Practice Consultant

CEMP; Norwich; Hybrid; GBP 43,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Norwich seeks a Practice Consultant to join its Emergency Duty Team, responsible for responding to out-of-hours emergencies in adult and child social care. Candidates should have at least three years of post-qualification experience and be registered with the relevant social work authority. The role offers a competitive salary, flexible working options, and a comprehensive benefits package including health services and a local government pension scheme.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Generous holiday entitlement

Health and Wellbeing services

Flexible working opportunities

Local Government Pension Scheme

Relocation expenses

Qualifications

• Experience with adult and child social care is preferred.
• Being an Approved Mental Health Professional is advantageous.
• Candidates must demonstrate strong written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Respond to emergencies requiring immediate attention.
• Conduct Mental Health Act Assessments.
• Work autonomously during overnight shifts.

Skills

Communication skills

Triage and risk assessment

IT proficiency

Education

Registered with Social Work England or HCPC

Minimum 3 years post-qualifying experience

Job description

Practice Consultant | 8652 | Permanent contract | £43,822 to £48,227 per annum (Scale K) | 37 hours per week | County Hall, Norwich

We offer a £2000 welcome payment for qualified and experienced Social Workers/Occupational Therapists (grade J and above), Practice Consultants and Team Managers new to Norfolk County Council. Amount to be repaid in full should they leave within two years of employment.

Who Cares? We do.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our service. The Emergency Duty Team is a small bespoke service that responds to emergencies out of hours. As a generic team, this includes adult social care, childcare and assessments under the Mental Health Act.

Being an Approved Mental Health Professional would be advantageous in relation to the Emergency Duty Teams statutory work under the Mental Health Act however, there will be the opportunity to train as an Approved Mental Health Professional if appointed to a post (which will be mandatory to work in the Emergency Duty Team). The Emergency Duty Team is a great opportunity for Social Workers to practice generically, utilising all skills and knowledge gained in your Social Work training. Help, support and training will be provided if your experience lays in either adult or child social care to learn other areas of practice.

The Emergency Duty Team responds to emergencies that cannot wait until the next working day. This may include Mental Health Act Assessments, child in need/child protection and adult safeguarding/supporting vulnerable people to remain at home via organising additional support etc. Ability to triage, risk assess and prioritise is important. Excellent communication skills in all forms are essential - this includes verbal, electronically and in writing. Being confident and competent in IT is also essential as this is a key method of communicating work to daytime colleagues.

Whilst there is a management support 24/7, overnight shifts require skill and experience and ability to work autonomously at times, therefore it is a requirement you have a minimum of 3 years post qualifying experience and have obtained your first year ASYE/NIPE as a newly qualified Social Worker.

As the Emergency Duty Team covers over 126hrs a week, the shifts are of varying hours of evening/nights during the week and days/evening/nights at weekends. We also cover Bank Holidays, which is paid at double time and there is an enhancement for weekend working (a third on top of your main salary).

What We Offer

At Norfolk County Council we are committed to our employees learning and development. We offer all Social Workers and Occupational Therapists a protected half day per month for continuing professional development and training.

We want our people to be inspired and motivated to work well together, make the most of our workspaces, enjoy a healthy work-life balance, and deliver excellent services to Norfolk and its people. Flexibility is built into the way we work, with hybrid working a key feature for many roles. Our technology platform and equipment are first class, enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We ask that you have in place good Broadband connectivity.

We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.

You can also find out about the rewards and benefits we offer as well as our other terms and conditions.

Your application

Please ensure you include a statement in your application to demonstrate why you feel you meet the person specification and job description for this post. CVs submitted without a supporting statement about this post will not be accepted. You need to be registered with Social Work England/or HCPC as a practising social worker/Occupational Therapist.

To view further information regarding the vacancy please click on the link below or for an informal discussion please call either Team Managers: Janet Melville 01603 308658, Jo Felgate 01603 638216.

• Competitive salary
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Health and Wellbeing services including fast-track physiotherapy and a free counselling service
• Flexible working opportunities including flexi-time, part time, remote and hybrid working dependant on your job role and business need.
• Financial benefits such as: Norfolk Rewards our employee discounts programme which helps you save money on almost anything, from everyday groceries and clothes, to holidays, new technology, gym membership, trips to the cinema and days out.
• A Blue Light card for Fire Service and Social Care Workers
• Relocation expenses (where applicable)
• An advance of your expenses if you travel for work
• Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution, life assurance, death in service payments and dependants pensions.
• Tax efficient ways of getting extra pension and new bikes
• Access to our tax efficient car lease scheme for greener travel enabling you to lease a brand new, ultra-low emission vehicle (subject to eligibility)
• A payment if you refer someone you know to a hard to fill job

Before you apply, we recommend reading the full Job Description and Person Specification to help you demonstrate you meet the criteria. You can also find information on our Terms and Conditions here.

Already a Norfolk County Council employee? See and apply for internal and external vacancies in myOracle using your @norfolk.gov.uk or @nccal.ac.uk email.

We would like to make you aware that priority consideration for this post may be given to current employees who are at risk due to restructure within the organisation or are in a redeployment position.

Redeployment closing date: 22 December 2025 23:59

All other applicants closing date: 5 January 2026 23:59