bracknell

  Berkshire

  RG12 1JD

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

• About the company

  National Health Service (NHS) is the umbrella term for the publicly-funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom (UK). The founding principles were that services should be comprehensive, universal and free at the point of delivery—a health service based on clinical need, not ability to pay. Each service provides a comprehensive range of health services, free at the point of use for people ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom apart from dental treatment and optical care.

Notice