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1.6.1 EDT

SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER

This Chapter replaces the Emergency Out of Hours Service (EOOHS) procedure issued in April 2004

The Children’s Emergency Duty Team operates outside normal office hours and is managed by London Borough of Sutton on behalf of the Boroughs of Kingston, Merton Richmond and Sutton.

It is an emergency service in that the team remit is to respond to situations, which cannot wait until the social work offices re-open. The Team does not undertake any planned work or work ongoing at 5.00 pm.

The social workers are based at home.  Requests for their services are directed to the Security Staff at Sutton Civic Offices, who in turn notify the social worker on duty.  The service covers all referrals relating to children and families and also acts on behalf of the Homeless Families Units, making emergency accommodation placements. 

Referrals relating to adults are dealt with by the Adults EDT, which is managed on behalf of the four boroughs by London Borough of Richmond (adultsEDT@richmond.gov.uk  020 8744 2442).


Contents

  1. When should I Send a Report to the Team?
  2. What do I Include in the Report?
  3. How do I get my Report to the Team?

1. When should I Send a Report to the Team?

Situations where you think there is a significant chance that the care arrangements may break down, or you think that there is a likelihood of the team receiving a referral requiring some action out of hours.  (This is particularly important where the lack of knowledge could result in the emergency duty social worker taking some action, which may not be consistent with the work you are trying to achieve.)  It is also essential to warn about any situations where there may be a risk to the worker, or to any other person.


2. What do I Include in the Report?

Click here for a copy of the Report Form which can be forwarded to EDT.

Amount and type of information you provide will depend on the individual situation, but you should always consider including any of the following which may be relevant:

  • Full information on all relevant people e.g. family, carers (both informal and professional), and details of any of them who may be available to assist.
  • A risk assessment, both in relation to out of hours social work involvement and in relation to any other person (e.g. to client themselves, children).
  • Suggested course of action, or action to avoid, including stand-by options (e.g. foster carers, a residential placement, relatives).
  • Include an expiry date for the information and send an update if the information continues to be relevant after that date.

3. How do I get my Report to the Team?

  • Email to the Team childrensEDT@sutton.gov.uk
  • If the email system fails, up to 16.45 only by fax to the team administrator
  • After 17.00 by contacting the duty social worker via the Security Service. The social worker will call you back and discuss your information and how it may be transmitted to the team, if necessary.

Click here for a copy of the Report format from EDT.

End