Urgent out of hours help
The Emergency Duty Team (EDT) runs out of hours support for situations that don't require 999 services. If you believe someone is in danger, or their life is at risk – call 999.
EDT works with:
- Children in need of protection
- People with mental health problems who may be at risk to themselves or others
- Older people with care and support needs who need urgent help which cannot wait until our usual opening hours
- Adults at risk of abuse and neglect
- People with a disability who need urgent access to social care services
- Police to help adults and young people with care and support needs
- Families in emergencies
- Health services
For example, we:
- Help children and young people at risk of immediate family breakdown. We work to prevent them going into public care.
- Help families find new ways of dealing with difficult situations
- Work with doctors to carry out emergency Mental Health Act assessments
- Give emergency telephone support to carers and families dealing with mental health emergencies
- Help older people and other adults with care and support needs to stay in their homes and, where safe, not use residential or nursing care
When we're open
We are open:
- Monday to Thursday from 5pm to 9am the following morning
- From 4.35pm on Friday through to 9am the following Monday morning
- All day (24 hours) on bank holidays
How to contact us
Contact us on 0344 800 8020.
A call handler will answer your call. They'll take your details and discuss the reason for your call so they can find out how urgent it is.
Depending on your situation, they might do one of the following:
- Pass your details onto a qualified social worker from the EDT
- Signpost you to other agencies
- Refer your situation to one of the daytime social care teams for follow up at a later date
People in high-risk situations will always receive a priority service. At busy times there may be a delay before someone gets back to you.