Emergency Duty Service (EDS)

Our Emergency Duty Service (EDS) in social care provides an out-of-hours response to emergencies involving vulnerable individuals or families. The main purpose of the EDS is to ensure that urgent social care needs are met outside of regular office hours, such as nights, weekends, and public holidays.

Some examples of emergencies we respond to:

1. Child protection emergencies: Responding to reports of children at immediate risk of harm or neglect, such as cases of suspected abuse or abandonment.
2. Adult protection emergencies: Addressing situations where vulnerable adults, such as the elderly or individuals with disabilities, are at risk of harm or neglect.
3. Mental health crises: Providing support and intervention for individuals experiencing severe mental health crises that pose a risk to themselves or others.
4. Domestic violence incidents: Responding to domestic violence situations that require immediate intervention or temporary protection for victims.
5. Breakdown of care arrangements: Addressing situations where care arrangements for vulnerable individuals have broken down, requiring emergency alternative care or support.

The team operates on a rota system, with social workers and other professionals working shifts to ensure 24/7 coverage. We work closely with several different agencies, such as the police, schools, border force, hospitals, and others to coordinate responses and ensure that the safety, health and well-being of everyone, including children, are protected.